Machu Picchu Machinations

So Machu Picchu is on many people’s lists of “we must see.” Unfortunately there are oodles of people trying to do just that. We had been unable to secure online tickets 4 months out for the most popular route when we planned our trip so we purchased a guided tour that included this route. But about 6 weeks ago we heard from the tour company that the Ministry of Culture had changed the rules and guides could not purchase tickets, we would need to be in the town it is located in a full day in advance to line up at 6 am to get tickets.

So we rebooked hotels and rearranged the schedule only to get a message the day before that the rules had changed again and now you need to get tickets 2 days in advance (this is true, we checked). Our timing was terrible and we had no wiggle room in the schedule this late. So…in Amazing Race style we literally ran from the train stop to get in line for the 8 tickets available but missed the window. We were able to get a route, but not the one we wanted.

Our guide arranged today to somehow get us in and to put us in a private tour (we’d been with a group)! So although we have had a very quiet day in Aguas Calientes we are anticipating a great tour. Perseverance!Read more