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Blogs from Aguas Calientes, Cusco, Peru, South America
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April 24th 2013
We over-nighted at Aguas Calientes which I understand to be Hot Water - a bit of a mis-nomer as this turned out to be in short supply at our lodging; definity not what I was looking forward to at the end of our trek - we slept very soundly non the less. Hard to believe no Hot Water with the amount of hydro electricity in the area. Interesting place with a train line and frequent service running right through the centre of the town. A fleet of buses seemingly run non stop ferrying passengers to and from Matchu Picchu over a narrow gravel switch-back track.... read more
Aguas Calientes: Kind of Ironic Since it Was Pouring and the Agua was Rather Cold
Published: March 8th 2013South America » Peru » Cusco » Aguas Calientes
March 7th 2013
Yesterday was a day of travel. I met my tour organizer at 6:45 to head to the train station. Due to rains and landslides, the trains are unable to run for a good portion of the trip, so we were bussed over an hour to our train. Kind of makes me glad I didn't pop for the uber expensive Hiram Bingham train. Ok, so I am actually really glad I did not. On my tour yesterday someone who had just visited Machu Picchu told me that the best scenery was on the side of the train furthest from the station. Was my assigned seat there? As if! But, I was ready to sit and enjoy the ride when someone asked to switch to the same seat on the good side of the train. Why yes, I ... read more
Abandoned flight, up 48 hrs, altitude
Published: April 30th 2013South America » Peru » Cusco » Aguas Calientes
February 10th 2013
Well we finally made it into Cuzco. Our flight was at 5.20 am. But due to weather (low cloud) we couldnt land. But did have 3 attempts which was terrifying! Even Blair was afraid!!! So we returned back to Lima but had to wait on the Tarmac for 5 hours. Then at midday they combined our flight with another and set off again. Still a scarey flight. It was like being in a roller coaster flying around the hills of Cusco to set up for landing. Arrived bit missed our hotel transfer for the hotel as were supposed to land at 645. Sealed with a couple of taxi drivers and started our 1.5 hour drive to Ollyantamtambo. Amazing drive although altitude was just starting to get me. Either that or the lack of sleep. Peru is ... read more
February 4th 2013
We took at taxi to the town of Poroy, and boarded the 0745 Peru rail train to Agua Calientes ($68). Agua Calientes (aka Machu Picchu Pueblo) is the town at the foot of the mountain below Machu Picchu. There is no road to the town because of the extreme terrain, so there are only two options to getting to Machu Picchu, hike the Inca Trail for four days, or take the train. We would have loved to hike, but the trail is closed in Feb. for maintenance, and we just did not have the time off of work for another week of travel. The train ride is about 3 ½ hours through the most breathtaking scenery I have ever seen. The Sacred Valley that runs from Cuzco to Machu Picchu is about 70 miles, and is ... read more
December 22nd 2012
Weereens 'n vroeë oggend. Ons het die maintenance ou van die hostel betaal om ons stasie toe te vat. Die ou se kar was in 'n toestand. Dit het in gelek by die dak! Die stasie is in Poroy, so 15km buite Cusco. Wat 'n shithole, die dorpie. Die stasie was baie mooi. Die Expedition trein van Peru Rail was baie nice. Die dak se hoeke is venster sodat jy die berge mooi kan sien. Die rit was net baie skutterig gewees en die been spasie non existing. Maar die natuurskoon was ongelooflik mooi gewees! Aguascallientes is net 'n toeriste dorpie. Sabie en Graskop het niks teen die plek nie. Ons moes 'n moerse bult uitstap met ons backpack om by die hostel uit te kom. Dit voel soos 'n gauntlet wat jy hardloop. As dit ... read more
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October 26th 2012
We got up at 4.45 and were waiting in line at the bus station by 5.25 along with many others. The bus drive up to Machu Picchu takes 30 minutes winding its way up the mountain around hairpin bends with sheer drops of 100's of feet a bit of a roller coaster of a ride. We saw the sun rise above the mountain and enjoyed the peace and quiet of few tourists. Sat and munched a packed breakfast on one of the terraces of the inca temple just watching the llama's and swift's flying around having their breakfast dining on the insects. We eventually had to come down and and feeling very tired we showered and went for a walk, the hotel would deliver the bags to the train station.Lunch at El Mapi an amazing buffet ... read more
October 25th 2012
Hotel was amazing we were booked into a two bedroom suite that was probably bigger than our whole house with great views over the mountains and garden. Took a walk into town which was a little run down however they were busy preparing for a concert on the town square. Still feeling a little tired with the altitude we decided on an early night. Thunderstorms woke us but eventually we slept and in the morning the sun was shining. The train to Agus Calientes was like a flight with passports to show and a meal served during the trip. Staff so friendly and we soon arrived in Machu Picchu. From here the bags were collected by hotel staff and we boarded the bus to the top, what a journey! The road was barely wide enough for ... read more
January 13th 2012
After arriving back from the Amazon, incredibly early, as I mentioned before we had a restful day, on the evening prior to our Inca Trail Trek we met at the Llama path office to get information, meet our group and guide and go over last minute details. We were in a great group with 2 other couples - Kate from usa, and her husband Adrian from Australia/NZ/USA and Carolina from Brazil and her boyfriend Robin from Germany. Our guide was Javier, who walked us through the trip, reminded us what to bring and prepared us for the days to come. The next morning we met at 4:30am to just on their bus to head towards kilometer 82, the beginning of the Inca Trail. After breakfast in Ollantaytambo we reached the beginning of the trail and popped ... read more
Aguas Calientes- one more day to go!!
Published: September 19th 2011South America » Peru » Cusco » Aguas Calientes
September 18th 2011
Thursday 15th September All aboard Peru Rail to Aguas Calientes! We had both expected this fair weather tourist stop over for the Inca trail to be quite dirty and seedy, and I suppose where the locals live it could be considered just that. Most tourists stay in over priced hostels and hotels and blow in and blow out overnight to do the Inca trail. When we first arrived In Cusco on Sunday night we booked our tickets as a sort of package, so bus return Cusco>Olly, train return from Olly>Aguas, bus to Macchu Picchu and also our accommodation in Aguas on Thursday night at the Golden House Inn. Looked beautiful on the board at the office and the driver was picking us up and taking us there when we arrived in Aguas Calientes. We knew something ... read more
