Machu Picchu

The reason I had to leave Arequipa sooner than I wanted to was because I had tickets to see Machu Picchu, which you have to buy weeks in advance. As soon as I arrived in Cusco, I was straight off again to Ollantaytambo, where I had to catch my train to Agua Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu. The train line runs through the Sacred Valley along a part of the Inca Trail, through beautiful valleys and past Inca ruins.

After a night in Agua Calientes, I got an early bus up the mountain ready for my 8am time slot. The bus makes multiple switchbacks up the very steep mountain, but we made it up to beautiful views of the early moring mist over the steep hillsides. Climbing up the steep stone steps, I eventually got to see the classic view of Machu Picchu. It really is incredible to see, perched right on the mountain top. Machu Picchu was built around 1450, and is theorised to have been a private city for Incan royalty. It was only inhabited for about a century before being abandoned during the Spanish invasion.

Before heading down into the Machu Picchu site proper, I went to see the Inca Bridge. The main historical entrance to Machu Picchu was via the Sun Gate, which is where the Inca trail leads. On the other side of the mountain is a secret entry to the city, which keads through a narrow path carved into sheer cliff face. The Inca Bridge is a section of the path which has a large gap that can be bridged with two tree trunks, but is otherwise impassable by invaders. I walked along the path to see this bridge, some of which is along very sheer drops! But it was very interesting and makes you wonder how on earth they built it. And the views were beautiful!

I then headed into the central part of the site to see some of the famous Incan masonry up close. Incan buildings are often composed of precisely cut stone that are closely fitten without mortar. The city structures are surrounded by stepped terraces etched into the steep mountainsides, with llamas roaming around. Having been a bit doubtful about visiting Machu Picchu, believing it to be a bit overhyped, I was actually really impressed and can absolutely see why it's considered a wonder. It's beautiful and absolutely worth the trip!もっと詳しく