One last breakfast on the terrace and we bid adieu to Sol y Luna. Marco drives us back to Ollantaytambo to catch the train for Machu Pichu. All our documents are in order and we are among the first to board. We have about a 1.5-hour train ride through the Sacred Valley to arrive at the drop off point for access to the town that services Machu Pichu. We are limited in the amount of luggage that can be brought and have separated our belongings into two duffel bags – the remainder will be transported to our hotel in Cusco on our return.
After the train ride, we arrive in Aqua Cliente and our duffel bags are tagged to check in at the hotel. We catch the bus to the entrance to Machu Pichu. It’s a 25-minute ride up a road that is steep, winding and not paved. The bus drivers don’t blink an eye as I ponder the cliff through the window.
After entering the site, we start hiking up the hill, the first view of Machu Pichu takes your breath away. We are here before 11:00 am, so not too many crowds just yet. We spend about 3 hours hiking the site with Rubin giving great commentary and then head back down the hill for lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge and a return bus ride.
Our hotel is the Machu Picchu Hotel where we have a nice casita in the ‘rain forest’. After a quick shower, we’re out to explore. We find a little restaurant just outside the hotel grounds that have craft beers (and wine). We share a nice hour with our servers – Diana and ‘John – from Peru’ as he says. Dinner is at the hotel. Dick tries the Cuy (Guinea Pig) and I have the grilled trout. Another early night (I’m tired) and we have an early start tomorrow.
M
Sol y Luna has been a fantastic place to stay with beautiful grounds, ringed by the Andes, great food & pub – two nights wasn’t enough. But, we’re off to Machu Picchu!
No cars are allowed on the final leg to Aqua Caliente, Machu’s access village, so Marco & Rubin pick us up at the hotel and shuttle us to the train depot in Ollantaytambo. We’re on Peru Rail’s ‘Vista Dome’ which follows the Urubamba river to Aqua Caliente. It’s a beautiful ride along the river valley with massive peaks and small villages along the route. On arrival, gents from the lodge gather our luggage then Mary, Rubin, and I head for the ruins. The 20-minute bus ride to the park entrance is wild with tight lanes, hairback turns and xxx-thousand (who knows!) foot drop-offs. Near the top of the ride we get our first glance at the ruins. Unreal views against a beautiful blue sky.
Rubin walks us through what is called the ‘central route’ through the urban sector. Terraces, residential compounds for commoners and royalty abound. Built as a royal estate for an Inca emperor, the site is classical Inca style with polished stone walls and is situated above the Urubama River which surrounds the site on 3 sides. We have spectacular views of the two mountains that frame the site – Machu Picchu (for which the site is named) and Huayna Picchu. The location of the city was a military secret (never discovered by the Spanish) with the deep (1500 ft) surrounding cliffs and steep mountains providing natural defenses and is incredibly imposing.
Seeing this was the dream of a lifetime.
D.
