Thursday, March 17: Continued

Soon after entering the main part of Machu Picchu, there was a sign indicating that Route 2, the one we were to take, went one direction and Route 3, the more level one, headed off in a different direction.  We soon started climbing both stairs and fairly steep walkways.

3365 The first of many steps

Edgar led us up and around and through some wooded areas where we could not see much, but then we came out into the open.

3390 Our first view of the Machu Picchu Citadel

At one point, at about the highest point on the tour, we were on the “Inca Trail” for a short distance.  So we can actually say that we ”hiked the Inca Trail”. If only a small part of it.

3425 We were standing on part of the Inca Trail.

Soon after that, we arrived at the point where probably the best known photo of Machu Picchu was taken by a National Geographic photographer.  We had the same view, but my photo is probably not quite like the NG one.

3480  The best known view of the Machu Picchu citadel

And, just to make sure we could prove we were actually there…..

3465  Our “We really were in Machu Picchu” photo.

In the photos above, note the peak just the other side of the Citadel, Huayna Picchu: some people climb that peak.  You have to have a permit to make the climb with a limited number of permits each day and there is currently a month’s long waiting list for the permits.  We decided that we didn’t have time to wait for the permits so we would not be able to do the climb this time.  3775 This video may give you a better overall feeling for the size and positioning of the Citadel.

3490 Another Citadel photo: look closely and you can see some people

We continued along and now down the trail to the doorway that represents the end of the trail and the entry point into the Citadel.

3505 The doorway is the “Door to the City”

There were impressive sights all around, with several temples and sacred areas.  In the photo below you can see the sacred plaza or main temple in the foreground, then some terraces then the small peak of Una Picchu.

3550 Just a small section is filled with sights.

Many South American natives (Incas, Mayas, Aztecs) built structures that appear to be aligned to important phases of the sun and stars and Machu Picchu did not get left out.

3585 The circular wall is part of the Sun Temple.

Edgar, our guide, provided excellent information as we toured the site.  He even found good places for us to rest for a few minutes while enjoying the amazing views.

3655 Our tour group: Edgar in white shirt at far end.

We were continually amazed at the ability of the Incas to build such complex structures in such inaccessible places.  The stone work in most of the walls was amazing, with large stones that had been shaped almost perfectly and placed into difficult positions.  On a few walls you could see a definite change in construction quality part way up the wall.  The general belief is that the Inca workers got word that the Spanish were coming and attempted to finish the buildings as quickly as possible.

3695 Another temple: The temple of the Condor

Although it is difficult to visualize from the viewing position, the structure above is in the shape of a condor.  The angled rock is a wing.  But, if you have sharp eyes and look closely. You may spot the Chinchilla in the shadow at the base of that rock.

It had been a wonderful tour and after about three hours touring the Citadel, it was time to leave Machu Picchu.

3720  On the exit path from Machu Picchu

At about 4:00 we joined up with the tour members who had taken the flatter circuit and entered a different part of the restaurant where we had eaten lunch.  We relaxed in a lounge area for a few minutes then were escorted back to where we had lunch, but this was for “afternoon tea”. 

3725 Afternoon Tea at Machu Picchu

We had tea or other drinks and some light snacks.  It seemed a bit strange, but it did give us a few minutes to relax and catch our breaths a little.  After relaxing for about 30 minutes we boarded a bus for the ride back down the mountain to Aguas Calientes.  We apparently had some time to kill, so Edgar led the group through a shopping area with lots of stalls, most of which seemed to be selling very colorful cloths and clothing.

3745 One of the very colorful shops

We found our way to the train station where we were escorted to a lounge and offered drinks and we awaited the time to board our train.  When that time came, we were taken to our coach on a train: the Hiram Bingham dinner train.  (Hiram Bingham was the Yale lecturer who “rediscovered” Machu Picchu in 1911 so the train is named in his honor.)

3760  A little different than the train in the morning

We boarded the train and found a rather deluxe environment and tables already set for dinner.  Once the train got under way the bar opened in another car, but someone told us that the bar would be very busy while waiters would come around to take our drink orders.  It worked!

3770 The interior of our Hiram Bingham coach

Friends had told us that, while in Peru, we had to try a “Pisco Sour” cocktail.  Pisco Sours are made using Pisco (a Peruvian brandy), egg white, lemon juice, etc. so we ordered a couple of them when the waiter came by.  When we tried them, we agreed that it was “interesting”, but we would have wine with our dinner.  We had a very nice dinner during a very relaxed ride and enjoyed some more Peruvian wine.  The train ended back in in Ollantaytambo where our tour bus was waiting and took us back to our hotel.  I will comment that we really enjoyed our stay at this hotel, partly because it was very nice to stay three nights in one place, eliminating the need to pack and unpack every day, which does get old.

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