Blogs from Aguas Calientes, Cusco, Peru, South America - page 6

Aguas Calientes Decided to write the Machu Picchu section up in two blogs. The train left Ollantaytambo on time (0530) and despite our misgivings the sun was up sufficiently to allow some good views of the countryside. The trains are in good condition but the tracks are not all that smooth. As expected prices were higher in Aguas Calientes but not exhorbiently so. We had breakfast and a walk around until the 9am checkout time for the Hostels. Took a room at Hostel John for 50 Soles which was nothing exceptional but was OK for the night (we had left the bulk of our gear back in Olly and had only a small backpack each). Went and bought our Machu Picchu entry tickets (124 Soles) and our return bus tickets (14 USD) to save time in ... read more

Hi all and a belated Happy St. Paddy´s day to you. I have to say I´ve had the best St. Paddy´s Day ever and not because I´ve consumed heaps of green beer, I spent the entire day on Machu Picchu. I got up at 4 am to line up and catch the 530 bus up the mountain. My primary desire to watch the sunrise on MP and watch it I did. It was so amazing, relatively few people there at that time, just an amazing experience. We were lucky, those of us who wanted to watch the sun hit the buildings. This time of year, the sun clears the mountain around 645 but typically the clouds roll in and obscure the buildings. But it was clear for that 10 or so minutes, truly something that will ... read more

Die Fahrt mit dem Zug nach Aguas Calientes (auf ca. 2100m) haben wir zum Glueck in der First Class gebucht. Der Vorteil gegenueber der Backpacker Class ist, dass die Wagons mit Panoramafenster ausgestattet sind. Die ganze Zeit (3h) faehrt man in so steilen Taelern, dass man diese Fenster definitiv benoetigt, will man etwas von der Umgebung sehen. Eine Unterkunft zu finden in dieser Zeit war kein Problem, so hatten wir noch genug Zeit um eine "kleine Wanderung" am Nachmittag zu unternehmen. Mit einem Amerikanischen Paerchen, das wir im Zug kennen gelernt haben, bestritten wir die "Kletterpartie" auf den Potokusi. Die Wanderung fuehrte uns durch tropischen Wald. Zum Teil war der Weg so steil, dass an den senkrechten Felswaende Leitern angebracht waren. Es war richtig spektakulaer, - selten haben wir eine solche Wanderung unternommen! Wuerde man den ... read more

Day 13 - Machu Picchu Today we had anther early start 4.30am (thought we were on holiday, I don't get up this early at home!) as we had to get the train to Aguas Calientes which is also known as Machu Picchu town. The Perurail train is now owned by an American company and they have made it so expensive that the locals cannot afford to use this transport any more and it is mainly just for tourists like us. The train is busy and we sit next to some Russian girls from St Petersburg. It is an old traditional train that runs on very narrow tracks so it wasn't the most comfortable 5 hour journey we have had. The train sets off and blows its horn every time we go near a crossing which is ... read more

Cuzco - Machu Pichu Arrived in Cuzco on an overnight bus and checked into my hostel, converted from a 450 year old building, it is a backpacker central and all the perks such as free internet, bar, hot water…… I spent the afternoon walking around the city center. Cuzco, or Qosq’o in Quechua, was the capital of the Inca Empire and draws thousands every year to visit the numerous Inco remains found in the city, the surrounding Sacred Valley and the mighty Machu Picchu. Despite being a tourist honey pot, with all the related hotels, restaurants, gift shops that go with that, it is an interesting city to walk around. The city centre has several large plazas framed by colonial houses and churches built on Inca foundations. My second day I joined a city tour of ... read more