It was known to everyone, as it was to us, that Machu Picchu is a top destination in Peru, not to mention South America. What we didn't know was: How can we visit the lost Inca city with less money than those who mention the websites? Will we be able to buy tickets? How much are the tickets? Is there a place to sleep there?… Etc.
In spite of all the unknown questions, we decided to go, and as far as we could get. We knew that if we couldn't go, then we would at least try.
We arrived in Cusco late in the afternoon and the task of finding a place to sleep "in our style" (cheap, that is, criminal) turned out to be more difficult than we had imagined. However, we did our first task and enjoyed a hostel with plywood walls and water mode. But I will not go into details about the place. The next day we had a more important task: to find out how we can get to Aguas Calientes, the village from which the Machu Picchu path departs, and whether we can buy tickets and when.
We went to work early in the morning. We found the ticket office, which had been impatiently waiting for about a hundred people. We sat in the back of the long queue and waited in their questioning rhythm: "And will there be tickets for us, yet on the Internet it says that there are only 2500 tickets a day?" Finally, our turn came and what we heard from the voice coming from behind our box office was a surprise: - “If you do not have tickets for a train or bus to Aguas Calientes, you cannot buy tickets! You will have to buy on the spot, the tickets above are unlimited! ”We left the ticket office with relief. Now we just have to figure out how to get there.
All tour agencies, apart from selling a full package to Machu Picchu, also tried to push us with bus or train tickets, with the idea that there was no other option in front of us than to take advantage of their "courtesy". They also offered us a cheaper option in which we could go to Hydroelectricity and go from there to Aguas Calientes, again with their help. In a city like Cusco, overcrowded with tourists, it's hard to find locals who can direct you to the right place to take the bus to anywhere. I say the right one because there is a separate bus station in each destination. In the end, we came across several local people who told us the same place and decided it was the right one.
It's six o'clock in the morning. Anton and I are walking to the station as if we know where we are headed. After an 30 minute walk, we were in the right place and the price of the ticket ended in our favor. Almost four hours later, after descending the steep turns, we ended up at Hydroelectricity, a small village from which many people started climbing to Aguas Calientes on the train tracks to the same place. The warm air and the greenery from which we were surrounded immediately brought us the feeling of entering the jungle.
The exhausting but panoramic 11 km of walking on the tracks followed, and then we reached Aguas Calientes. We were in a hurry! We didn't know if we would be able to buy tickets before the ticket office closed, which further enhanced our tired look. Fortunately, we got tickets for the next day. We were at the only campsite that the municipality had to offer - right at the beginning of the trail. Now we could relax and wait anxiously for the coming morning.
Machu Picchu opens at 6 in the morning. In order to be one of the lucky ones to enjoy without being overcrowded, we had to be ready to climb an hour earlier. Of course, we were not the only ones in this opinion. Already at the beginning of the aisle, there was a ticket check that had formed a long queue. We're fine! And 20 a minute later, with the dozens of people beside us, we raced up a winding, winding, rocky path. Our ascent was about an hour, gradually opening up to us great views beneath the dawning sky.
Here that we were finally at our desired destination - Machu Picchu! With great amazement, we found another "pleasant" surprise. She had curled up in front of the checkout boxes, as long as the New Year's Choir, a tail that could hardly be traced to the beginning or end.
This only further heightened our curiosity and our eagerness to find out whether the lost Inca city - Machu Picchu is well deserved.
As we entered, we climbed more stairs that led us higher. Suddenly a breathtaking view opened up! A look we've only seen so far with ads from tour agencies and photos! A look that definitely has a place in my mind!
We enjoyed what was discovered before us and we were surprised to find out that we were actually going to have a long day. We thought the city of the Incas was just what we used to see on the internet. Alas! Machu Picchu is a huge complex where one can visit several remote ruins, from which no less impressive views are revealed. The first wreck we headed to before entering the city was the Inca Bridge, located 20 minutes from the park entrance.
The path leading to it was no less wonderful than the view that opened before us.
Walking along the paths around the city, we found a sign leading to the Sun Gate. 40 minutes later, after climbing under the hot jungle sun, we found ourselves at one of the highest points of the ruins and discovered a different, different view of the city.
We rested and admired the mountains that surrounded us! Here it is time to go down and take a closer look at Machu Picchu.
Entering through the gate, we found everything we needed for the existence of a city. In addition to many houses that surprised us with their height, we also saw several squares where they now gently graze lamas.
The Lost City of the Incas also has farmlands, fountains, and even primitive sewage, which for ours, I suppose, and your wonder is still functioning.
Eight hours later, after many walks and “explorations” around Machu Picchu, we were ready to say “Hi!” To one of our fulfilled desires, which we will definitely remember for a long time with the captivating beauty of the jungle. And imagine a city that was centuries ago a haven for many people, and today is inhabited only by lamas and arriving and departing tourists.
It follows: Sandboarding at the Huacachin Oasis
