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There are two ways to
go to Machu Picchu. You can take the 3-1/2 hour train ride, or the four
day walk. Actually, even the walk involves taking the train about 3/4 of
the way. There is another cheaper option that involves taking a bus half
way and then taking the train for the remainder. This costs much less and
is really popular with budget travelers, but involves spending a night
in Aguas Calientes. We opted for the train ride because its more practical
and the scenery is pretty amazing. The train "switchbacks" over the mountains
by Cusco by stopping and reversing directions. The route along the Urubamba
river passes numerous ruins along the way like the one below left.
To get from the train to the bus you have to pass through this narrow corridor
of vendors in Aguas Calientes. Although they are currently working on a
road from Ollantaytambo, there is really nowhere for anyone to park once
they get there. The buses were brought in by rail.
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From the town of Aguas
Calientes it is a half hour bus ride up to the site. While there are certainly
ruins of much larger scale in Peru, nothing compares to the setting
at Machu Picchu. The valley floor at a Aguas Calientes is barely 100 meters
wide and the mountains seem to go straight up.
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One theory believes
that Machu Picchu was a seasonal ritual site used by Inca elites.
Despite its size, the living areas suggest that it would support no more
than about 500 residents. It does support, however, a wide variety of vegetation--from
maize to passion fruit (below).
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Besides being a ritual
site, Machu Picchu is thought to have been an important astronomical site.
This altar is carved from one stone. The "needle" (arrow) pointed to various
corners on the solstices and equinoxes. Although Machu Picchu is regarded
as a World Heritage Site, someone issued an illegal permit for an American
ad agency to film a Peruvian beer commercial in 1999. A camera crane toppled
breaking the point off the 600 year old needle (inset upper right).
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