Machu Picchu

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Well after 3 days of trekking 43km up and down mountains, road blocks, bus strikes and hardly any sleep to talk of we finally got to the end location, Machu Picchu, and it lives up to and exceeds any expectaions you could ever have. Having not done the traditional route we didn´t trek through the sun gate, which must be phenomenal, but instead got a bus at 5.30am from Agua Calientes for the final 20 mins up through the mountains. It really takes your breath away on your first glance, as the ruins are in such a good state, the altitude also takes your breath away but thats another matter. We all went straight to the highest point as to get an ariel view, and as we were lucky got to see the sun rise over the ancient city, again an unbelievable experience. Our guide, Victor, then took us on a 2 hour tour of the ruins, explaining what they think all the buildings were used for, as all records have been destroyed, so most of it is intelligent guess work. The place was abandoned in the 1500's after or possibly just before the Spanish invasions, luckily the Spanish never discovered the ruins, they were only rediscovered in fact in 1911, and started to be restored in the 60's. It is truly a magical place, we spent a good 6 hours looking round and imaging what it would have been like in its day. Also got to climb Waynu Picchu, which is a small mountain next to the main ruins, it is hardcore, about 600 steps going up, but they are almost vertical at times and very narrow with huge huge drops off the side, got to live on the edge though, and tore up there. The views from the top, looking back down on the city are beautiful, feel very privalaged to have been there. It is a must for anyone going to peru, even without the trek just get the train from Cusco, you will never regret it. We were also lucky because as soon as we left it started hammering it down, so spent the afternoon in the pub before getting the train and then bus back to Cusco. Hopefully the pictures do it some justice...................

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Photos

From the top of Waynu Picchu
Look at that barnet!!!!

Comments

[Kel]

Simply stunning...
...have you not thought about getting it cut? Glad to discover you're both in better shape than John Peel.