Tuesday May 19th.
JUST TWO WORDS…….. Machu Pichu!
I am on top of the world, looking down on creation…. The words of the old song come to mind as I
stand on the edge of the ridge looking down on Machu Pichu, the magnificent
ancient city of the Inca and one of the seven wonders of the world. All around
the lush green mountain tops of the Andes Mountains encircle the ruins.
I can not believe I am here. This is a place I have heard
about and read about. It has been at the top of my bucket list for several
years. And finally I am here.
2 hours by van to Ollayantaytamba and another two hours by
train on Inca Rail and we arrive in the small village of Machu Pichu Pueblo,
also known as Aquas Caliente. This little tourist hub is the base for hikers
and tourists making this pilgrimage to Machu Pichu. The hikers have spent the
last four days on the Inca Trail. Others of us took the easy way by bus and
train. But we are all excited and in awe. 
Sections of the ruins date back to the 12th century, pre-Incan times, but the Incans are credited with the development and construction of the complex and advanced settlement in the 16th and 17th century. It was abandoned in the 17th century when the Spaniards came. The Spaniards never found Machu Pichu and it was abandoned to be found in 1911 by Hiram Bingham who was in search of lost civilizations. It was overgrown by vegetation and has now been carefully brought back to life. It is in incredible condition for its age because it sat vacant, without the wear and tear and damage that would normally have occurred through use.
Little is known about the actual history of the many buildings that make up the complex. Archeologists and other experts have pieced together the likely history from artifacts and materials unearthed in the preservation of the site.
There is a main lookout where visitors generally head first. Here you are treated to the classic Machu Pichu view, looking down from the terraced mountainside onto the site with the narrow, steep peak of Waynu Pichu Mountain directly behind.
Machu Pichu is actually not on top of the mountain, it is in
the jungle and rainforest. Typically a fog would hang over the site in the
morning while visitors wait for the fog to lift. We arrive mid-afternoon to a
spectacular bright sunny day. The weather gods are with us.
Temple of the Sun. The Sun was the most important of their Gods, as were the mountains.
The Temple of the Condor. The Inca have three sacred symbols: The Condor, The Puma, and the Snake.
There are rows of houses with pitched roofs where farmers
lived in the lower floor and stored their produce above.
Tuesday morning we rise early to catch the first bus up to Machu
PIchu to catch first light on the ruins. 25 buses line up, eager tourists wait
in line for the 20 minute winding ride up. We find our positions and wait for
the sun to slowly rise over the mountain tops, casting its warm glow over the
rocky walls of the ruins, and light up Waynu Pichu behind.
It is possible to hike up Waynu Pichu. It rises sharply, nearly vertical, for about 1000 feet. Only 400 visitors are allowed in a day. There is also a second overlook, The Sun Gate, opposite, which is a more gradual shorter trail. We debate our options. Most of the group decide to forego either but we decide to challenge ourselves to hike to the top of Waynu Pichu.
We set out at 10:00. The trail begins gradually, reassuring. But too soon it starts to climb. A narrow stairway of rocks, centuries old. The stairs rise relentlessly. Steep. The stairs are deep and uneven, some steps more than a foot high. They hug the side of the mountain, with steep drops off the other side. In the most treacherous or difficult spots cables attached to the rock walls provide a handhold.
For an hour we climb. The others in our group of 6 seem to scend with little difficulty. But I find this one difficult, the
muscles in my legs ache. My lungs are bursting as I finally reach the rest spot
near the top.
We forge on to the very top. We perch precariously on the jumble of huge granite rocks at the summit.
Shelda at the top of Waynu Pichu.
We forge on to the very top. We perch precariously on the jumble of huge granite rocks at the summit.
Bonnie , one of our group, at the top.
The view is amazing. Machu Pichu below is a patch of green.
Ribbons of road zigzag back and forth up the mountain. We look across the valley at the peaks of the
Andes and far below the river is a narrow line of silver.
It was a challenge, a personal goal, and we are stoked to
have made it, but now we must descend. Carefully, cautiously we pick our way
down the same stairway. By the time we reach the bottom an hour later my legs
are jello but I feel a sense of accomplishment. Exhausted, hot, sweaty, dirty
but fulfilled and victorious.
We board PeruRail for our four hour Train ride. The gentle rocking of the train lulling our aching bones and weary muscles as we make our way back to Cusco.
We board PeruRail for our four hour Train ride. The gentle rocking of the train lulling our aching bones and weary muscles as we make our way back to Cusco.
No comments:
Post a Comment