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The Classic Machu Picchu Shot We were up in the 5s to get the 6.15am train to Aguas Calientes a.k.a. Machu Picchu village. Getting up in the 5s is my pet hate (I refuse to do it for work purposes) but today it wasn´t pàrticularly difficult as I honestly hadn't slept a wink due to excitement. Goodness knows what I am going to be like before the wedding!
The views from the train were fantastic though by then I was finally getting sleepy and struggling to stay awake. On arrival we walked from the town down the road to find the camp site mentioned in the Lonely Planet. It was quite a walk so we were gutted to find it completely deserted. Eventually we found a hostel within our budget and tried but failed to have a little nap.
The plan was to spend a night in Aguas Calientes so that we could get the first bus up to Machu Picchu at 5.30am to see the sun rise. We were therefore going to do a pretty walk mentioned in the Lonely Planet on the first day. Once again our plans were scuppered when we discovered that our walk had been closed off due to
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The fog finally clears an avalanche! Instead we walked along the train track for a while (scarey) before heading up to the thermal springs. After an hour or so of bathing in the naturally heated water we had a quick Pisco before going to bed.
After an early start we successfully managed to get on the very first bus up to Machu Picchu. By 6.00am we were positioned on the terraces to get the classic postcard picture view of Machu Picchu as the sun rose. Only, due to fog our photos were more like pea soup. After a while it became evident that the fog wasn't going to clear so I managed to latch onto an English speaking guides tour of Machu Pichhu. I say I, because I shamelessly latched on, whereas Noel (obviously having more manners than me) refused to join the group. After about 15 mins I gave up both because most of the info was in the Lonely Planet guide anyway and because I was missing Noel!
As the weather was still pretty bad we decided to climb Huayana Picchu in the hopes that by the time we got to the top the weather would have cleared. We were
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The steep descent from Huayana Picchu quite surprised when we reached the summit within 20 mins as the climb was supposed to take 90 mins. I wasn´t convinced we had climbed the right mountain, but we couldn´t see an awful lot due to the weather still being bad. We sat and waited and waited until eventually it cleared sufficiently for us to see Machu Picchu for the first time - VERY EXCITING, though I still wasn´t convinced we were in the right place!
For those not in the know, Machu Picchu is a 500 year old palace/fortress though its actual purpose isn't exactly understood. It was never discovered by the invading Spanish due to its position in the mountains (and the fact that when the Spanish were envading, the Incas successfully destroyed the trail leading to it), though it is acknowledged that it is certainly of religious importance.
On our descent we saw the path we should have climbed and realised that we weren´t up Huayana Picchu , we were up his baby brother. So we commenced another climb which took us nearer the stated 90 mins, and had fantastic views. Machu Picchu looked stunning but equally spectacular were the entire surroundings: the mountains,
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Machu Picchu, Noel and llamas rivers.....
The climb was pretty tough at times and with very tiny steep steps also pretty nervie racking, there was nothing to stop you plummeting hundreds of metres if you slipped so thank goodness it wasn´t raining. As the sky had now completely cleared the views were certainly worth the effort and I certainly think that climbing Huayana Picchu was the highlight of our day.
When we got back down we explored MP more fully and appreciated the architecture more (now that we could see it!) before getting the bus back down to Aguas Calientes. As the bus descends to AG the local lads supply entertainment. They bet the bus passengers that one of the boys can run down to the bottom of the mountain ahead of the bus. As its quite a long journey it is most amusing to see the young lad appear before the coach at the bottom of every turn.
Soon we were back on the train heading towards Cuzco, we were both absolutely knackered after all the walking and lack of sleep. On our return to the hostel we managed to get a much quieter room and thus a much better nights
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Us with Machu Picchu and Huayana Picchu in the background sleep.
In summary Machu Picchu was really good and I am so glad I have been. However I must add that most of our enjoyment came from climbing Huayana Picchu and the views from its top. MP is a mysterious and magical place but I am not sure it deserves all the hype it receives - but then we are'pretty spoilt for beautiful historical buildings in England, aren't we?!
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