Machu Picchu, Peru
October 13, 2015
Machu Picchu, the legendary “lost city of the Incas” is one of the most visited tourist attractions in all of South America and one of the best historical sites in the world. The ruins are situated at 2,430 meters (8,000 feet) in the Andes mountains and is a Unesco world heritage site. The Incas built the estate around 1450 but abandoned it a century later at the time of the Spanish Conquest. It was unknown to the outside world until 1911 when the American historian Hiram Bingham traveled to the Sacred Valley where he was lead by an 11 year old boy to the ruins of Machu Picchu.
The ruins are often obscured by cloud cover except on our visit it was mostly obscured by a nearby forest fire but we still had an amazing experience. Aqueducts, granite and limestone temples and other forms of Inca architecture are all beautifully preserved and its outstanding to think how they fit the stones so perfectly together over 500 years ago. Yes its definately busy especially between 10-2pm when most of the tour groups visit the site but there's always a piece of Machu Picchu you somehow manage to steal all for yourself.
The ruins are often obscured by cloud cover except on our visit it was mostly obscured by a nearby forest fire but we still had an amazing experience. Aqueducts, granite and limestone temples and other forms of Inca architecture are all beautifully preserved and its outstanding to think how they fit the stones so perfectly together over 500 years ago. Yes its definately busy especially between 10-2pm when most of the tour groups visit the site but there's always a piece of Machu Picchu you somehow manage to steal all for yourself.
Our Accommodation in Ollantaytambo - Hostal Los Andenes
We stayed in the small village of Ollantaytambo 1.5 hours by train from Machu Picchu at Hostal Los Andenes located in the centre of the village. We found the family run hostal to be welcoming and helpful and they're next door to a fantastic restaurant called Hearts Cafe where the proceeds go to help community projects and the food is really good.
Village of Ollantaytambo
Machu Picchu
The most famous way to see Machu Picchu is by hiking the 4 day Inca Trail that leads straight into the entrance of the lost city. There are numerous other trekking trips available which ultimately lead to the entrance town of Machu Picchu called Aguas Calientes at which point most people spend the night and then finish their tour by taking the shuttle bus to the ruins at sunrise. We chose to visit Machu Picchu as a day trip from the small village of Ollantaytambo 1.5 hours away by train. There are only two train companies providing this service: Peru Rail and Inca Rail. We left at 6:00am with Peru Rail from Ollantaytambo to the entrance town of Aguas Calientes and returned the same evening which allowed us a full day to explore the ruins and have dinner before heading back to our hostal. Unfortunately on the day of our visit there was a huge forest fire nearby Machu Picchu which provided hazy views for most of the day but despite this, we still enjoyed our time at this amazing historical site. We lead our own walking tour of the grounds but we'd recommend opting for a tour guide. Just make sure you go with a reputable company as the guides waiting outside the entrance of Machu Picchu are known for tall tales and false information.
Peru Rail - Traveling Through the Valley to Machu Picchu
Intipunku The Sun Gate
"The Sun Gate" or "Intipunku" is an original Inca Trail which leads to Machu Picchu. Upon entering through the gate the views of Machu Picchu are amazing but we unfortunately missed out due to the smoky haze of the nearby fires. Nonetheless, it was wonderful standing in the very spot where the Inca's themselves also stood as they made their way to this mysterious citadel.
The Ruins of Machu Picchu