Blogs from Aguas Calientes, Cusco, Peru, South America - page 8

Aguas Calientes, aka Machu Picchu Pueblo, is a cert to make the 7 Tourist Trap Wonders of the World whenever that competition is held. Stepping off the train from Ollantaytambo, we found ourselves in a small town in the grip of rampant construction, adding to the existing hodge-podge of unattractive, uncoordinated buildings. With every other establishment a restaurant or tat shop, there was a wearying assault from all sides by touts eager to persuade you to browse their identical menus, or purchase a Machu Picchu-tattooed llama. Prices for accommodation and food were high, with an inverse relationship to the actual quality of the product. It was easy to assume that the town would be in cahoots with my current least favourite corporation PeruRail, but apparently the two are not the closest of friends, with the inhabitants ... read more

Just back from my trek. Wow. What an amazing time. In Aguas Calientes and in a bit of a rush but will try and get something down before I crash. I have had such a fab time and a brilliant birthday. Long trek, uncomfortable (and cold!) nights, great company, amazing scenery, many laughs. This part of the world is just amazing. Our route, unlike the traditional Inca Trail was almost deserted, we were probably the only 14 people (trekkers and team) on this route. The only people we encountered were locals with their babies on their backs or riding their horses to town to sell potatoes. Very peaceful and enlightening. I had a birthday cake made for me by our cooks, made from layers of pancakes layered with some condensed milk topping and Feliz Diaz written ... read more

There was a bang on the door at 4am from our guide although we were already awake and eager to go. We had a quick breakfast as caffeine was required for the climb ahead. With a glow of head torches we set off on the 1.5hour steep climb to the entrance of Machu Picchu. Not even the cool 4am air kept us from drowning in sweat as we climbed solidly almost without rest. Our guides determination to push on showed his experience and timing as we arrived at the etrance steps 15 mins before opening and before the first load of buses pulled up. We were at the front but when the buses arrived the queue disappeared into the distance. As the sun came up and the clock struck 6am we were the first group into ... read more

The alarm went off at 5.30 for a pre sunrise start. Toady was to be a solid days walking from Santa Maria to Santa Theresa. The journey would take us along part of the historical Inca Trail and then follow the river up to the hot springs near where we would be staying. We left Santa Maria and dropped down to the river where we wondered past the derelict and deserted buildings. These were the remnants of the original Santa Maria which was destroyed along with several other villages about 9 years ago when a flash flood was created by a burst dam. Before heading up a steep path into the hills our guide stopped in front of a strange podded plant. He proceeded to open the pod and crush the seeds which created a very ... read more

well, we are in aguas calientes waiting for our train back to cusco. as i mentioned, the train ride was really cool. we sat with a couple from kansas city. they were about 30 & ksu alumni. they were pretty cool. just like us - dinks (double income no kids) with a dog. maybe we will see them in steamboat next winter. got up at a quarter til five to catch the first train to machu picchu with about 100 other people. i closed my eyes the whole way up because it is up a windy mtn road with steep cliffs & only room for one vehicle. made it in one piece, though. when we got there, we checked our backpack and stamped our passports. we walked up a steep hill and it was a place ... read more