After waking up at 4:30am, we quickly realize for what purpose we've risen so early. As night 3 brings us to a point where many campers gathered, our guide strategically places us as the first group to enter the check point to Machu Picchu and therefore the 1.5 hour hike - mainly flat - leaves us alone, with our thoughts to ourselves, and our final hike to take in.
We slowly make our way upward to the Sun Gate, at which point, for the first time we see Machu Picchu. Just like the millions of photos that have been taken of this place, its splendor sits in between two mountain ranges, green and powerful. Only unlike the pictures, we can actually see it, walk it, feel it...and in only a way that mountains can provide, I feel surreal.
With our guide we enjoy a morning tour of all the important points in Machu Picchu, and then we grab our bus to Aguas Caliente, at which point we'll take Peru Rail back to Ollantaytambo, and then another bus to Cusco (about 4 hours in total). As a side note, by about 10am, Machu Picchu is busy ...so, just another bonus of taking the trail, is being able to arrive in the serenity of the early morning.
Upon emerging back into the noise and tourism of Aguas Caliente, I find an
We slowly make our way upward to the Sun Gate, at which point, for the first time we see Machu Picchu. Just like the millions of photos that have been taken of this place, its splendor sits in between two mountain ranges, green and powerful. Only unlike the pictures, we can actually see it, walk it, feel it...and in only a way that mountains can provide, I feel surreal.
With our guide we enjoy a morning tour of all the important points in Machu Picchu, and then we grab our bus to Aguas Caliente, at which point we'll take Peru Rail back to Ollantaytambo, and then another bus to Cusco (about 4 hours in total). As a side note, by about 10am, Machu Picchu is busy ...so, just another bonus of taking the trail, is being able to arrive in the serenity of the early morning.
Upon emerging back into the noise and tourism of Aguas Caliente, I find an
uncomfortable feeling creeping up in me and quickly realize that just those four quiet days with the Andes left me with a serenity I haven't felt in a very long time. I find myself struggling and wanting to go back to the peacefulness of the Andes and to hold on to just one more day of that energy, that tranquility.
Comically, this feeling becomes even more prominent as the bus winds down an extremely narrow switchback road from Machu Picchu to Aguas Caliente, and I am now certain that I really want to be back on my feet, maneuvering my own body through the trails. And so, I divert my mind and retrace the last four days.
I'm only now beginning to realize just how lucky I, and the rest of my group, are. We all felt so genuinely satisfied by the fact that we hiked the authentic Inka Trail in order to view Machu Picchu. Especially once you see all the tourist buses pulling up you realize that those people will never understand this beauty like you are...because you endured it, embraced it, challenged it and nurtured it. This trek is one of the top 10 in the world, and after completing it, I can see why.
I'm only now beginning to realize just how lucky I, and the rest of my group, are. We all felt so genuinely satisfied by the fact that we hiked the authentic Inka Trail in order to view Machu Picchu. Especially once you see all the tourist buses pulling up you realize that those people will never understand this beauty like you are...because you endured it, embraced it, challenged it and nurtured it. This trek is one of the top 10 in the world, and after completing it, I can see why.
Now...what's next?
machupichuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
ReplyDeletegreat!
Hail from the north mountains of Aragón _SPAIN