Cuzco and Machu Picchu

Trip Start Feb 20, 2008

Trip End Dec 15, 2008

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Flag of Peru Cusco, Peru
Tuesday, August 26, 2008

The day after we flew into Cuzco we took our train trip up to Machu Picchu for a truly wonderful day at the Inca ruins. The sheer audacity and ambition it takes to build a city so high and remote in these enormous mountains is breathtaking. Whilst wandering around the site, your eyes are continuously drawn to the extraordinary views which are constantly changing. The ruins are not very ruined, and you can wander almost everywhere at your own leisure, and easily imagine how Inca life was organised. A memorable day and one of the highlights of our trip so far.

Machu Picchu is Peru's top tourist attraction (by a mile) and yet they limit the numbers of visitors per day to 2500 (still too many, for some). Although it can feel a bit busy when you get caught up in a large tour group, it can also feel relatively empty at times because it's such a large site. As you can see from the photos, it certainly didn't seem overcrowded. The downside....the cost of doing the trip is a bit staggering, even if you go independently. Don't mind paying the high entrance fee (and it's a lot cheaper for Peruvians) but $200 for the bone-shaking, tediously long train journey to the ruins takes the biscuit. PeruRail have a monopoly on the train services to and from the site. They can pretty much charge what they like and the trains still fill up. Someone should tell Richard Branson. Sacrificial Virgin Rail?

Post your own travel photos for friends and family Pictures

Cuzco´s main plaza	Dymph with Wayna Picchu mountain behind	the view from the Caretaker's hut	the agricultural terraces at Machu Picchu
the main Plaza at Machu Picchu	the Temple of the Sun with Wayna Picchu behind	the view from the ruins	the view of Cuzco from our hotel

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Comments

caronkerr on Sep 1, 2008 at 09:17AM

WOW
Wow - Machu Pichu looks amazing - I am definitely going to visit one day - I have always fancied seeing Peru by train - there are some amazing train journeys available I believe - but by the sounds of it I had better start saving :-)
Sounds like you are having a great time !
Josh and NAtty are back to school this week - so some normality should return soon. I am a bit tired of being the only one working in this house !! We are all well and looking forward to seeing you in December.
Love from Caron, Josh and Natty xxx

gity on Sep 4, 2008 at 09:47AM

from Gity and Mark
This looks like one of the best parts of your trip.
Dymphna looks lovely and well.
Parviz and Shahin are passing through London later this month and are coming to see us for the day in Ludlow. Charlie was very impressed with the cat
petroglyph and he is purring with satisfaction on his bed while the rain continues to ruin what is left of the English summer.
Love from Gity and Mark

gity on Sep 4, 2008 at 09:49AM

Re: from Gity and Mark