LOCATION: Aquas Calientes, Machu Picchu Citadel
It should be ALL ABOUT ME - cause it is my birthday! Best gift ever however, is that I feel 7 out of 10 and almost human ready to face the day. Not interested in, or game to try breakfast, but feel that I am holding it together. Bring on the blue Gatorade.
Another day of scheduling was ahead - glad @Mac has his $15 kmart watch because all we seem to do is watch the time! Needed to be at the hotel checkout at 5.50 am for the 6 pickup and the 6.52 delivery to the train for the 7.22 departure for the 10 am entry to Circuit 2. Phew. We made it. And, just for a ligh, worth noting that the train departed exactly at 7.22!
And if you think the list of times is a challenge - you should see the tickets! So much paperwork. All bits and chits that have to be stamped and scanned - it sort of creates work for the population no doubt. My dilemma was that my tickets had been issued with my old passport number on them - so there was,a little flurry of anxiety as adjustments and reissues were made.
Not that we are ever on our own! Adventure World is the company on the ground in South America who have been looking after us. Messages of reminders come in with What's App, drivers are present at every stop, associates turn up to walk and escort us from A to B and guides paint the pictures of the journey. In the chaos of life on the road, this team has been an endless stream of support. Today's connections, in thess crowds would have been a definite challenge without the stream of people who got us from one entrance to the next. Glad we are not wasting any energy on working out the details of how things work!
The Adventure
What a day. Exhilarating. One of those remember forever sort of deals.
I love how confident we are now is just walking away, knowing somehow it will all work out. Just rolled our suitcases into the foyer, took a photo and know that someone will pick it up and deliver it to Cusco. We had an overnighter in Machu Picchu and were toting just a backpack with the all-weather essentials.
Did the 40 minute crawling drive through the mountain roads and were surprised at how much activity was already in evidence - stalls setup, people working - every house seems to have a shop or business out the front. And of course, dogs everywhere. The scenery is continues to be spectacular - the sharp ridges lined in every shade of green, impissibly plummet to the valleys and settle into a plain filled with human activity.
Our driver made a stop to pick up the assistant who would navigate the train station with us. He had an ipad with photos on it and with the aid of the visuals stepped us through the journey ahead.
I am a sucker for a train ride and this was magic amd had hype from the beginning. Music, a costumed parade to lead you to your carriage, dancing and the obligatory tickets stamp, scan and check multiple times for boarding.
Settled in your seat the fun continues - the welcome aboard bouquets of herbs were accompanied by "included" drinks, snacks and chocolate. Welcome ceremonies, blessings, music, cocoa leaves, commentary, bird calls - it was non stop. And that was just the background to the view from the 360 windows of the train.
This was a postcard perfect view of the jagged snow topped ridgelines of the Andes contrasted with the broiling rapids of the mud filled Urubamba River that twisted and turned with the railway line. Breathtaking! And, we had the side of the train that was above the river. Toot toot for us! Felt we had to take 2 million photos in case we will be on the "other side" for the return journey.
Yep, met at the station for someone to take our backpacks, located the next ticket we would need and then walk us the 50 metres to join the queue for the buses.
Access to the citadel is only via this bus ride. For those who have been, you know the journey. For those who haven't, you can't imagine it!
The bus ride up feels like a slow-motion thrill ride. The narrow road clings to the mountainside, twisting through sharp switchbacks with nothing but steep and i mean STEEP drops into the valley below. Not sure how two buses fit side by side here - all I know is that you feel like you are hanging over the edge when they do pass. The Urubamba River glints far beneath you, a constant reminder of just how high you’re climbing.
Each bend seems tighter than the last - @Mac said he was going to count them - but so many I think he must have lost concentration. It’s a short ride, but the sheer drops, blind corners, and sense of being suspended between mountain and river make you wonder how you ever got on this bus and trusted a stranger to drive you! Can only hope he's having a great day!
Of course, there is an assistant waiting for us as we get off the bus to walk us to the next meet up point to connect with our guide. Nothing was left to chance. We did marvel at the line of people, ready with their 2 sols lined up for the loo. At 6 500 visitors a day - these loo guys are making a motza.
Our guide was @Roger. Top notch. Paced our Circuit 2 stroll perfectly for us. Filled our stroll with both detail and patches of silence that enabled us to learn and "to be."
Sort of other worldly. A stone fortress suspended between a mountain top and a ribbon of river below. Lush green for us under blue clouded skies - it couldn't have been more perfect. And, I was enjoying all of this wearing my new birthday baby alpaca woven hat!
Loved every step and corner and story but admit after 2.5 hours of walking, we were relieved to see the exit gate.
Did need to join the seemingly endless bus line for the return white knickle ride and settled into the Inkaterra Restaurant for lunch. Again, not a lot of enthusiasm for the food on offer - did want the loo, but despite not needing 2 soks for entry, predictably it was two flights of stairs downstairs! I dared to indulge in food for the first time in two days, @Mac was on board, but @Deb and @Lloyd succumbing to the fuzzy tummy rumbles.
We were comfortably set up in ElMapi by 3 pm (again, escorted on the walk by an assistant) for the obligatory afternion nap and recovery session.
Birthday dinner was in ElMapi and it was a subdued celebration accompanied by some modifications for the plans for tomorrow. The appetite for food and heights seem to be dwindling although @Mac and I are committed to another session with @Roger to take on Circuit 3.
Can you believe this?
🌟 Amazing Facts About Machu Picchu from Co-Pilot
- Hidden from the Spanish
Unlike many Inca cities, Machu Picchu was never found by Spanish conquistadors, which is why it remains so well-preserved.
- Rediscovered in 1911
American explorer Hiram Bingham brought Machu Picchu to international attention after locals guided him to the site.
Built Without Wheels or Iron Tools
The Incas carved and transported massive stones using only simple tools and human labor—no wheels, draft animals, or iron.
- Astronomical Alignment
The Temple of the Sun is precisely aligned with the June solstice sunrise, showing the Incas’ advanced knowledge of astronomy.
- Terrace Engineering
The agricultural terraces not only grew crops but also prevented landslides by stabilizing the mountain slopes.
- Sacred Geography
Machu Picchu sits between two sacred peaks—Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain—and is believed to have been chosen for its spiritual significance.
- Size of the Site
The citadel covers 259 square kilometers, with around 200 structures including temples, residences, and ceremonial spaces.
- Mystery of Its Purpose
Scholars debate whether it was a royal estate for Emperor Pachacuti, a religious retreat, or an astronomical observatory.
Survival Barometer
Steps 13 799
Weather 14 degrees - no rain until we were safely in restaurant
Health - all experiencing tummy troubles
For Jesse: my birthday stop, Machu Picchu
"I can build just like the Incas!"
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