Machu Picchu

Getting to Aguas Calientes:

From Ollantaytambo we had an early start and we caught a Harry Potter style train to Aguas Calientes. Lots of windows for a great view initially of the mountains then of the cloud forest. The town is pretty much a tourist stop for people going to Machu Picchu. Despite this it does have some charm and we enjoyed looking round.

We spent the morning at the butterfly centre. This was cool as had butterflies and moths in various stages of their life cycle and we saw a butterfly come out of the pupae.

We had a lazy day and early night after tea as a 6.20am start in the morning for Machu Picchu. Tea was good and we were all serenaded by a Peruvian band with pipes and singing their short set before requesting types included La Bamba and El Condor Pasa.

Although this turned out to be a bit pointless as from 11.45 to 12.30pm fireworks were constantly going off to welcome in Christmas Day.

Too High?

We were a bit concerned about altitude sickness but so far not too bad. We managed to leave our tablets at home so bought some more in Lima which was interesting with the language barrier. We aim only to use them reactively. In Cusco I needed paracetamol for a day due to a horrible headache but since then been okay, Karen has been OK. Cusco is 3400 metres above sea level and Agues Calientes is 2000 metres. Hopefully returning to Cusco will be okay.

Machu Picchu

Today (Christmas Day) we visited Machu Picchu, not sure what I expected but was amazing. Like most of our group we didn't do any of the Inca Trail but caught the bus. The guide for the day was great, gave loads of detail but more of a storyteller than just relaying detail. He also emphasised how to pronounce Picchu to avoid actually calling it Old Penis!

It was busy in places but other in areas very serene. When we first arrived it was a bit cloudy, that made it look spectacular, but the clouds cleared so we saw the whole site. Still can't quite believe that the Incas only lived there for 80 years. As they didn't write anything down seems disputed if they left due to those nasty Spaniards or were wiped out due to Small Pox. Anyway what an amazing place, definitely a bucket list place for us both.