Machu Picchu

After leaving Manu, we had a brief stop in Cusco, which allowed us to get through the worst of some stomach problems that had flared up the morning we left Manu. Fortunately, the desire to be in prime condition to see Machu Picchu overpowered any competing interest to see more of Cusco that day. So we rested.

Early the next day, we took the train to Aguas Calientes, the small tourist trap that everyone visiting Machu Picchu passes through at some point. We arrived just before noon, met our English-speaking guide, and headed straight for the site. We had to: we only had the afternoon to spend at MP because we hadn't been able to get seats on a late enough train the next day to have time to return to MP. That meant no chance of catching sunrise at MP or hiking, Wainya Picchu, the small peak that rises above the site. Truthfully, both of us were a bit relieved to be dropping the idea of waking up at 3am to wait in line for the first buses to Machu Picchu. Instead, we tried to be the last to leave MP in the afternoon, snapping some pictures as the sun set.

Machu Picchu is probably the best documented of the sights we've seen, so there's not much for us to add. We had a fairly typical experience, though I did lead Dixie on a rather meaningless 40 minute hike because I "can't read simple maps very well" (Dixie, consider this my penance).

I will say, though, that despite the hype surrounding Machu Picchu and the climax of our trip in Manu, Machu Picchu did not disappoint. Hopefully the pictures won't either.