Machu Picchu. We've all known these two small words of Quechua language since quite young age, and for those who love to wander the world (like us!), this place has always been in our traveler dreams. The ruins seating on the top of the mountain are a must-go-place on South America!
Since it was first revealed to the rest of the world by the American Hiram Bingham in 1911, Machu Picchu has received an increasingly number of visitors reaching the peak of about 400.000 people a year. Although we wanted to get up there and discover a magical unique place, we both were concerned that either the whole vibe behind the Machu Picchu was misleading or that the hordes of tourists would spoil the place. We were prepared for a disappointment.
So you can imagine both our excitement and uneasiness when we've finally found ourselves on the mini-bus on the way to the top of Machu Pichhu.
Since it was first revealed to the rest of the world by the American Hiram Bingham in 1911, Machu Picchu has received an increasingly number of visitors reaching the peak of about 400.000 people a year. Although we wanted to get up there and discover a magical unique place, we both were concerned that either the whole vibe behind the Machu Picchu was misleading or that the hordes of tourists would spoil the place. We were prepared for a disappointment.
So you can imagine both our excitement and uneasiness when we've finally found ourselves on the mini-bus on the way to the top of Machu Pichhu.
On a previous post about the Sacred Valley of the Incas, we've already explained how we decided to get to Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo, the little town that gives access to the ruins.
The last segment of our trip was the train from Ollanta to Machu Picchu. We had chosen the "Expedition" train, the cheapest train available from Peru Rail, which is still considered luxurious (and for us, expensive!). At least the ride was pleasant with comfortable seats, air conditioning, snacks and drinks serving and the best feature: the panoramic windows on the top of the train that allowed great views to the surrounding mountains.
The last segment of our trip was the train from Ollanta to Machu Picchu. We had chosen the "Expedition" train, the cheapest train available from Peru Rail, which is still considered luxurious (and for us, expensive!). At least the ride was pleasant with comfortable seats, air conditioning, snacks and drinks serving and the best feature: the panoramic windows on the top of the train that allowed great views to the surrounding mountains.
As soon as you get to Aguas Calientes, the tourist exploitation begins! Everything was much more expensive than anywhere else in Peru, it is full of 5 stars hotels and luxurious restaurants –while the everyday people live in different conditions across the street. We were lucky to have chosen a budget hostel which was located on the most modest neighborhood of the village, called Las Orquideas, where most of the locals live. In the evening, it was very interesting to see how the sports ground -made with synthetic grass- got full of people of all ages playing all kind of sports. It actually became our nigh pastime to check entire families playing with each other (and we cheered for them!) .
On the big day we got up early trying to avoid the masses of tourists to Machu Picchu. We had to pay an extra bus which lead to the ruins of Machu Picchu (20 min ride), besides the entry fee which we had already acquired in Cusco – the entry fee was 40 € each! Inside you can hire a guide, for extra euros (didn't I say you can spend a lot of money in Machu Picchu? :])
On the bus we were feeling like we were being taken to the middle of the jungle, driving always further up to the top. Little droplets of rain started to fall, creating a mist in the air as we went up, there were clouds all over the mountain peaks and it seemed ghostly and unreal. Soon the Machu Picchu was about to reveal to us and show us if our fears were unfounded.
On the bus we were feeling like we were being taken to the middle of the jungle, driving always further up to the top. Little droplets of rain started to fall, creating a mist in the air as we went up, there were clouds all over the mountain peaks and it seemed ghostly and unreal. Soon the Machu Picchu was about to reveal to us and show us if our fears were unfounded.
We entered the gates and started to climb the stairs in front of us, eager to see the famous ruins. It was then when we looked right, behind a house, and there it was! Hidden away, tucked in in a valley between the green mountains, the forgotten city.
It was worth it!
It was worth it!
Not only the ruins itself are marvelous by its dimensions and quality of construction, but the place were they sit is truly amazing. It is like a paradise on the top of the clouds, literately! No wonder the Inca chose this place and that many people still consider the place to have some kind of supernatural vibe!
Other incredible dimension of Machu Picchu is its particular history. As of today we still do not know what was its purpose: was it a royal retreat or a place for sacred religious rituals? Or was it truly the last Inca retreat? Undeniable is the importance that it had at some point, due to its dimension and fine architecture.
Another fact we learned is why it wasn't discovered by the Spanish upon the conquest and therefore is preserved to date.
The paths leading to it were hidden, as well as the village itself. Either it was already abandoned by the time or it was purposely cut-off from the world - perhaps we will never know which one was true.
One last curiosity about Machu Picchu is how it was discovered. There are several western figures that claim to have found the ruins first, but it was Bingham who kind of stumbled upon the ruins and revealed the fact to the world. In fact the location was known by local people who led Bingham to it when he was exploring the region.
Other incredible dimension of Machu Picchu is its particular history. As of today we still do not know what was its purpose: was it a royal retreat or a place for sacred religious rituals? Or was it truly the last Inca retreat? Undeniable is the importance that it had at some point, due to its dimension and fine architecture.
Another fact we learned is why it wasn't discovered by the Spanish upon the conquest and therefore is preserved to date.
The paths leading to it were hidden, as well as the village itself. Either it was already abandoned by the time or it was purposely cut-off from the world - perhaps we will never know which one was true.
One last curiosity about Machu Picchu is how it was discovered. There are several western figures that claim to have found the ruins first, but it was Bingham who kind of stumbled upon the ruins and revealed the fact to the world. In fact the location was known by local people who led Bingham to it when he was exploring the region.
You have to climb – a lot – in the ruins, the whole premises are huge! "Those Incas should have been really fit people!" - we heard someone say! We heard the guides, one here and other there, “this rock was sculptured to imitate the mountain in front of you, this one emits strong energies and therefore cannot be touched” – which one was true, who cares, we came here to admire the ruins and imagine a lost time and civilization.
After exploring the ruins, a new challenge awaited! We had bought a ticket which allowed us to climb one of the mountains (you can climb either the Machu Picchu mountain or the Huayna Picchu, the second one you have to book months in advance!). So we climbed the Machu Picchu, the highest of the two and we suffered quite a bit climbing it! It is very steep, narrow, and seems endless. When we looked down below you could see all steps of the way – “If I fall do I die or do I just break every bone?”. Nice thoughts to have under the hot sun!
The summit was also visible, calling us all throughout the climb, promising us some shade and the desired view of the ruins! It took us about 2 hours and a lot of stops to get up there at 3082m above sea level. In the end it felt good to win it over!
You thought that at least climbing down was easy, right? No, the way down was almost as hard as going up, with all the uncountable steps that one was to overcome. We had jello legs for the next few days!…
After exploring the ruins, a new challenge awaited! We had bought a ticket which allowed us to climb one of the mountains (you can climb either the Machu Picchu mountain or the Huayna Picchu, the second one you have to book months in advance!). So we climbed the Machu Picchu, the highest of the two and we suffered quite a bit climbing it! It is very steep, narrow, and seems endless. When we looked down below you could see all steps of the way – “If I fall do I die or do I just break every bone?”. Nice thoughts to have under the hot sun!
The summit was also visible, calling us all throughout the climb, promising us some shade and the desired view of the ruins! It took us about 2 hours and a lot of stops to get up there at 3082m above sea level. In the end it felt good to win it over!
You thought that at least climbing down was easy, right? No, the way down was almost as hard as going up, with all the uncountable steps that one was to overcome. We had jello legs for the next few days!…
Afterwards we still had the strength to visit the Inca bridge which was believed to be a secret entrance to the Machu Picchu and was quite amazing! Another wonder of the Incan engineering - how were they able to pile up all those little stones in such a location??
It was then when we couldn't explore the ruins anymore. We felt tired but extremely pleased. Back in the hostel it was the chat of the day, “How was your climb? Where does it hurt the most? Did you enjoy it?”
In the end we can confirm: Machu Picchu is truly a great wonder of World.
In the end we can confirm: Machu Picchu is truly a great wonder of World.