Machu Picchu
Vistadome Train
Finally the day we had been waiting for had arrived and we would be visiting Machu Picchu in the cloud forest. We started with a light breakfast in the hotel and took a bus to Ollantaytambo Station where we waited in line for a little while before boarding the Vistadome train. The train lived up to its name with panoramic windows on the sides and overhead allowing us to get a great view of the scenery on our way to Machu Picchu. The train ride took about 90 minutes and we were served a small snack box with quinoa chips and quinoa bar and a small chocolate along with some hot tea.
Aguas Calientes and Lunch
After disembarking the train in the city of Aguas Calientes and a quick stop at the banos, we walked through town towards the bus station. Diego pointed out several of the statues to Inca leaders along the way. We were delayed by a parade in the main square in honor of Machu Picchu Day, which celebrates the founding of the city. This left us standing in the hot sun for 20 minutes which sapped some of our energy. Eventually we made our way to the bus station where Lewis handed us our tickets and we boarded a coach bus for the interesting journey up the mountain to the main entrance. The road featured several tight switchbacks and many of us were feeling a little motion sick by the time we reached the top.
We were escorted into the Tambu restaurant at the Sanctuary Lodge hotel near the entrance and treated to a buffet lunch of Peruvian cuisine. Our appetites had not really recovered so we sampled some of the food while watching the buses arrive from town and the lines form as the morning hikers returned to town. J. R. had an Inka Cola, which had once been a flavor at Club Cool at Epcot.
Climbing Machu Picchu
At 12:15, we gathered for our tour. Diego led a small group of us started what would turn out to be a 1.8 mile round trip hike with a 462 foot elevation gain that would take us to 8200 feet above sea level. The first part was a series of switchbacks with uneven, rocky stairs that soon had our entire group questioning why we were doing the hike. Diego provided us with plenty of places to stop as he told us the history of the Citadel.
Machu Picchu was built in the 1400s as an estate for Pachacutec. It is estimated no more than 750 people lived in the estate at any one time. The estate was overrun by the Spaniards by the 1500s and abandoned over time and the jungle over grew much of the site. German businessmen were believed have visited the site in the late 1800s and a man named Agustin Lizarraga wrote his name in charcoal on a rock in 1902. But Hiram Bingham is credited as the discoverer of the site, having visited in 1911 and began the clearing and excavation of the site.
Llamas
We received our reward for the many stairs when we reached the terrace above the Citadel. The views of Montana Machu Picchu, the mountain itself, as well as the Inca Citadel below were amazing. Diego gave us plenty of time to catch our breath and enjoy the magnificent vista before beginning our descent to the city below. Along the way down, we found a pair of llamas grazing on one of the terraces and that was a good excuse for another break.
Maccu Picchu
Eventually we reached the city itself. We passed through the main gate, where Diego took our photos of Waynapicchu mountain framed in the doorway. The trapezoidal shape of the arch is a characteristic of Inca architecture.
We came next to the Temple of the Sun with its carved rocks, ceremonial niches and portals and then the House of the Inca which is believed to be a ceremonial area due to the location near the ceremonial water fountains. We passed by the quarry to the Sacred Plaza and the Main Temple and the Temple of the Three Windows as well as a residence and storage facility. Next we passed the Intiwatana Pyramid and the Sacred Rock to the Three Gates, which were the residences of the Inca elite. We ended our tour of the city near the Temple of the Condor, a ceremonial area with underground passages related to the cult of water.
Tea Time
We finished our tour of the site and were escorted back into the restaurant for a bathroom stop and afternoon tea. We were served a prickly pear lemonade and choice of tea (black or coca) along with sandwiches and sweets. It was good to get off our feet and relax.
Tea Time
Soon we were back on a bus heading down the mountain into town and then had a short walk to the train station. We were seated in a lounge and served a Pisco cocktail before being called to board the Hiram Bingham train back to Cusco. This is a restored luxury coach considered to be one of the best in South America. The train consists of three main carriages decorated in the style of 1920s Pullman train coaches with polished wood and brass. The bar car featured a full open bar and live Peruvian music, which was a bit loud for the enclosed space, making it hard to have a conversation. We sat with Jean and Caren and headed to the bar as the train rolled away. The ladies had pisco sours while J. R went for a glass of Glenfidditch neat. The train was rocking wildly and since there was not enough seating, we returned to our seats.
Soon dinner was served. J. R. and Janie opted for the Paiche, which was well-seasoned and delicious. Jean said the rabbit was just okay. J. R. had to keep protecting his scotch from being taken away as apparently the waiter didn't understand that a scotch neat was still drinkable. He guessed they thought the ice had melted and he needed another.
We arrived back in Cusco and had a thirty minute bus ride from the train station to our hotel for the night, the Belmond Palacio Nazarenas. We didn't arrive until after 10PM and we were all pretty tired. For some reason we had to wait for a butler to take us to our room. We had to wait while he explained the room amenities to the first couple on floor one and then Janie was not pleased he walked us past the elevator to another set of stairs. After a patronizing explanation of how to use the room key (insert it into the slot until the light turns green, like many hotels), he showed us our room, pointed out the minibar and left. Not sure why we didn't get the grand tour like our friends did. We opened some Cokes from the minibar and went to bed.
