When you think of Peru there is only one thing that comes to your mind – Machu Picchu
After all, it is one of the most fascinating archeological sites on the planet.
It is also a symbol of the power and ingenuity of the Inca people and a once in a lifetime place to see.
We spent the night in the city below the mountain: Aguas Caliente and at about 4.00am we arrived at the queue at the bus station, in order to catch one of the first busses that go up to Machu Picchu. Immediately after us, the queue started to build.
Anyway, we got on the third bus and we arrived at Machu Picchu among the first people that came to see the sunrise here.
In the first few hours, everything was covered in clouds and fog. We sat down at the perfect view spot and waited.
At mid-morning things started to look up: the clouds were slowly starting to vanish and then we had the perfect view over the lost city. It was such a perfect moment.
Later on, we started the three hours walking tour of the site with our guide.
The Incas constructed the entire city using stones that they have carried up on the mountain without the help of any wheels and they have built it or other sophisticated equipment that could cut stone.
One of their construction technics was not to use mortar to led the stones but the stones were so precisely cut that when today it is a strong and resistant structure.
The function of the city is still unknown. It is believed that it was an important ceremonial site or a military stronghold or a nobility retreat.
With all the publicity and the millions of pictures of Machu Picchu that you can find on the web, I thought that it will never fully live up to expectation.
However, Machu Picchu is the real deal. It is as amazing and fascinating as it is advertised, and much more.
The reason I love to travel is for this particular kind of moments.
After the tour, we hiked up the Huayna Picchu which is the iconic mountain just behind Machu Picchu.
The trail is very steep and the hike is not as easy as one might think.
The path winds up along the very edge of the mountain on some very steep stairs, sometimes you need a rope to be able to climb some sectors.
It took us about one hour and a half up to the top and the trail was very difficult. Unfortunately, the view of Machu Picchu from the top wasn’t as expected. Machu Picchu was looking like a stonepit. Most of the people appreciate the view from above, but our point of view is that it doesn’t worth the climb.
Machu Picchu is one of the new 7 world wonders and it is really impressive. “The old peak” as it is translated, is a magical place and once in a lifetime experience.
