Ollantaytambo ruins

Wow...what a day. The ruins here are spectacular and the backdrop just makes it something else. It seems as though everywhere we go in this country we are blown away by scenery.
Looking around today, it is amazing to think that people lived here and built all of this without all the help we have today. The scale of the stepped terraces is ridiculous, they are absolutely huge and I can tell you now that walking up them is a killer. I listened to your wise words though Adele and made sure to go at my own pace, so five steps and rest, five steps and rest...poor Richard and Rob!

Past the main ruins is a mountain path that goes a lot higher to a small ruin and we decided to climb it for the views. It took ages and I was the last up by a long way, but I made it all the same and it was so worth it. Once again this country has astounded us each time we arrive somewhere new and I doubt it will stop doing so any time soon.

We headed back down in a shower of rain and enjoyed the ground ruins, with the intricate running water system and views of yet more stepped terraces. We also came across a lama and some vicuna, which was obviously a perfect selfie opportunity!

After this, we then set off to find the path to the mountain opposite the main ruins. We had spotted another awesome looking ruin on the edge of this mountain up high and wanted to explore it. After a lot of wandering and my mind-set slowly deteriorating to one that didn't even think I could make another step, we found the entrance. A part of me was a little gutted...more steps.

My pace was now two steps and rest, two steps and rest and it also involved some actual crawling whilst the boys stormed on ahead, but once again, I made it! We were up high again with yet another spectacular view of the main ruins and the mountain we had just trekked around. It is a bit strange just how flat ground is below that houses the small town and ruins, all encased in the many peaks that surround it. It feels quite secret and is no doubt what made it so appealing. A much needed rest at the top gave us time to soak it all in before heading back down with a bad case of jelly legs. Fingers crossed they hold out for tomorrow!

Back in some eatery now for some beverages and food before we head to our train to Aguas Calientes. Hopefully, we will get some much needed sleep tonight before our 4am start tomorrow.Weiterlesen