La historia de Machu Picchu - Pt II

So previously I wrote in Spanish some of the reasons why Machu Picchu may have been built:

-A refuge for the Virgins of the Sun
-A religious site
-It was built for Emperor Pachacuti
Other theories I didn't mention were:
-A place to prepare for war/military
-Ceremonial site
-Royal estate

I could go on and on if able to but really, I can't really add my own opinion on Machu Picchu because I don't think there will ever be a conclusion to finding the real reason Machu Picchu was built. I believe it'll just remain a mystery forever. The Incas didn't leave any paper trails or clues as to why they built it so anyone could just look at the evidence aka artifacts and such found on site and looking at the site itself and come up with their own theories. Who knows, maybe someone's theory is accurate but no one agrees. Or maybe all the theories are wrong or way off?

Too many theories to look at that I just think they may throw people off and change their perception when they themselves check out this spectacular world wonder. My friend and I chose not to do any tours because 1)we were last minute in our plans and 2)we really wanted to experience Machu Picchu ourselves and not have to listen to a tour guide talk the whole time. We for sure wouldn't have seen or done as much if we had gone the tour route, which I prefer not to do.

Anyway, we walked by many tour groups as we were wandering around this true beauty and overheard many things from each tour guide. Both helpful and unhelpful points were given. Helpful if we were unsure about something/curious about a certain area, in which we could overhear a guide explaining it to his/her group and would make sense to us and help us understand its purpose. Unhelpful when you overhear every tour guide telling their group all the opinions/theories there are out there and then continuing with what they think is the accurate theory that explains why Machu Picchu was built. I heard every opinion from every tour guide and they were all different. No one was the same. How could you even come close to understanding Machu Picchu when you hear a completely different story from the people you may come across on your day there?

I decided to not think about any of the theories we heard until after we left Machu Picchu. And Nora completely agreed with me. Just thinking of all these theories would have made me try to 'uncover what really happened in Machu Picchu/why it was built' instead of appreciating what my eyes were seeing, taking the time to understand the Incas hard work, and precision/brains when it came to building on this land.

I wouldn't change a thing of how I made my way to Machu Picchu. I already have it in my head to return for another two day adventure there!:) I may not agree with using a tour guide BUT I really want to hike the trail next time, so I will have to suck it up and go on one because that's the only way you'll be able to trek to this land of the Incas. Then I'd probably go back again --bus this time!-- and really take my time there. Can't explain it but just by being there, it makes you think about life more and how to really appreciate it and to slow down.

Here are some pictures from my special day in Machu Picchu:


Just in time to watch the incredible sunrise.

What an amazing way to start a day.

Taking a moment to experience the site in different areas.

Just.had.to.:)

Found the path that led us up Machu Picchu mountain.

Urubamba

Almost to the top

DON'T LET GO!

I did it! Set my goal and I accomplished it!

Taken in the afternoon

Side view of the terraces

Templo del sol/Temple of the sun

La sala de las tres ventanas/The room with the three windows.

Intihuatana/Sundial

Llamas---beautiful animals

No words.

Llama face!

An 'unknown' room.

Side view

Taken right before sunset as we had to leave Machu Picchu...

This is one world wonder that should be put on your bucket list, top 10 things to do in life, and normal everyday goals. Machu Picchu is worth it.

The Road and Train Tracks to Machu Picchu

So my original travel plan was to head to Bolivia with some time set aside to go back to Chile to check out its Northern side. I also wanted to go to Peru but I feared not having enough time to really take in the culture and see everything that I wanted to see in the time period that I had. My friend who wanted to head to Peru with me was unable to come along so I figured I would hold off until next time. So there was my plan as I had mentioned in my WMDR post: Bolivia and Chile.

...........Long story short............

Plans changed! I wanted to stay longer down in Uyuni but the weather was beyond freezing that it wasn't recommended due to some deaths having occurred out there because of the temperature. They also closed the Bolivian-Chilean border because of the weather conditions so there was no way of heading back to Chile at that time. So I decided to push Uyuni back until after I figured out what my new plan would be.

What to do now?

After talking with some friends I had made in Bolivia about Peru and if I should do it or continue on in Bolivia, they pretty much convinced me with just one statement: "Go to Machu Picchu. You are here now. When's the next chance you'll get to go to Peru? What if you never get the chance? It's worth it."

That was it for me.

I immediately emailed my friend Nora, who I met on a layover in Lima, who had told me she was going to be in Cusco for six weeks, told her not go to Machu Picchu without me because I was heading there! She was excited to hear she wasn't going on her own or having to find a travel bud to go with and right away she let me know where she was and lets go!

I booked the bus tickets, next morning I left La Paz for Cusco with some time in Copacabana/Lake Titicaca and Puno. Arrived at midnight and went on a search for her. Luck on my side, I ended up getting a bed in the room she was in and she was happy to see me, sticking to my word! Always.

Right away we got busy. Had to figure out how to get there and get our tickets. They only allow 2500 visitors a day to enter Machu Picchu. We had wanted to go right away but we soon realized that we wouldn't be able to go for almost a week. So I had extra time than I had anticipated and really got to check out Cusco. So much history there, it's unbelievable. Anyway, we quickly jumped on our tickets to Machu Picchu before we figured out how we were going to get there! :-p Luckily found two spots left on the train from Ollantaytambo--Aguas Calientes--Ollantaytambo. We jumped on those tickets right away! So so so lucky. This whole trip was luck!

Then we just had to figure out our way from Cusco--Ollantaytambo and Ollantaytambo--Cusco. We found a 'mini-bus' that makes the trip from Cusco--Ollantaytambo--Cusco at the bus station. Paid I believe $10,00-15,00 Soles ($3-5 US) and sat back for one crazy ride to Ollantaytambo. Cute little town with amazing Inca sites to see. Wandered around to find a good place to stay for the night.

Next day tried to see as much of Ollantaytambo that we could and somehow found the way up to really take in the Incan sacred sites, Pinkuylluna.






Headed to the train station and road for about an hour to Aguas Calientes. Before we left, we made friends with a taxi driver who took our names down and promised to take us back to Cusco as soon as we got back to Ollantaytambo so I could catch my bus back to La Paz---very tight! They said it was most likely going to be impossible that I would make it on time---boy were they wrong! Made it with 10 minutes to spare! Woo hoo!


Don't forget to try Inca Kola in Peru! Does wonders with Peruvian ceviche. :) Grabbed it for the train ride.

Aguas Calientes. Very small town full of people everywhere. Everything was booked and everyone was busy. We searched and searched and finally found a place to stay..AGAIN..it was all luck. First thing we did was, well we wanted to find somewhere to eat but gotta take care of business! Had to find the bus station to pay for a bus ticket to go from Aguas Calientes--Machu Picchu--Aguas Calientes. Made it there 1/2 an hour before it closed! Relaxed a little and found a place to eat some good food for an early dinner, knowing that we'd have to get up at 4 in the morning, and listen to beautiful Peruvian music. I could listen to it for hours...:)




Called it a night. Literally got everything ready so that when we woke up at 4 am, we could just get ready and leave! We lined up around 4:45 am waiting for the buses. Brrrr it was cold! Had some mate de coca (tea) to warm up and just waited patiently. Next time, I'll probably head there earlier because the line sure does get long!

And there we were...off to Machu Picchu!



And there you have it folks! If the timing is right and you have luck on your side, you can make it to Machu Picchu in a safe and crazy way! And spend not nearly as much as you would if you booked a tour/train/etc. Of course this was without hiking the trails but that can be arranged my next visit there!

I'd also like to answer my thought at the beginning of this entry with this: Peru is just incredible. And it is worth it to go now, for a day, for a week, month, or as long as you'd like. I'm glad I had some time to go there. I made the right decision. I've had a taste and I want more!!

*Tip: If you want to hike Huayna Picchu, make sure you look for that option when you book your Machu Picchu ticket. It costs $10US dollars more but its worth it. You can hike it at 7am or 10am. We missed out on that opportunity but we did end up hiking Machu Picchu mountain, which was free and with breathtaking views! Next time, I plan on hiking Huayna Picchu and then spend another day there really just taking it all in and relaxing. Such a fascinating site to see. Can you tell I'm in love with history?!
**Tip: Being in shape is a must! The altitude was fine for me because it's NOTHING compared to being in La Paz, Bolivia, but for those who aren't used to it + hiking up a mountain + the thousands of steps and things to do there = you will be tired! Adjust to the high altitude for a few days (or just go to La Paz ;), be in shape, and take it easy!
***There's a straight forward website where you can easily get Machu Picchu tickets/print them out. Email me and I'll send it to you!