We left Sol y Luna for the train station at Ollantaytambo, then traveled about ninety minutes to Aguas Calientes. The scenery was beautiful, and we shared a table with a couple who helped the journey pass quickly. He was interested in photography and showed us an image of the Maras salt ponds assembled from 93 separate photographs. Another thing to try someday.
Our guide met us at the station and took us to the bus for Machu Picchu. The train had arrived late, so lunch became a quick stop before our two o’clock entrance.
Even the bus ride was remarkable. Looking up at the steep mountains reminded me of the floating mountains in Avatar.
Then we entered Machu Picchu.
Wow.
We spent the afternoon walking Circuit 2, stopping often for photographs and a closer look. After several days of extraordinary Inca sites, we were still asking the same questions. How did they cut the stones to fit so tightly? How did they shape these terraces? How much work—and how many years—had gone into building this place?
Here, surrounded by mountains, those questions felt even larger.
There was one less wonderful part of the afternoon. We had packed insect repellent, but it was in the overnight bag heading to the hotel. Shirley was wearing a skort, and the mosquitoes found her immediately. She said her legs were black with bugs. Thankfully, someone offered repellent, which solved the immediate problem, though the bites stayed with her.
A useful reminder: things packed in the wrong bag aren’t especially useful.
After our visit, we checked into Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo for dinner and the night.
The next morning, we returned with our guide for Circuit 3. This route took us down among the ruins, giving us a different perspective on the place we had looked across the afternoon before. Once again, it was absolutely amazing. I kept wondering how they could have planned and built something so intricate without blueprints.
Our guide was knowledgeable and knew good places to stop for photographs. Having two visits gave us time to see more of the site, though I still left wanting more.
Afterward, we took the bus back to town for lunch, collected our bags, and boarded the train to Ollantaytambo. We shared the ride with a friendly couple from Boston, then met our guide and driver for the two-and-a-half-hour drive to Cusco.
The departure felt a little rushed. Another night would have given us time to wander around Aguas Calientes and enjoy where we were before moving on.
And next time, I’d want tickets for the steep climb we’d seen—the “stairway to heaven.” It looked incredible.
Over those two days, that familiar grin kept returning. Happy to be on the road. Amazed that we get to do this.
