An unbelievable day

Thursday, May 31, 2012
Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Peru
Today was the day we were really looking forward to - Machu Picchu. We didn't care what time we had to get up (5 AM). It was buffet breakfast at the hotel with a 7 AM pickup by Pilar and Wilbur. We went to Ollantaytambo to catch the train for the 1.5 hour, 27 mile ride to Machu Picchu City (formerly Aguas Calientes). This area is not as high as the Sacred Valley. Machu Picchu sits at approximately 8,000 feet. When we exited the train, there was a porter from our hotel waiting to take our two small bags since we were proceeding directly on the bus to Machu Picchu. The bus took about 30 minutes to get to the entrance gate. Pilar took us to the first viewpoint where Machu Picchu came into view. Words cannot describe the first glimpse of this Inca ruin. Phenomenal is what comes to mind. Our pictures will definitely speak louder than words. We spent about 4 hours walking the long route seeing every section of the ruins from the agriculture section to the urban section. We climbed up and down and back up again in order not to miss anything. Pilar related the history as it is known as well as relating some of her ideas from her extensive reading and studying of Inca history. After the tour we had lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge restaurant directly outside the entrance gates. We then took the bus down the hill and checked into our hotel, the Inkaterra. The hotel is in a rainforest setting and they actually have ecological walks during the day to see the birds, flowers, etc. Most are too early for us to get our tired legs moving. We plan to tour the town tomorrow. Had dinner at the hotel then returned to the room and lit a real wood fire to supplement the small space heater. This will be a day we will long remember.
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