The final day of Inca Trail to Machu Picchu was already here. We got up really early a bit after 2:00 am and I my legs were more in pain than tired after 3rd day hike yesterday. Also, I had only few hours of sleep and with a snoring of my friend in the tent it was very difficult to sleep. Even earplugs didn’t help, but slightly removed some of the noise. Do not forget them! The reason for getting up so early was to be the first at the gate, which opens at 5:30 am and there is quite long queue there to pass the passport check and be first at the Sun Gate!
Table of Contents
The Long Wait in the Dark for Final Hike to Machu Picchu
This morning we had no breakfast and just packed our things and headed to the gate. We’ve put our torches and backpacks and were marching down the hill. The hike to the gate wasn’t that long, but given my legs felt destroyed and going down I could especially feel in my thighs, like they’ve been ripped off and glued together – very stiff and very painful.
Around at 3:28 am we were already at the gate. Sitting a waiting for the sunrise. The guide handed in everyone a doggy bag with breakfast, but I refused as I already had an upset stomach and had a pretty bad diarrhoea when I woke up. Also I didn’t want to carry any extra weight with me. Though I regretted not taking the fruit later.
At 3:30 am the crowds started gathering at the gate and most of the people were standing, while we had at least a bench. The only downside was that the bathroom was only upstairs at the campsite. Yeah, the same one that was painful to climb down and I felt like a need to go for number 2. I ran up the stairs, did my thing and then I had to go down. I felt the same pain in my thighs, but determined to reach the Machu Picchu today I climbed down. I could see people peeing just behind the checkpoint booth, which I did too at some point as waiting for over 2 hours there was quite a long time.
Around 5:10 am we started seeing the first light coming out behind the mountains and in 20 minutes we could see the sun being reflected in the clouds and colouring them in orange colour. It was a fascinating view, something that my collegue told me 12 years ago!
At 5:17 am people started moving towards the gate, aligning into one long line. Exactly at 5:30 am they opened the gate, checked our passport and we were heading to the Sun gate. I felt excited that finally I will get to see Machu Picchu!
The Hike to Machu Pichu
It was the usual hike as the other days before, with a narrow path and steps up and down. It was somewhat narrower than other days and that’s why people want to be first to the gate. Later on the path overtaking is possible, but more difficult. There was also someone’s dog following us from the gate almost all the way to the Sun Gate.
The view of the moutains at sunrise was really impressive. Especially the clouds looked this orange colour when they got lit by the sun light. I wish it was a bit less cloudy, as there was not enough light for nice crispy pictures, but what can I do right? I was just walking and enjoying the views and I was very happy that it was the last day of the trek.
I didn’t take much pictures until I actually reached the “Monkey Steps” leading to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). Instead I was just filming with my GoPro. Those steps were something else! Most people just crawled on their fours, while the guides just walked through them as it was nothing. My breath was so heavy and I really struggled. I was gasping for air and stopped in midway of the steps to make some pictures and footage of my friends climbing. There is one of them in the picture climbing on four You can hear me panting in the video.
My legs were so much in pain after climbing this (as it was already before!), but I knew the end was close. I literally didn’t even stop anymore to rest and just pushed forward through the pain until I actually reached the Sun Gate! I didn’t even take my Ibuprofen tablets today as I forgot. I doubt it would helped anyway.
Sun Gate – Entrance to Machu Picchu
Finally I reached the Sun Gate! The satisfaction inside and anticipation of an amazing view overwhelmed my heavy breath. The Sun Gate, which the Incas called Intipunku, is more than just an old doorway—it’s the most spectacular entrance to Machu Picchu. When you finish your long Inca Trail Trek, then you will see this majestic high stone passage on a ridge. This gate also in the old times was the final stop on the Inca Trail, giving weary travellers their very first, unforgettable view of the magnificent city spread out below.
But the Incas were geniuses, and they built this gate with a secret. They aimed it perfectly at the sun. During the summer solstice, when the sun shines its highest, its first rays of light shoot right through the middle of the gate. This brilliant light then travels across the city, illuminating a special sacred stone called the Intihuatana. This incredible alignment shows us that the gate wasn’t just a physical checkpoint; it was a powerful tool for honouring their sun god, Inti.
In its time, the Sun Gate served a double purpose. It was a holy site, a place where the mountain and the sky met. But it was also a very practical fortress. It controlled who could come and go, acting like a guardhouse to protect the sacred city from outsiders. It was the place where you left the wild mountains behind and entered a world of precision, spirituality, and incredible human achievement.
I rushed through the Sun Gate to see the majestic Machu Picchu, but to my disappointment the cloud was just hanging and covering entire site. “All this 4 day struggle for this?”, I thought to myself. However, the guides told us to wait a bit as it was still early morning – 6:17 am.
We didn’t have to wait long and as if Incan gods have heard our cry and prayers in just three minutes the clouds started scattering and at 6:20 am I started seeing the majestic Inca site of Machu Picchu.
Finally, almost all clouds cleared up and the view of Machu Picchu was really impressive. Everyone was taking pictures, selfies and our guides were taking pictures of us with Machu Picchu site in the background.
After the photo sessions, we all were heading down. That road was easy as it was all down.
House of the Sun
We made a short stop at House of the Sun which has a small ceremonial platform, which is captured in a photo below. It is a very special spot on the path to Machu Picchu. While it’s easy to mistake it for one of the larger, more famous temples, this little ruin holds a unique purpose. As ancient pilgrims made their final descent from the Sun Gate, this was their last stop before entering the sacred city. The large, carved boulder at its centre wasn’t just a rock; it was a ‘huaca‘, a sacred stone imbued with spiritual power. Here, travellers would have paused to offer a final prayer, to purify themselves, and to feel the raw energy of the mountains and the sun before stepping into the main citadel. It’s a reminder that for the Inca, the journey itself was just as important as the destination, filled with its own sacred checkpoints and breathtaking views. I secretly touched the sacred stone with the tips of my fingers, hoping to feel some mystical energy or a spark. Unfortunately, nothing happened, just a satisfaction that Machu Picchu was almost there. One of my biggest dreams finally come true! I dreamt about it from 2012 and even had a picture on my debit card with Machu Picchu!
After a short stop, we continued down the path to Machu Picchu site.
Machu Picchu tour
First, we went to the andenes, agricultural terraces built by Inca for farming and helped prevent erosion, All the tourists were grouping there and taking pictures of the majestic Machu Picchu view. There was some Entitled gentlemen ruining everyone’s pictures standing in front of Machu Picchu. We had to move to the edge to avoid him in the photo. He probably got some special permit for that. The moment when they were pampering him and putting a make up.
I took quite few pictures of Machu Picchu site and here is another one, which came out really good.
While we were resting in the shadow under one of the terraces, there was a big bug flying around – Ten Lined June Beetle (Polyphylla decemlineata) also known Maschullo. They do look like Colorado potato beetle, but they are not, though in occations they might damage the potatoes, but they are not the potato pest like Colorado potato beetles. Also, it was quite big!
Once we’ve finished our photo shoots, we were heading to the exit, to get our entrance validated and continue with a Circuit 2. They had a toilet and a bag storage at the entrance. 2 Soles for the toilet and 5 Soles for bag storage. I had to use both as there was no place to pee from the passport check to Machu Picchu.
I even got a really cold Inca Kola from the vending machine. It was very sweet though, reminding a sweet lemonade, like those caramels, from Soviet times. It was a good boost of energy though with all of that sugar.
The House of the Guardians
The House of the Guardians, or Guard House, is one of the most significant buildings at Machu Picchu, not for its ornate design, but for its perfect location and purpose. Situated on a high terrace overlooking the main city, this simple stone building was a vital checkpoint and a place of spiritual importance for those arriving via the Inca Trail. It was one of the first structures pilgrims would encounter, offering them their first complete and breathtaking view of the entire citadel. This dramatic reveal, after a long and strenuous journey, was a deeply spiritual and unforgettable experience.
The building itself is a great example of the Inca’s more functional architecture. Its stonework is not as finely polished as the great temples, but it is built with an incredible sturdiness, featuring a simple rectangular design and a thatched roof. Its strategic position gave it a commanding view of all the surrounding valleys, allowing Inca guards to monitor who was approaching the sacred city. The House of the Guardians was, in essence, the final and most important gateway to Machu Picchu, controlling access to the holiest of Inca cities.
A large, carved ceremonial stone is located on the platform in front of the house, indicating that this wasn’t just a military post. It was also a sacred space where travelers would have paused for ritual, offering their final prayers before beginning their exploration of the city below. The Guard House is a beautiful blend of practicality and spirituality, a testament to the Inca’s ability to integrate defense, community, and religion into a single, cohesive design.
The Temple of the Sun
The Temple of the Sun, or El Templo del Sol, is arguably the most sacred and beautifully crafted structure in all of Machu Picchu. Located in the heart of the city, this magnificent building is not a square or rectangular room like others, but a unique semi-circular tower built on a massive natural rock. This special placement shows the Inca’s reverence for the natural landscape, as they shaped their architecture to fit the existing environment. Its curved wall is a masterpiece of stonework, with perfectly fitted blocks that follow the rock’s natural contour, creating an elegant and powerful design.
The temple’s purpose was deeply religious and astronomical. A large window on the east wall was precisely aligned to catch the first rays of sun during the summer solstice (June 21st). On this sacred day, the sun’s light would shine through this window and onto a ceremonial stone within the temple, marking the beginning of the new year for the Inca. This incredible alignment allowed priests to perform rituals to honor the sun god, Inti, and to track the seasons for farming. The temple’s inner chamber was likely a sacred space for the emperor and high priests, symbolizing the close connection between the Inca ruler and the sun itself.
The chamber beneath the Temple of the Sun, often called the Royal Tomb, is a fascinating and mysterious part of the site, even though it likely never held a body. This small, dark chamber was carved directly into the natural rock face that supports the temple above. The Inca carved a series of intricate niches into the walls, which were likely used to hold ceremonial offerings, sacred objects, or even mummified ancestors during rituals. The tomb’s unique design and its location directly beneath the holiest site in the city suggest that it was a place of immense spiritual power. It was a space dedicated to the sacred, connecting the Inca’s reverence for their ancestors and the earth below to their worship of the sun above. I tried to take a picture inside of that chamber, but it was not enough light to capture a clear picture and you can’t get too close either.
Temple of the Three Windows
Later we passed Temple of the Three Windows, but unfortunately our Circuit 2 didn’t include going close to it.
The Temple of the Three Windows is one of the most mysterious and visually striking structures in the main city of Machu Picchu. Located in the Sacred Plaza, its most notable feature is a single, massive wall containing three large trapezoidal windows that look out over the mountains. This simple but powerful design has fascinated archaeologists for decades. The temple’s stonework is a masterpiece of Inca architecture, with enormous, perfectly fitted stones that show the Incas’ incredible precision and skill without the use of mortar.
Masters of Architecture and Hydrology
Scholars believe the temple’s placement and design were no accident. The three windows likely held a deep spiritual or symbolic meaning. One theory suggests they represent the three worlds of the Inca cosmology: the upper world (Hanan Pacha), the middle world (Kay Pacha), and the underworld (Ukhu Pacha). The windows perfectly frame the surrounding mountains, which the Incas believed were sacred spirits, or Apus. By looking out of these windows, one could view the divine landscape, connecting the sacred space within the city to the sacred mountains outside.
Inside the temple, a ceremonial stone stands at the centre of the room. This stone, a form of a ceremonial altar, reinforces the structure’s religious importance. The temple was likely a place of high ritual, where priests would perform ceremonies to honour the gods and the natural world. This simple stone building, with its three iconic windows, stands as a powerful testament to the Incas’ sophisticated spiritual beliefs and their profound connection to the surrounding Andean landscape.
The ancient city of Machu Picchu, a marvel of engineering, relied on a complex system of water channels to thrive. The Incas were masters of hydrology, and the intricate network of canals they built is a testament to their genius. This system begins high above the city, where a spring-fed stream was diverted into a long, winding channel. This main channel, built from perfectly carved stone, then flows downhill, bringing a continuous supply of fresh water directly into the heart of the city.
The water didn’t just flow; it was carefully managed. The Incas created a series of 16 small fountains and stone pools along the main channel, situated next to the main stairwell of the royal chamber, providing clean water to the residents. The first of these fountains was reserved for the emperor and high priests to purify themselves, while the others were for the general populace. This system of gravity-fed fountains ensured that every person in the city had access to a steady supply of fresh water, a remarkable achievement for a city perched so high in the mountains. The picture I took just captured a small part of those fountains on the right. I wish I’ve taken a wide angle picture.
Beyond providing drinking water, the channels also served to drain rainwater and prevent erosion. The channels were built with a slight grade, which prevented the water from flowing too quickly and damaging the city’s infrastructure. This genius system allowed the city to survive in its precarious location for centuries, a silent tribute to the Incas’ deep understanding of both engineering and the natural environment they so deeply respected.
We could see differently built buildings when we were entering the complex. The Incas’ mastery of stonework is famously diverse, showcasing three distinct techniques depending on the building’s purpose. For their most important structures like the Temple of the Sun, they used a technique called ashlar masonry. This method involved cutting huge stones with such precision that they fit together perfectly, without any mortar. These carefully sculpted blocks create walls that have survived for centuries, often so tight a blade cannot be slid between them. For less sacred or secondary buildings, the Incas employed a more practical technique where stones were cut to a rougher shape and joined with a fine clay mortar. Finally, for their vast agricultural terraces, they used a much less precise method. Here, stones were left in their rough, natural state, simply stacked and packed together with earth. This allowed for quick and efficient construction while still creating a strong, functional wall to prevent erosion and create arable land on the steep mountainsides.
The Incas’ incredible architectural legacy at Machu Picchu survives not only due to their original skill but also because of a continuous effort to preserve it. A key part of this preservation involves the roofs. While many of the city’s stone structures are still intact, the original grass or hay roofs have long since decayed. To protect the walls and interior from the constant heavy rains of the Andes, modern preservationists meticulously reconstruct and install roofs made from ichu grass, a tough native plant. These recreated roofs are not just for aesthetics; they are a vital part of the preservation process, redirecting water away from the delicate stonework. This practice of rebuilding with traditional materials is a fascinating blend of ancient Inca methods and modern conservation science, ensuring that Machu Picchu’s magnificent stonework will continue to stand against the elements for generations to come.
I believe this glass covered pit was dug up by Kenneth Wright and his team who were conducting excavations and soil analyses in the 1990s to study the drainage system of the terraces. They found stones and gravel underneath, which makes a perfect drainage system in Machu Pichu.
Even though the place is busy with tourists, but insects found their homes in the site too. We saw a big Peruvian locust (Schistocerca interrita) and a nest of Peruvian wasps (Synoeca surinama) overhead in one of the temples.
Rock Carved Mortar Stone
Mortar Stone is a large, flat stone with two distinct circular depressions carved into its surface. These depressions were likely used as mortars for grinding corn, herbs, and other foods. The stone is found in the residential area of Machu Picchu, which tells us a lot about the daily life of the Inca. Its presence reveals that the city was not just a place of ceremony and worship, but also a functioning community where people lived and prepared food.
The stone is roped off to protect it from damage as an effort to keep the delicate surface intact for future generations. Not sure if the picture is the correct one of Mortar Stone, but if you know what it is, please do leave a comment.
The House of the Inca
The Inca doorway in the photo below is a perfect example of both the beauty and the engineering genius of this ancient civilisation. Unlike our modern rectangular doorways, this one has a distinctive trapezoidal shape with sides that slope inward, a brilliant design that made the structure incredibly strong and earthquake-resistant. The doorway’s fine, mortarless stonework shows the importance of the building it leads to, and the small stone pegs carved into the inner frame were likely used to secure a door or hang ceremonial textiles. This doorway is more than just an entrance; it is a symbol of a building’s sacredness and a testament to the Inca’s ability to blend function, durability, and artistry into every detail of their magnificent city.
I’ve stood there beside the House of the Inca, and what caught my eye was a particular stone jutting from the wall. It wasn’t the size of the stone that was remarkable, but a perfect, circular hole drilled straight through it. I remember thinking it looked like a torch holder, and maybe it was, but its location made me believe it had a more significant purpose. It was a silent testament to the rituals that once took place, and I imagined a sacred banner or the emperor’s own staff once resting there. That small detail, a simple hole in a stone, told a much larger story about the importance and symbolism that was woven into every part of this magnificent city.
The House of the Inca, located near the Temple of the Sun and the Sacred Plaza, is believed to have been the royal residence of the emperor himself. This building stands out for its exceptional stonework, showcasing a level of precision that was reserved for the most important figures. Its luxurious design includes a series of rooms and a private, stone-lined bath with its own water drain, a testament to the Inca’s advanced engineering and the high standard of living enjoyed by their ruler. Positioned at the very heart of the city, the House of the Inca was more than just a home; it was a symbol of the emperor’s divine authority and a central hub of political and spiritual power within Machu Picchu.
The Temple of the Condor and the Condor Stone
The Temple of the Condor is a truly remarkable piece of Inca artistry and spiritual belief. Located in the residential sector of Machu Picchu, this temple is not a traditional building but a natural rock formation that has been ingeniously carved and shaped to honor the sacred condor. The Condor Stone itself is the centerpiece: a massive natural rock that forms the body of the bird, with a carved stone head and beak protruding from the ground. Two large, flat stones placed on the ground nearby act as the condor’s magnificent wings.
The Incas revered the condor as a powerful spirit of the heavens, a messenger that connected the human world to the gods of the upper world. This temple was a sacred site dedicated to the condor, a place where priests would perform rituals. The ground beneath the condor’s “head” is a small cave or crypt that was likely used as a ceremonial tomb or a place for rituals, and archaeologists have found evidence of human remains buried there. This has led some scholars to believe the space may have been used for ceremonial burials or even human sacrifice, connecting the death of individuals to the powerful spirit of the condor and the gods of the upper world. It stands as a powerful reminder of how the Incas blended their architecture with the natural landscape and their spiritual devotion to the animals they considered divine.
Behind the beautiful Temple of the Condor lies a more mysterious and darker space: a cavern-shaped construction that has puzzled researchers for years. This underground cave is a labyrinth of stone niches, and its purpose is a source of fascinating debate. According to some research, these spaces may have served as prisons, holding those who were punished in Machu Picchu within its tight, carved cells.
However, there is another theory that suggests a more ceremonial purpose. The perfectly sized niches within the cave may have been used to house the mummified remains of the city’s most important personalities, such as priests. The chamber would have been a sacred burial place, connecting the dead to the spiritual rituals performed at the Temple of the Condor above it. Today, the entrance to these ‘prisons’ is closed to visitors, leaving the true purpose of this dark and silent cavern to the imagination.
Intihuatana Astronomical Instrument
The Intihuatana, which means “Hitching Post of the Sun” in the Quechua language, is one of the most mysterious and important artifacts at Machu Picchu. It is a finely carved stone pillar located in a prominent spot in the upper part of the city. While it’s often called a “sundial,” its purpose was far more complex and spiritual.
This stone was an advanced astronomical instrument that the Inca priests used to track the sun’s movements throughout the year. At noon on the two equinoxes (March and September), the sun stands directly over the Intihuatana, casting no shadow at all—a sacred moment that the Incas believed was a sign that the sun god, Inti, was “tied” to the stone. This allowed them to precisely time agricultural and religious ceremonies.
What makes it so captivating is that its purpose goes beyond a simple calendar. The Incas also considered it a spiritual power point, a place where the earthly world connected with the heavens. Many visitors today still report feeling a strong energy when they are near the stone. The Intihuatana is one of the few such stones to survive the Spanish conquest, as most were destroyed by the conquistadors who considered them blasphemous. Its survival is a testament to the fact that Machu Picchu was never found by the Spanish, leaving this incredible piece of history untouched. Just to mention, there is another similar Intihuatana stone is at Pisac.
Our circuit 2 should have taken us there, but not sure because we were out of time or guides just decided not to go there, we didn’t reach the Intihuatana and turned a bit earlier. Well that’s one more reason to come back. At least, I was able to zoom in with my Canon PowerShot SX70 HS all across the Machu Picchu site.
Strangely enough, when I took the photos below, you can see the buildings behind Intihuatana stone are further away, but in the pictures where it was extremely zoomed in with my Canon they look like they are next to it. I was really confused trying to figure out what it is.
House of the Priest
Opposite the imposing “Main Temple,” at the edge of the Sacred Plaza, stands a more humble but equally important building known as the Priest’s House. Explorer Hiram Bingham gave it this name, imagining this very spot as the place where the High Priest would prepare himself before stepping out to direct the sacred ceremonies taking place in the plaza. The building’s walls are more rustic than the perfectly cut stones of its neighbors, giving it a grounded, functional feel that contrasts with the grandeur of the surrounding temples.
This house has two doors that open directly onto the heart of the plaza, serving as a private, ceremonial entrance for the religious leaders. Inside, a series of neatly carved niches line the walls. These were likely not for decoration, but for holding the sacred ceremonial tools, intricate textiles, or other ritualistic objects needed for the day’s religious acts. The Priest’s House, with its simple beauty and direct connection to the main plaza, was not just a home, but a vital staging ground for the spiritual life of Machu Picchu, a quiet sanctuary where the city’s most powerful religious figures prepared to commune with their gods.
The Cinchona tree, also known as the “fever tree,” is a plant with a deep and fascinating connection to the Machu Picchu region. This tree, which is native to the cloud forests of the Andes, is the natural source of quinine. The Incas and other indigenous peoples of the area knew of the Cinchona’s medicinal properties long before the arrival of Europeans, using its bark to treat fevers and muscle spasms. The Quechua word for its bark, quina, is where the name “quinine” originates. The discovery of quinine by Europeans was a world-changing event, as it became the first effective treatment for malaria, a disease that had plagued people for centuries. Today, the Cinchona tree remains a symbol of the immense medicinal knowledge of the Inca people.
Huayna Picchu
Huayna Picchu, or “Young Peak” in Quechua, is the dramatic, cone-shaped mountain that provides the iconic backdrop for every photograph of Machu Picchu. But it’s far more than just a beautiful view. The Incas saw this mountain as a sacred peak and an integral part of the spiritual city below.
In ancient times, this mountain was a place of high ritual. At its summit, the Incas built a small temple and terraced platforms, a truly astounding feat of engineering given the steep terrain. Only a select few priests and high-ranking individuals would have made the treacherous climb to the top, where they could perform ceremonies and view the entire sacred valley from a god-like perspective. Halfway up the mountain, nestled in a cave on its slopes, is the Temple of the Moon, a mysterious and intricate ceremonial site that shows just how deeply the Incas revered this “young peak.”
Huayna Picchu nowadays is one of Machu Picchu’s most sought-after experiences. The hike to the top is a challenging and often nerve-wracking journey up steep stone steps and ladders, but the reward is an unparalleled, birds-eye view of the entire citadel and the surrounding Andes. It’s so popular that authorities limit the number of visitors to a few hundred per day, ensuring that climbing this sacred mountain is still a special and unforgettable pilgrimage. You do need to buy the ticket in advance, which we did and it was 75 USD. However, we decided not to climb for couple of reasons: 1. the legs were really tired and the hike is really steep (be warned if you are afraid of heights!) and takes around 3 hours; 2. we had to choose either do Machu Picchu tour or go to Huayna Picchu. So if you do want to do Huayna Picchu hike, do plan an extra day and come back the following day to do it (sleep over in Aguas Calientes), otherwise you will end up rushing just like we did and missed this opportunity.
Aguas Calientes
Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo, is a vibrant and bustling little town nestled deep in the canyon below the famous citadel. For those who have just completed the challenging Inca Trail, this town is a welcome sight. After days of rugged hiking through the mountains, it’s a bustling hub of modern life, offering the first hot shower and a real meal in a week.
This town is the ultimate base camp for all things Machu Picchu. It’s famous for having no roads connecting it to the outside world—you can only get in or out by train or on foot. The roaring Urubamba River runs right through the center of town, with the train tracks slicing through its heart. The entire place feels alive with the energy of a thousand different travelers.
The town’s name, “Aguas Calientes,” means “hot waters” in Spanish, and it’s named for the natural thermal hot springs located just a short walk from the main square. These springs are a favorite spot for tired trekkers to soothe their aching muscles after their long journey. While the town is purely a creation of tourism, it has a unique, rustic charm, with its lively market, small restaurants, and the stunning mountain peaks towering on all sides, making it an essential and memorable part of the Machu Picchu experience.
If you do have time, consider staying one night in there to explore the town and the market. Also, it is easier to come back to Huayna Picchu, after your Inca Trail Trek. Obviously, you don’t have to do Inca Trail or Salkantay Trek to get to Machu Picchu as you can always buy the ticket from official vendor (make sure to do that well in advance) and take a bus or hike up the short hike to Machu Picchu. However, at the time of writing the website seems was down, so yeah…. do plan in advance (3-6 months ahead your trip!). If you do try to buy on the spot, you will end up queuing a long queue and no guarantee you will get the ticket as it is very limited.
Once, we were done with Machu Picchu, we took a bus, which all was organised by Alpaca Expeditions, down to Agua Calientes. I’ve almost lost a phone in the bus as it fell off my pocket and I’ve noticed a moment I got off the bus! Luckily one person from our group saw it and brought it to me. Imagine half of the trip without mobile phone! It could have been a disaster!
Our guides took as for a lunch in MINKAY WASI RESTAURANT. Well clearly they get a commission out of that, but I must say the service and food was really good.
I’ve ordered the traditional Guinea Pig dish (cuy). It was 100 Soles (~£21) for the dish. Did I like it? Not really. I wanted to try it, but the look of the rat and quite difficult to chew skin and the fat, was not very intriguing. Even though, they sliced it for me as it is easier to eat it that way.
The Peruvian guinea pig, or cuy, is far more than a simple pet; it holds a place of honour on the dinner table, especially in the Andean highlands. This small animal has been a central part of Andean life for centuries, and today, it is a treasured culinary delicacy. For the Incas, the cuy was a sacred animal, used in important religious ceremonies and for divination to predict the future or diagnose illnesses. Its status as a sacred creature is deeply woven into the spiritual beliefs of the Andean people. Today, families often raise cuy for special celebrations like birthdays and holidays, and the dish, typically roasted whole and served with potatoes, is a symbol of community and festivity. Normally each member of the family gets one in the special occation. Andeans believe, according to our guide, that finding a specific small, V-shaped bone in the cuy’s neck brings good luck; many people save this “lucky bone” as a charm to ward off bad fortune and invite prosperity. This tradition of both a celebratory meal and a good luck charm beautifully ties modern Peruvian life to its ancient heritage. The guide dag out the bone from the left overs of my guinea pig and he was so happy to find it! Everyone in the group tried my guinea pig as there was plenty left of it.
We had some Pisco Sour shots before leaving and all were headed to the train station. We passed the famous market, but unfortunately we had no time to browse.
Train To Ollantaytambo
Make sure to book the train early. It doesn’t matter if you are doing or not the Inca Trail trek, the difference that if you book Inca Trail trek, then Alpaca Expeditions will arrange your ticket when you book the tour. Otherwise book through Inca Rail or Peru Rail directly. Oh yeah, make sure you book the Vistadome, so you have the best view from the train! The tickets sell out very quickly so do plan in advance (4-6 months in advance!). It was 75 USD only for the ticket to get from Aqua Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
We’ve passed the train station gates and we were patiently waiting for our train.
Once we’ve boarded, which was very hectic experience, we were sat in our seats and once the train moved we had entertainment of a dancing woman in a Diablada (Dance of the Devils) mask or a similar mischievous figure known as a Supaichay. Later there was a fashion show, where they demonstrated different alpaca wool products, which are available for purchase.
Once the dances were over we could enjoy the stunning views through the window. Oh yes, at some point the train stopped. It turns out a massive rock fell down and hit one of the carriages, leaving a massive dent in the train (some of our companions were on another carriage). Luckily, no one was injured and the train was able soon to continue to Ollantaytambo.
Once we reached Ollantaytambo, we walked to the bus (also organised by Alpaca Expeditions), which took us to Cusco. We arrived already after sun down. All the suitcases were already marked and waiting for us on the side of the street. Then we were all loaded into taxis and taken to our accommodations or some went straight to the airport.
We were finally in our accommodation at Terra Sagrada with a small balcony to the street. Tomorrow was a day off and dedicated to explore Cusco.
