Vicki's Travel Journals

Machu Picchu. A wonderful journey.

Peru | Thursday, April 25, 2013 | flickr photos

Our journey to Machu Picchu started with a 3 am wake up call in Cusco. We were picked up at 4 am and driven for 1 hour and 45 minutes through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo railway station. Here we boarded our Incarail train to Aguas Calientes (Macchu Picchu Pueblo). The train trip, on which the service was exceptional, took about another 1 hour 45 minutes through breathtaking Andean glacial mountains and cloud forest views. After arriving in the picturesque river valley town of Aguas Calientes, now known as Machu Picchu Pueblo, we were met by our official guide and put on a bus up to Machu Picchu. The drive took about 30 minutes through the most glorious forest with flowering orchids and trees full of bromilliads and other fascinating flora. After arriving at the entrance to the Machu Picchu Park, we went straight through the gate as we had pre-purchased our tickets with Mapitravel as part of the all inclusive package from Cusco to Machu Picchu return. It's worth mentioning at this point that you should carry your tickets, passport and a few Soles (Peru currency) as the toilets are located outside the park and you need your ticket and passport for the gate and 1 Soles to use the toilet. There are also 2 cloakrooms available for a small fee outside the park. Once inside the walk and views are breathtakingly spectacular. Adjectives fail to fully describe the incredible scenery with which one overwhelmed by its magnificence. We chose to self guide our tour of the ruins in order to take in and fully appreciate the surroundings at our own pace. Every view is picture postcard worthy as evidenced by the attached photos.