Up at 0530 to head across the mountain to the Machu Picchu entrance gate. The hour and a half hike is in complete darkness with only headlamps lighting our way. After about 20 minutes waiting at the gate the sun starts to come up but it's very cloudy.
Once through the gate it's another 45 minutes along the mountain to the Sun Gate.
We arrive at the Sun Gate and everybody lines up to see....
nothing, just clouds. Machu Picchu is right out there somewhere.
Continuing along the trail for a half hour or so we arrive at the entrance to Machu Picchu complete with grazing llamas.
This is the standard postcard spot where you can stand with Machu Picchu in the background. Still very cloudy although you can start to make out the ruins.
A little closer and there they are. Neither words nor pictures can express how amazing this is.
In Machu Picchu, the observatory.
Amazing stonework everywhere.
Wayna Picchu. We tried to get tickets to climb to the top but they were sold out for the day.
Our guide Martin took us through the ruins for a couple of hours then set us loose on our own. Around lunchtime the clouds had lifted and I hiked back up to the postcard outlook to get the standard picture.
The road down to Aguas Calientes.
I get the stamp in my passport and wait in line for the bus to Aguas Calientes and civilization.
Downtown Aguas Calientes.
I settle in to a restaurant for lunch just as it starts to rain for the first time on the trip. Good timing.
The Machu Picchu deluxe pizza. Not sure what is in there but it was delicious. Comes with ketchup, salsa, and ranch.
Still raining.
Getting ready to board the backpacker train to Cusco,
