Advertisement
Published: June 11th 2014
Edit Blog Post
Hiking up to the Sun Gate
This follows the Inca Trail to the gate that protects the ancient pass into Machu Picchu. Rolled out of bed at 4:30, had a quick breakfast, and walked through dark Aguas to the shuttle that takes you 30 minutes up a giant mountain to the actual entrance to Machu Picchu. Since it was still dark when I arrived, I actually hiked about an hour to the actual mountain pass that once protected the ancient city. The gate at this pass is called Inti Punko, or the Sun Gate, and is the technical end to the Inca Trail that runs throughout the Sacred Valley. It's a wonderful spot, and sitting there in the dark, perched on a rock, smelling the cool jungle air, and watching the clouds slowly break as the sun came up was definitely the most awe-inspiring way to see Machu Picchu for the first time. The sun broke through and there it suddenly was... Machu Picchu! That first glimpse of the place I've been slowly traveling to (and wanting to see for so long) is something I'll honestly never forget until the day I die. That's why I travel.
Around 9ish I then hiked back down to Machu Picchu. On the way down the Inca Trail every corner is a perfect frame for another
Waiting for the Sun
Machu Picchu is right behind those clouds. picture, mainly because it becomes more and more clear and defined the closer you get. Entering the city, I basically spent the entire rest of the day, or at least up until 4:30, exploring the many ruins at Machu Picchu. I think the photos say it best, but the one thing I noticed the most was that I honestly completely forgot about time. I mean I spent the entire day here, from 6 to 5 or so, and could've stayed longer. I've never experienced that at any other place I've been. And the best thing about this is that you basically just sit down and stare. I think I probably spent 2 hours perched on a terrace just looking. It's just so absorbing and beautiful that time seems so ridiculous. I mean think about about. A 1000 year old city probably better built than most modern buildings. If anything man-made is immortal, than this is, so to think about time or all those other little boring details of life was really put into perspective: What a waste of time! People come and go, but this place will remain, up here in the mountains. And it's cool to think that I
There It Is!
My first glimpse of Machu Picchu. was part of it for just a tiny, tiny bit of time. To be in a timeless place is quite the experience, and to be briefly in that place is even better. You, in your small way, become part of its long history, and take that history with you for the rest of your life. I was there!
On a side note, I was actually most impressed today by the determined groups of elderly travelers, probably in their 60s or so. I say this because Machu Picchu requires strenuous climbing up and up and up. But these people could not be daunted. They had walking sticks and went slow, but they made it. That's the kind of strength and courage that built Machu Picchu in the first place. For instance, on my way down from the Intihuatana, the highest point, I was behind a woman whose every step looked and sounded painful. While it was slow going, she made it. I honestly hope I have that kind of courage when I'm her age. And it proves the fact: you're never too old to see the world, pain and all. I mean it was hard enough for me. I actually
Better View
The sun continues to rise and burn off more of the clouds. just found out that my left sock was soaked in blood. I never noticed it, but have a nasty blister that blew-up at some point during the day!
Other than that, this is the type of travel day that's up there with the Pyramids, meaning that it's a type of benchmark day. A day of days. You measure every other moment from these moments. And the best thing of all: no one will understand what I'm saying unless you've also been there. It remains your own even though you share photos and write about it (like what I'm doing). So go for yourself and see what I mean.
Tomorrow it's back down the valley to the city I landed in - Cusco.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.069s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 7; qc: 24; dbt: 0.0478s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1mb