Machu Picchu.
At 4:30am the alarm on my cellphone went off as I laid there staring at it. I hadn’t slept at all. I was just waiting with restless anticipation. The girls and I got dressed quick and met Juan Carlos in the lobby to set out into the darkness. It was day 4 of our trip and this was the final push to Machu Picchu.
The welcome sign at the trailhead to Machu Picchu (5am)
My adrenaline rushed as we passed a handful of other groups leading up to the trailhead from Aguas Calientes. Within 15 minutes into the hike I found myself alone, flying up the mountain, like I was 13 again, running down the stairs on Christmas morning. Only this time, the stairs were steep, wet, rocks that led straight up and there was over a thousand of them.
The dark hike up to Machu Picchu
Sweaty, tired and excited, I reached the main gate just before 5:40am. The doors opened at 6, so I waited impatiently as other hikers trickled in, followed by tour bus after tour bus.
One of the first ones waiting at the main entrance of Machu Picchu
The morning was cloudy and rainy, but it couldn’t hide the incredible feeling I got when I saw that big beautiful bastard for the first time. It was quiet, mysterious, and felt so weird to actually be standing there.
Love at first sight. Walking up to Machu Picchu for the first time.
My First Glimpse of Machu Picchu: 6:14am
After about an hour tour of the grounds with Juan Carlos, he bid us farewell and I split with the girls to hike up Huayna Picchu (or Waynapicchu, is the big mountain you see behind Machu Picchu). The 35-minute hike was steep and intense, but the view down was breathtaking. You could see Machu Picchu and all it’s dramatic surroundings. I sat up there for about an hour watching the fog roll in and out, just trying absorbing and appreciating the moment.
The view of Machu Picchu from Huayna Picchu (Waynapicchu)
By the time I made my way back down Huayna Picchu, people had already started clearing out as the weather didn’t cooperate with their plans. I ducked into one of the many old doorways, watching and waiting as the rain washed everybody away.
The morning fog rolled into Machu Picchu and carried everyone else out.
Annika did not appreciate the morning fog at Machu Picchu
My hideout as the rain picked up at Machu Picchu
Hey look what I found!
By 2pm, the clouds cleared and so did the crowd. It was like the Picch was just testing the resilience of people… “Amazing is worth sticking it out for.” Life lesson?
For the next 2 hours I virtually had the whole place to myself. The sun was shining and it felt great on my cold, wet face. I walked around silently, soaking it all in…
The clouds lifting on the ruins of Machu Picchu
The ruins of Machu Picchu
The ruins of Machu Picchu
The ruins of Machu Picchu
Working to maintain this incredible site.
The ruins of Machu Picchu - An Inca doorway
The ruins of Machu Picchu - View of the terraces from the window
The ruins of Machu Picchu
Llamas hangout out on the grounds of Machu Picchu
Incan Llamas @ The Picch
A lone tree in the middle of Machu Picchu, oh the stories it could tell.
Before the time came to leave, I made my way to the main entrance to Machu Picchu from the Inca Trail known as the Sun Gate. It’s another 35-40 minute hike (mostly flat) to get there but it provides a different look at the Picchu that is equally as stunning as all the rest.
The trail to the Sun Gate from Machu Picchu
The Sun Gate - Main Inca Entrance to Machu Picchu
The view of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate
I walked back from the Sun Gate and stole one last glimpse of Machu Picchu just as the afternoon sun illuminated the ruins beautifully.
My last photo at Machu Picchu. The money shot.
I was one of the first ones on the mountain in the morning and made sure I was one of the last ones to leave for the day. Feeling so fortune and overwhelmed by the whole experience I made my way down to Aguas Calientes and met up with the girls just in time to catch the train back to Cusco.
As the train left the station, we popped the bottle of champagne I had been carrying with me throughout the trek to celebrate our day and this unforgettable experience.
Celebrating after we devoured the Picch!
I wish I could have shared this experience with friends and family. I will definitely back again one day.
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Before visiting Machu Picchu, read “The Celestine Prophecy” by James Redfield.
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CHECK OUT PART 1: The Trek to Machu Picchu
Awesome post! This has been on my list of places to go before I die for a loooong time. You’ve done an excellent job capturing the spirit (as much as can be captured in pictures and words). Two Big thumbs up!!
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