Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is the Holy Grail of any trip to Peru, and we finally made it there after 5 1/2 days of walking. Our trek turned out to be much more involved than the traditional Inca Trail. On the 6th day we woke up before the sun rose and started hiking up the last mountain to Machu Picchu. There are buses from Aguas Calientes, but we had come too far by foot to puss out then. It took us about 2 hours to climb up to the ruins. We barely missed sunrise, but it was pretty cloudy anyway, so I don't feel like we missed anything.

We spent most of the day at Machu Picchu, exploring the ruins by ourselves. In addition we hiked up to the top of Wayna Picchu (the mountain in the background of virtually all M.P. photos). I had been worried that after hiking for 6 days the ruins themselves would be disappointing, but they were magnificent. None of the other ruins we have seen in Peru come close to the grandeur of Machu Picchu. Mike commented that the mountains really set the scene, and he's right. Machu Picchu wouldn't be half as cool if it weren't for the peaks that surround it.

Enough of my blabbering -- how about some pictures?












This is Wayna Picchu.








This is the main entrance into the heart of Machu Picchu.





















These "flying steps" are an Incan innovation. These particular steps were over a 200 foot drop, which is why neither of us volunteered to be photoed on them!


On top of the Inca world...


Both pics were taken atop Wayna Picchu.







































Well, that covers our Machu Picchu pics. Mike's parents are actually visiting the ruins today, so maybe they'll share their impressions later. TTFN!