Peru - Machu Picchu

It was when I was 22 year old. With another Japanese in college, we flew from New York, and spent in Peru for 10 days. My schedule was as follows

0th Flew from NYC
1st Lima
2nd Cuzco
3rd Ollantaytambo
4th Machu Picchu
5th Cuzco
6th Puno
7th Uros Floating Island
8th Lima
9th Flew back to NYC

About Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu was my dream destination.

From Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu, you take a rapid train (Inca Rail). We booked this ticket two weeks prior to the date through the website. While in the train, I saw several people walking up the trail. This time, I was okay not doing so, since I was pretty cautious, but still I wish I was a part of it lol

When we arrived Aguasa Calientes (Machu Picchu Village), we went straight to the bus ticket booth and bought a ticket. Otherwise, it would have been a long queue (well it was too late actually). If I had time, I would have walked. But we bought time as it was already 10 AM when we got here.

*Once the number of visitors reaches 2,500, you have no right to enter.

This website has the best info about "how to get to Machu Pucchu". Please refer to this page for the actual and updated information

http://wikitravel.org/en/Machu_Picchu

It is walkable to go up from the Machu Picchu village. So if you have time, I truly recommend walking up there. Forest around Machu Picchu looked quite beautiful.

Once you get there, all you have to do is walk around this small village. I don’t think I have to talk about Machu Picchu in detail and you don’t have to know much in order to enjoy here. You will enjoy the view of this architecture on top of the hill, surrounded by mountains no matter what (I assume most of you, this is the purpose of you coming to Peru). But if you would like to know further, please dont hesitate to ask me any questions :)

2 notes

1) Don’t forget to have coins with you. You need to pay to use the bathroom, but the one in Machu Picchu has toilet paper at least.

2) Make sure to bring passport with you. I am sure you want to have a stamp on Passport. There will be a long long queue, so if you find less people at the entrance, go get it right away.

After coming down from Machu Picchu, we visited the village for a while. The village is great but don’t purchase any survenior unless you dont travel any other cities such as Cuzco and Lima.

One thing I regret is not purchasing the ticket to climb up Huayna Picchu. Limited to 400 people per day, but you would not want to miss it. People who climbed up there said is better view :) And if you can, stay a night in Machu Picchu Village. Sun Dawn would be the best timing to visit Machu Picchu.

After visiting Machu Picchu, I promised to the mountain that I will do the Inca trail next time I come back to Peru. So if anyone would be interested ... :)