Macchu Picchu

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Macchu Picchu was one of the must see sights of our trip and at times it looked as if we would not be able to see it at all. This was because there are two ways of getting there, walking or going by train. The walk takes 4 days and must be booked months in advance due to restrictions on numbers who can take part.

This was not feasible for us so that left the train, operated by Perurail. Not surprisingly this is very popular as well and can be booked out months in advance as well. I will spare you the details but we learned that a fancy website, such as operated by Peryrail, is no guarantee of a competant or efficient service.

Suffice to say that we arrived in Cusco with no tickets booked for the trip to MP. That left the old fashioned approach of physically making our way to their ticket office, located in one of Cucsos railway stations. It turned out that there were plenty of tickets available. Not surprisingly really since it seemed difficult to book them any other way. Still, Im sure this was good news for the numerous companies offering trips to MP, including train tickets.

Anyway, we were happy with getting the tickets, so now all we had to do was go to a completely different office to buy entrance tickets for MP itself. The joys of being an independent traveller.

Most people seem to go to MP on a day trip but we had the luxury of being able to stay overnight. This meant that while most people on our train made a dash for the buses to MP we were able to stroll to our hotel in Aquas Calientes. That meant we were able to make our way to MP the next day before the main groups of visitors arrived.

And it was worth all the hassle, inconvenience and running around that we had endured. It is an amazing place and we were able to take our time to appreciate it. However, one slight disappointment is that while really dramatic from a distance, the buildings etc are fairly restrained close up. The Incas do not appear to have gone in for elaborate adornment or embellishment, or if they did, nothing remains of it.

I recently saw a news article on www.msn.com about concerns by archaelogists that the number of visitors to MP is having a detrimental effect on it. It may mean that visitor numbers may have to be reduced in future years. If so, it seems that we were extremely fortunate and lucky to have seen it when we did.

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Photos

Machu Picchu
View from bus on approach to MP.

Machu Picchu
View from entrance to MP.

Machu Picchu
Farming terraces.

Machu Picchu
Linda in front of farming terraces.

Machu Picchu
Linda having rest.

Machu Picchu
Squares and curves, farming and drainage stonework.

Machu Picchu
Linda and Andes in background.

Machu Picchu
Phew, thats some climb.

Machu Picchu
Urban quarter of MP in background.

Machu Picchu
Farming terraces and urban area of MP.

Machu Picchu
Granary.

Machu Picchu
Linda and Llama sneaking up on her. They have been known to spit at you but she survived.

Machu Picchu
No safety barriers here.

Machu Picchu
I am not going any nearer the edge.

Machu Picchu
Linda admiring colourful plant, or taking sneaky rest.

Machu Picchu
Examples of how buildings were originally thatched.

Machu Picchu
Where is everyone.

Machu Picchu
Sitting on grass is allowed.

Machu Picchu
No, thats not a shadow of a Llama and a dead Llama, its just 2 Llamas enjoying the sunshine.

Machu Picchu
View from hotel in Aguas Calientes, base town for visiting MP.