Jan 19, 2013 - Machu Picchu - an ancient wonder in a modern world

Today we are at sea again after our three-day off-the ship- excursion to Machu Picchu. I can describe the visit in two words: exhilarating and exhausting! Exhilarating in that until you actually set foot on the site, pictures really do not do it justice. Exhausting in that the air is thinner at 11,000 feet (Cusco) and 7,000 feet (Machu Picchu). We began our journey by bus to from the cruise port in Callao (port for Lima, Peru) to the airport. Then, an hour and a half by plane to Cusco. Once in Cusco, we were bussed to the hotel, El...

Dec 25, 2012 - Machu Picchu

So we've seen and done Machu Picchu. As cliche as it is to say, it's warranted -- words CANNOT describe what we saw. I won't even try to describe it further; you'll see the photos. (which don't do it justice either) We took a bus at 5:30 AM to get there, because there are legitimate monsoons during night/morning here. (It's the rainy season and this region is a rainforest) However, the rain and clouds subsided at around 7:30. We hiked the Inca Trail, explored the site and even had time to relax and catch some rays. The hiking was steep and...

Nov 18, 2012 - Machu Picchu

Saturday 17th We left Cusco to go to Ollantaytambo then we caught the 1pm train to Machu Picchu station at Aguas Calientes. The train journey takes 90 minutes, travels 43km following the river through the mountain valleys. Mountains tower above and jungle beside the river. We could see current settlements and Incan remains, all of which the Incan trail follows. Walked up to hotel at top of town. Left bags and walked down to explore town and markets. Had a beer and then it started to rain heavily so returned to hotel. Met in main square...

Nov 14, 2012 - Super cool, mucho amazing Machu Picchu

On November 8th we all embarked on our 4 day, 3 night treck along the Inca trail to Machu Picchu. We walked a total of 45 km, conquered 3 mountain submits, trekked through rain, sun, and wind, reached altitudes higher than any of us had ever hiked at before, and made our way through both mountainous (Andes) and jungleous (Amazon) terrain. Pre-departure: The night before we left for our treck we met our guides and the group of 15 that we would be trekking with at 7pm for pre-departure meeting. Although we had heard great things about SAS,...

Oct 6, 2012 - Mucho Machu Picchu

Sometimes as a traveller you build up your expectations of what a place will be, only to be disappointed when you get there. We got up at 5am to take the bus to Machu Picchu and already it was raining and the dawn was lost in cloud. By the time the (now full) bus reached the site, the high ridge on which Machu Picchu perches was blanketed in fog. Jen and I pulled out our trusty ponchos, bought years ago, and never worn, and slipped them on. We made our way to the centre of the site, up and down narrow, wet stairs, trusting our guide to show...

Sep 21, 2012 - Aguas Calientes-Machu Picchu

We have looked at dozens of pictures ... we have read the travel books ... we have talked to friends who have been to Machu Picchu.  With all of that, there is nothing that can prepare one for seeing the sanctuary for the first time.  Nothing.  It is truly and experience that leaves one in absolute awe ... of the engineering, the architecture and how the Incas had respect for following the shape of the stone. We were up at 5 in the hopes of getting to the top for sunrise. Although were inn the bus queue before 6, we didn't get to the top...

Sep 14, 2012 - Machu Picchu

Trains, planes, automobiles, and boats to get around South America and the ride to our visit to Machu Picchu was grueling but amazing. What amazes me the most about Peru and the people here is that most of the people here from Incan times right to today live and build and work at an altitude higher than our highest peaks in the United States. Andrea and I have not gone below 10, 000 ft in almost a week now and we still find ourselves wheezing due to the altitude, but these people built one of the wonders of the world up at this altitude and...