Cuzco Day 2 - Machu Picchu!

The second day of our trip was Machu Picchu! Machu Picchu is a huge city of the Incas in the Andes Mountains that was "rediscovered" in 1911 and is one of the new 7 wonders of the world. Our day started at about 5:15am to catch a 4-hour train ride from Cuzco to the base of the mountain that contains Machu Picchu. C.J. slept through most of the trip, but Keri got to see some amazing views as we rode through the valley between some HUGE mountains.

When we arrived, it had started to rain (summer=rainy season in the Cuzco area). We then had to take a half hour bus ride straight up the side of a mountain to Machu Picchu. The roads were barely wide enough for one bus, and there were no guardrails to keep us from plunging down the mountainside into the swirling Urubamba river below, but that didn't seem to stop the bus drivers from going as fast as they could around the curves!

Once at Machu Picchu, our guided tour started. We took a few pictures, but after about 45 minutes of our guide repeating himself and us really not understanding much of what he was saying, we overheard that the Waynapicchu hike closed at 1pm. Since we didn't have time in our schedule to hike the 4-day Inca trail, we really wanted to hike Waynapicchu (the mountain overlooking Machu Picchu where there are MORE ruins), so we left our tour and literally ran to the trail head.

We were 10 minutes late, but after some pleading the man at the gate allowed us to climb. It was HARD. The hike took us straight up the mountainside with stone steps the whole way that were slippery from the rain. Those of you who have a fear of heights should not schedule that hike if you ever make it to Machu Picchu. We were very tired when we got to the top after about an hour of stair climbing, but the view was AMAZING! It's impossible to capture in pictures what it felt like to be standing among many the mountain peaks surrounded by a swirling mist and overlooking a city that was built hundreds of years ago. This was definitely the highlight of the trip!

Waynapicchu

We made it!

The view

Keri was a little nervous about going down this way!

C.J. on one of the terraces

After being wet from rain and sweat all day, riding the bus down the mountain, and a having a 4 hour train ride home, we were good and ready for a hot shower and BED! What an amazing day!

Here are some more pictures from the day: