Machu Picchu

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How many people get to see Machu Picchu? I am one of those lucky individuals, and not only that, to have been there twice. For my first visit in 2010, it was the culmination of a trek across the Andes see my blog: Machu Picchu (2010)  The second time round was just as special because this time I am with my daughter.
The spectacular setting of the ancient city draped in a saddle on the rugged Andean mountain range is as exciting as ever.
Eight years later: the crowds and access permissions have changed. Machu Picchu was then, but even more so a coveted item on the tourist itinerary. Now you have to book ahead well in advance and have either a morning or afternoon session. Also a visit to Huayna Picchu (that little peak on the end of the town) is sold out very quickly.
I managed to get a ticket to see Montana and Machu Picchu for a morning session. Our host at our accommodation in Ollayantambo was very kind to assist us to get to the station for a 5:30am start.  We were grateful too as we are quite weary from our travels from Huaraz yesterday.  It was pitch black on the path to the station and we reckon that without that help we'd be floundering and lost for days to come.
Tourists are only permitted to travel on the upmarket carriage to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base, not to worry it's nice to be able to sit back and feel like royalty.  There are shuttle buses every 10 minutes or so from Aguas Calientes running up to Machu Picchu and we were keen to get on the first ones in the endeavour to beat the crowds.
The shuttles and crown management was well managed. The main thing to know is that there is no food and water inside the complex. If you have to leave the complex it is quite an ordeal to come back in again. We took inadequate amounts of water and suffered as a result.

When Machu Picchu was unveiled, Steph shed a tear or too. Her dreams have been surpassed. For me, even though it was my second time, the interval was sufficient to maintain an interest. It's the animals and their appearance as guardians that do it for me.
We had some fun playing peek a boo with the phone camera as well, great to be a kid again.
Montana is a separate option as is Huayna Picchu. They are basically the peaks on the end of the saddle. After a preview of the citadel proper we headed promptly for Montana at its opening time, again to beat the crowds. We intended to go back before the second wave of visitors. You are not supposed to backtrack, but - oh well, we are here once, and that toilet stop was necessary.
I suggest that the option to ascend  Montana be declined by those who are unfit. As I alluded to earlier, we also ran out of water. The reason is that it is a long unrelenting stair climb.
Yes the view are good from its lofty perch, but then they are better lower down because it's too high up. One thing is for certain, you do get a great sense of achievement once you have reached your goal
Our visit to Machu Picchu: no disappointment; Steph was happy and I was happy too. On leaving, we had a  stroll round the markets in Aguas Calientes, I bought a poncho and a nice meal in one of the public bars, but we were quite tired, so we returned on the 6pm train - and somehow found our way back to the accommodation in Ollantytambo.

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Location: 08680, Peru

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