One of the 7 new wonders of the world

From Cuzco I headed for Machu Picchu, the most important still preserved Inca temple and one of the 7 new wonders of the world. The Incas built the city in the 15th century at an altitude of 2430 meters on a ridge between the peaks of Huayna Picchu and the mountain of the same name. It is also known as the lost city of the Incas. In 2017, more than 1.4 million people visited the site, which corresponds to a daily average of almost 3,900 people.

Expensive train or cheap bus?

It was one of the most expensive tourist attractions of the trip I visited. The entrance fee alone amounted to 50 $. The train from Cuzco would have cost $230 return, the bus to the mountain another $24. 

I decided for the cheaper option and took the bus. It drove 7 hours through mountain roads with many curves and deep abysses without barriers. It makes you a little sick. After the long drive I had to walk for another 3 hours along the train tracks. In many other countries this probably could not be done for safety reasons. After that you arrive in the small of Aguascalientes near a river where all the tourists reside.

Leaving VERY early in the morning

I went out to have some pizza for dinner and already at 8 pm I went to bed in order to hike the next morning at 4 am to Machu Picchu. I used my mobile phone as a flashlight, because it was still pitch dark outside. Via many steps I reached the entrance of the site at 6 am. Already at this time the site was quite full of tourists, because everybody wanted to be the first to enter the site.  If one comes later, everything is packed with tourists. Later, there are also package tourists and the hiking groups that have done the Inca Trail.

first disappointed, later overwhelmed

First, I felt disappointment when I entered this mega tourist attraction. Clouds blocked the view to the ruins.  I was a little bit afraid to have paid so much money and only see clouds. I also had only limited time, as I had already booked a train back to Cuzco. The later trains would all have been much more expensive.

But a little later it cleared up and the view became later perfectly sunny. I had a majestic view of the ruins with the huge green-covered mountains. I could take great photos.

Taking the expensive train

After 3 hours there I had to sprint back to the train, because it was already leaving at 10.30 am.  It was the first time in Latin America that I took a train. I had allowed myself to take it, even if it was very expensive (like 65 $) I wanted to save some time as it is much faster than going back only by bus.

In the train an Italian doctor couple sat opposite me, with whom I could even talk to with my Spanish skills. For Italians it is easy to understand Spanish, as both languages belong to the same language family.

But the train did not take me to Cuzco (that would have cost even more). I had to get off before and then return by minibus.