Exploring the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu

The Incas reign over South America for about 200 years and they´ve leave us many testimonials of their civilization, that's the case of the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu discovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham. According to many historians, Machu Picchu was a retreat house of the Inca Pachacútec around the XVI century. Nowadays this incredible sanctuary is one of the New 7 Wonders of the world and is one of the most popular tourist landmark in the world. Despite of all the people, especially in the high season (january - july), this can be a very rewarding experience.

There are two ways to visit Machu Picchu: You can either book a tour guide and walk the Inca Trail which takes about 4 days from Cusco to Machu Picchu entering the city in the Puerta del Sol, or just take a day tour from Cusco. That's what I did (The Inca Trail is a pending adventure for me). I booked a day tour to Machu Picchu at the hotel I was staying. The tour guide picked me up around 4:30 in the morning in order to get to Ollantaytambo where we got into a train for a few hours to Aguas Calientes. The train (as you can see in the shot below) has windows at the ceiling so snow capped mountains can be seen from it.

As you arrived to Aguas Calientes a group of locals welcomes you with traditional dances at the town´s central plaza where there's algo a monument of the Inca. It was very nice. Many cafes and restaurants here have wifi, so you can be connected. I recommend a restaurant names Coricancha where I breakfasted just before leaving to the citadel. Many tourist spent a night in here so they can go pretty early in the morning to the citadel. Aguas Calientes has a very decent hotel offer.

From Aguas Calientes we got into a bus for about 30 minutes to the citadel where another tour guide was expecting the groups and start the interpretation. As you can see there's a lot of procedure in order to get there. 

As I went in june (high season) the citadel was crowded but was compensated by an amazing sunny blue sky which contrast with the green mountains that surrounds the citadel. The citadel is surrounded by two mountains: Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu which is the mountain that is shown in most of the pictures of this archaeological site, while Machu Picchu is the mountain that stand at the back, from where the following shot was taken. Huayna Picchu can be visit but you should book it in advance as it is only allowed for 200 people per day and it a hard and challenging climb to the top. In order to visit Huayna Picchu you have to sign a release form as the stairs can be a little bit dangerous.

It was a nice landscape and nice shots can be taken. Around the citadel there are many interesting constructions such as the inca house located at the beginning the trail, the Temple of the three windows, the solar clock, among others. One of the most impressive landmarks in Machu Picchu was the ruins of Temple of the Condor. Just imagine how this temple should have been. Also is very interesting to see the cultivating areas. Also is pretty cool to see many llamas and vicuñas wandering around the citadel.

The guided tour in Machu Picchu takes approximately 2 hours. But you your entrance allows you to get back in there one more time and go by yourself. If you have plenty of time o if you will be spending a night in Machu Picchu or Aguas Calientes, you can go to the Puerta del Sol. If you don't, do as I did, I went straight to the balcony where you can see all the citadel and mount Huayna Picchu to take the classic photo (the shot above).

At the end of the visit you can get the stamp of Machu Picchu in your passport which is pretty cool to have. After the visit I recommend to take the bus back to Aguas Calientes as fast as you can because of all the people there. Back in Aguas Calientes I lunched and got in the train to Poroy Station in Cusco. I was an amazing day in Machu Picchu and if you are ever in Cusco you must not miss this experience.

Machu Picchu done, six more 7 Wonders to go.