Machu Picchu: quite the amazing place

Me at Machu Picchu

Getting There

Hiking the train track from the hydroelectric power plant

I wanted to do some hiking, but I did not think that I wanted to something like the Inka trail where I would be hiking without shower for four days. After talking with a few people, I decided to get a ride to the hydroelectric power plant that sits about 12 km from Aguas Calientes (the base town for Machu Picchu). It was a fantastic hike that followed the train tracks along side the river. The entire hike was filled with the magnificent scenery of the mountains that were along the river. As I looked up, I could see ruins far atop some of the mountains that I later determined were in fact Machu Pichu.

The road to the hydroelectric; probably much like the death road

This river coming from the side of the mountain was quite a sight to see

Looking up river where I was hiking

Can you see the ruins atop these mountains?

River rapids. I did not see anyone rafting.

Arriving in Aguas Calientes

Hiking up to Machu Picchu

Crossing the bridge at the base of the mountain

I spent the night in Aguas Calientes and got an early start in the morning. I was going to take the bus up. We were waiting for 30 to 45 minutes to board the bus. I finally pinned down one of the employees. It seemed there was a problem with the road. So, I sold my bus ticket to someone and hiked up the mountain. I arrived at about the same time as some of the people I was waiting in line with. My only reason for taking the bus was that I thought it would arrive before sunrise. As it turned out, the sun rose behind the clouds anyway. So I preferred the hike over the bus ride.

As I hiked up, the clouds started breaking with peaks through to the neighboring mountains

Machu Picchu 

Machu Picchu upon arrival

As I arrived in Machu Picchu, the clouds opened enough to reveal an amazing place situated so high. The clouds would come and go throughout the day. Almost all pictures required panorama in order to appreciate the scene.

Looking down at where I hiked into Aquas Calientes

Me at the Inka Bridge

The Only Negative - I did not get to hike to Huayna Picchu

I bought a ticket to hike Huayna Picchu. When I was buying it, I did not have my phone and I did not know the date I was going. I did know I was going on Tuesday. I kept asking the ticket personnel "this is Tuesday correct?" They assured me it was. I trusted them, but the ticket they gave me was for Monday. When I got to Machu Picchu, they would not work with me in any manner. I offered to buy another ticket, but no. So to the management of Machu Picchu, I offer you my fully extended middle finger.