So we went. I really like a citation from Tom „yeah it’s a lot of old stones, but you have to admit that the Incas really had a great taste for locations“.
MachuPicchu – Scientist believe it was kind of a resort for important Incas. I can understand that somehow.
They really had! We already found out when the minivan after a 8h journey from Cusco dropped us next to the old hydroelectric power plant from where you walk over train tracks to now officially MachuPicchu pueblo (formerly Aguas Calientes). The surrounding valley is characterized by very steep very green hills through which a torrential river is bitting its way (in 2010 the river rose that high that it was flooding Aguas Calientes and tourists had to be evacuated). After 3h (1h drizzle rain) we arrived in MachuPicchu pueblo, found a very affordable hotel, dinner and waited for the next day to come.
The official foot path to MachuPicchu, as the sign indicates.
The next day started as was to be expected: rainy. So we first headed out around 9 am and were lucky with the rain stopping when we arrived (by bus) at the gates to MachuPicchu. We climbed MachuPicchu mountain, went to the sun gate and the Inca bridge and walked around between the many old stones and after a short while had spend 6 h in this sight. The only real negative thing to say, you can’t buy food our drinks anywhere and we were starving after 4 h („yeah it’s really beautiful, but I am hungry“ and you are officially not allowed to bring food inside though nobody cares).
It’s a beautiful place, but why all this fuss about old stones?
And of course as with all beautiful places, you are never alone :).
The Inca bridge is to the far right (and closed for tourist because a few years ago one surprising fall down). The bigger wonder: where does it lead to?
I am hungry! Me too.
These funny fellows are actually at work. Job title: lawn-mower.
The amazing thing about this old stones is that they were worked to fit perfectly together and by that stand solid since Inca times.
At 4 pm we decided to head back, missing the stairs (right next to the hotel) and therefore enjoying bend for bend the beautiful nature around us. Though we didn’t felt the spirit of MachuPicchu as many before described to us we really enjoyed the trip, though I still think it’s a bit a rip off.
Around 3 pm the clouds rolled in, giving the sight an even more mysterious look.
The next day we took the train back and the only thing I can say about it. If you have the time, take the bus, more scenic, a lot cheaper but very slow.
Looks nice, but is just a crowded train without view.
