Alturas de Machu Picchu

I arrived in Cusco, the tourism Mecca of South America. It truly is a lovely city if not for being swaped with extrañeros. After combating a bit of altitude sickness and a hatred of hills I explored the city, met some of the local peoples, and worked out how to get to Machu Picchu through the jungle.

Machu Picchu is reachable by going through many different mediums; most will break the bank. I found a way to go by public transport through the Sacred Valley and into the jungle via Santa Maria. The trip down the mountains into the jungle and back up to Santa Teresa was breath taking. Finally we followed the train tracks to Aguas Calientes.

The next day I rose at 3:45 AM to run up a mountain to be in Machu Picchu first. It was worth it as the photos will show.

I hiked up the highest peak behind Machu Picchu (not pictured) named Montaña Machu Picchu. It was hell, honestly, and I love climbing mountains. But as they say in Spanish, Vale la Pena.

I could not stand to stay another night in Aguas Calientes because the city made me desire to vomit profusely. I went back into the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo. The little town was a great place to visit.

Finally back to Cusco to organize myself for further adventures.