Machu Picchu

July 1998

Trip Rating: 5/5

Machu Picchu is undoubtedly the most famous archeological site in South America.   Also know as "The lost city of the Incas",  this city on a mountain top is very fascinating.    Sitting on the edge of the Amazon jungle, the terrain is almost jungle like.    There is no way that I can describe or that the pictures below can do Machu Picchu justice.    The only thing that I can do is to give you some tips about Machu Picchu.    DO NOT take a tour to Machu Picchu.    It is a waste of money, and you are not going to see 1/10 of this fascinating site.   If you want a guide, you can follow one of the many guided tours that you will find between 10:00 and 3:00.     The only way to go is to take a "slow" train to Aguas Calientes, a town right below Machu Picchu and stay the night.     We took a train about 6:50 am, that cost 15 soles or about 5 dollars.   This train stops in many places, but enjoy the culture and relax.   When we arrived in Aguas Calientes at about 12:30, we got a hostile of which there are many in town.     We then ate and headed out to the ruins.   The tours arrive at Machu Picchu at about 10:00-11:00 am, and leave at about 2:00-3:00 PM.   This is just not enough time.   Also, after these times Machu Picchu is virtually uninhabited.   These times when the tours were not there were by far the most enjoyable.    After spending the night in Aguas Calientes, we went back up to the ruins early, I think that they open at 6:00 am.    Entrance to Machu Picchu was $10 for the first day, and $5 for the second.    Remember on the second day to get back to Aguas Calientes and buy your return tickets as there is only one train back each day.  I highly recommend this trip.

The train from Cuzco to Machu Picchu.   Notice the snow capped peaks in the background.   The train ride from Cuzco to Machu Picchu is about 4 hours.   If you like trains, read about the highest train ride in the world. 

The road is very crazy.  

Beautiful view of the Urabumba River.   If you look at the bottom left of this picture, you can see the train and the station.   It looks very tiny from Machu Picchu.   Aguas Calientes is just around the river bend towards the center of the photo.

The road to Machu Picchu.   The bus driver really swings around the curves.    Yes this photo has been doctored, it is really two shots in one.    I couldn't get the whole thing in one shot.    The river is on your right, and the entrance to Machu Picchu is at the end of the road. 

David and Kim checking out the ruins.   You can barely see Kim's blonde hair in the shadow of the window.  This photo is the result of 3 I put together.

Jere over Machu Picchu.   This is the "classic shot".

Jere sitting in front of some of the terraces surrounding Machu Picchu.

At Machu Picchu, the walls of the structures are the only thing that stand in most places.   In some areas, the roofs have been rebuilt in the original style.    You can see an unroofed house in the picture above.

Kim and Jere cooling off with the water from the built in plumbing that is cut into the stones at Machu Picchu.

Utter beauty.

Jere meditating in front of some terraces.

Jere resting in front of some terraces.

Jere and Mike at the "Sungate" above Machu Picchu.    Machu Picchu can be seen in the middle of the picture.

Jere on the Inca Trail

Mike, Jere, Kim and David resting for the hike out of Machu Picchu.

Mike checking out his ticket back  to Cuzco.

Jere on the train from  Machu Picchu.

people have visited virtual Machu Picchu.

This page last updated on 09/04/99.