An early start this morning to catch the 7am train from Ollanta to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Machu Picchu, Peru, about 90 minutes away. On arrival at Machu Picchu, we are lucky enough to have Darwin, a 30 year veteran guide, to explain the finer points of the citadel. He has published many books on Machu Picchu and has some sought after photos of the sun striking the sun temple on 21 December. Below is the obligatory postcard shot of this over-photographed tourist attraction. As famous as Machu Picchu is, I still preferred the less touristy ruins of Ollaytaytambo, with the sweeping paths cut into the side of the mountains.
Far more interesting was watching later in the afternoon the llama in the photograph (above) nimbly descending one of the stone staircases of at least 15 steps, to reach another level of the terraces it was grazing on. A younger llama followed it, and showing that this is an acquired skill for llamas, half walked, half fell down the steps. My favourite image is of a llama looking away from the Incan citadel, down into the valley.
The upside of Machu Picchu is the opportunity to stay at the wonderful Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo hotel, in the quirky valley town of Aguas Calientes (literally ‘hot springs’ in Spanish). Aguas Calientes is well worth a wander around for the Peruvian take on the Wild West habit of restaurants, bars and cafes clustering along the railway line.
