Ahhhhh, Machu Picchu!! Truly the highlight of our trip!
Friday we flew from Lake Titicaca to Cusco and then took a bus through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo where we boarded the InkaRail Train for Aguas Calientes, our home for 2 nights in the village below Machu Picchu. The train ride itself was spectacular.
But Saturday we spent the day in Machu Picchu. You just always expect clouds and rain there, but we awoke to blue skies and a gorgeous day. We took the bus way up the mountain on switchback after switchback and arrived at the site. Wow! It's such an amazing place.
We took photos for about 45 minutes and then had a tour with our guide Freddy for 2 1/2 hours through the site. It was fascinating to hear him explain the history of the Incas and Machu Picchu.
In the afternoon some of us hiked up to the Sun Gate for incredible views.
First view of the Sacred Valley and the town of Urubamba
Beautiful cultivated fields enroute to the Sacred Valley
Our InkaRail train to Aguas Calientes
The Andes here have real glaciers!
Spectacular!
The wild Urubamba River
Climbing up the path into Machu Picchu
Lora is so excited to actually be here!
Our first views and photos
3 Siblings - Vaughn, Kent & Twila
Group Photo above Machu Picchu
The Sun Temple - an astronomical wonder
Vaughn framed in a doorway with Huayna Picchu in the background
Dennis and Leora head down through the ruins
Paul takes a rest on the way up to the Sun Gate
Beautiful wildflowers along the way
Even giant orchids
Approaching the Sun Gate after over an hour of climbing
These are the switchbacks we took by bus - Machu Picchu on top of the hill
Ruth, Lora, Breann, Dave & Carolyn at the Sun Gate
The hardy hikers!
Breann enjoys the view from the Sun Gate
Machu Picchu from above, in the late afternoon sun
Far less people in the late afternoon
One more close-up view of the ruins, with Huayna Picchu in the background
Farewell shot with a nice llama in the foreground!
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