Ok, this is the big day!
It’s worth spending some time on just how complicated it is to get to Machu Picchu. It is located about 73 miles northwest of Cusco at about 8,000 feet elevation. Remember, Cusco is at 11,500 feet so we actually go downhill.
First, there’s the two day journey that starts in San Francisco, goes to Miami, then Lima, then Cusco. From Cusco you take a 2 hour bus journey to Ollantaytambo where you board the train at Ollanta Station which will take you to Aguas Calientes, the nearest town to Machu Picchu. This journey takes about 1.5 hours and winds through the Urubamaba Gorge. On the way you travel through some spectacular scenery. I found a convenient spot at the rear of the train to take a few shots of the mountains as we passed.
And, in the other direction, of the train carriage and our happy group of travellers.
Upon arrival at Aguas Calientes, we then boarded busses for the 30minute ride up to Machu Picchu. Much has been reported about this bus ride. It’s on dirt roads with sheer drops into the valley as we climb up to our destination. Complaints range from scary heights, motion sickness and crazy bus drivers. I found it quite a nice ride and certainly better than hiking up.
We arrived at the entrance of Machu Picchu and, conveniently, the entrance to our hotel for a night - the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge. This is the only hotel near the entrance so we were very fortunate to be able to stay there, especially since we could get early access to the site as well as stay after most of the crowds had disappeared.
No sooner had we arrived than off we went to explore.