Travels and adventures we have enjoyed over the years. (Posts with down arrows after mean they have sub-posts that relate to them). Just select the one you want and schroll to the bottom of the list.
Manchu Picchu
From Cusco we took a ride to a small resort where we spent the night before being taking an early train that would take us to Agua Caliente at the base of Manchu Picchu. The train had a viewing deck so we enjoyed that. We arrived in Agua Caliente early, had a coffee, and hopped a thrilling bus ride to Manchu Picchu. There we met a guide and spent the day touring the mountain. That night we spent in an interesting hotel in Agua Caliente. The next morning we went back up to Manchu Picchu and explored for much of the day. We came back down and caught a train back to Cusco.
You can hike into Manchu Picchu from where the train starts but it is a four day hike, you need porters and you cross 12,000 and 13,000 foot mountains. We opted not to do that. We didn’t know it until the train stopped where you get off but there is a one day hike you take from that train stop. It takes nearly a full day but you don’t need porters and lots of camping gear. Both trails end at a point above and looking down at Manchu Picchu called The Sun Gate. It is on the east side so that’s where the sun appears each day. We also had a pass to climb a steep mountain in the middle of Manchu Picchu but it was raining the day were had the permit for and we didn’t want to risk slipping and getting injured. I know that sounds whoosy but we had a lot of stuff planned and doing it on crutches was not an option.
Catching the train (Notice Upper Windows for viewing)Inside the carsThe happy coupleA mountain stream that runs along side the tracksCorn fieldsFarmsMountains in the cloudsA Horse on a terrace? … No two donkeys on a terrace!The mountainsEntering Agua CalienteThe exciting bus ride up to Manchu Picchu from Agua CalienteEntering the ParkMeeting another busy (exciting)Nancy and our Guide (She wore white gloves … said it was to keep the sun off of her hands)Entering Manchu PicchuThis was a lady who could not walk. She hired these four guys who carried her on a litter everywhereThere it isWe were supposed to climb the mountain in the background but got rained outTalking about the buildings … in case you are wondering about the hats. The sun is very intense at this high altitude and we were near the equatorA rebuilt storage barnThe place is huge and incredible … very well restoredThe Lamas keep the grass mowdOver the edgeAquaductsA Small windowLots of stepsRoof SlateQuite the buildersGrounds CrewThere was an amazing amount of highly skilled stone fitting with both small and very large blocks … The folks probably built the pyramidsIt is difficult to grasp just how large this city wasOur Guide … Very nice young lady .. very smartThis is the mountain we did not climb due to rainThis is a close up of the previous pictureThat guy thought the lama was his wife .. boy, did he catch heck when she saw him flirt’en with a Lama!!The river way belowThe white stripes is the road up that the buses useWe walked up to the Sun Gate (That’s what INTIPUNKU means)Me Too!!The roadManchu Picchu from the Sun GateThe other half of Manchu Picchu from the sun gateThis guy tried to sell us insurance!!The Sun Gate from part way downHydratingA big restaraunt in Agua Caliente had different flags at each table. We sat by our favorite.Houses by the tracksOur “Cabin”One last lookThe path to the back doorThis was along the back path. The wooden beams spanned the gap in the path. It is that square in the stone face in the picture belowThe stream that runs past the hotel and through townThe bridge from our hotelAn Interesting StatueLeaving Agua CalienteWe were served dinner on the train back. Here’s our setting. They also had a fashion show while we ate. Very nice.
That was Mancu Picchu. Pictures just don’t do it justice. It is one of the most impressive works of man that I have seen anywhere. The story of it’s discovery by an English Explorer in the late 1800’s and the work to restore it is an amazing story. Check it out.
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Author: Bill
Bill Rumpel served America as an Air Traffic Controller, a Commander of forces, and as an advisor to our country's senior leadership in peacetime and combat in the US Air Force for nearly, forty years of his adult life. Raised on a Wisconsin dairy farm and living most of his early years working hard or enjoying the outdoors, he has devoted his retirement years to telling stories based on true events with an intriguing mix of fiction and adventure. His books are published in 14 countries and in 9 different languages.
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