Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey takes us from an early start at Winayhuayna at first light until we reach the Sungate from where the sun rises over Machu Picchu. From there we descend to the spectacular Machu Picchu straddled over a saddle. We explore the ruins for several hours before heading down to the river and following it upstream to Calles C for lunch. From there we catch a train to Ollantaytambo before driving back up to Cuzco.
Today's Journey
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An early morning start at Winay Wayna takes us a little uphill towards the Sungate at Intipunku. We reach the ruin at sunrise. |
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It is overcast at the Sungate, but from here we see the ancient retreat of Machu Picchu straddled across a saddle high above a meander in the Urubamba River thundering far below. |
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Passing some ruins on the way to Machu Picchu. This was the final guard area to let people who have travelled over 80 kilometres from Cusco into Machu Picchu. |
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The final descent into the ruins of Machu Picchu built over the saddle high above the river. Abandoned for hundreds of years, it was rediscovered in almost perfect condition in the jungle here in 1911. |
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Exploring the residential area of Machu Picchu. |
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Inside one of the stone buildings. The roof of each building was thatched like this, but this has long rotted away on most buildings. |
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View over the ruins of Machu Picchu, with the temples in the centre foreground, the royal palaces to the left and the residential and trade area to the right. |
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Close view of the buildings of the royal quarters. |
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From Machu Picchu, we head down to the river and follow it upstream for a few kilometres to the town of Aguas Calientes hidden deep under the towering mountains. The river bank and road are damaged from flooding several months ago. |
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From there we catch a train back to Ollantaytambo where we quickly change over to our van and head back to Cusco where we spend a final night before heading into the Amazon basin tomorrow. |
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