Machu Picchu

Today is the 4th day of of tour and we are up early (very early) to travel to Machu Picchu, the highlight of the Peru tour. After a 2 hour bus ride from Cusco we arrive at the Ollanta train station for the next leg of our trip to Machu Picchu on the Expedition Train.


The ride from Ollanta to the Machu Picchu train station takes about 90 minutes and includes a light breakfast.


For the next 90 minutes we sit back and enjoy the countryside.


We arrive at the Machu Picchu train station and the morning fog hangs over the valley ...


coating everything with dewdrops.


From the train station it is a short walk to the main street where we pick up some last minute supplies.


We board another bus for the finial leg of our trip  to Machu Picchu.


Our bus travels a narrow, dirt, switchback road up the side of a mountain. Several times on the trip up the mountain we have close encounters with buses coming down the road.


Finally we reach the entrance to Machu Picchu.  Looking back into the valley we see some of the fog starting to lift. 


Out of the lifting fog we start to see the first structures of Machu Picchu.


As the fog burns off, more of Machu Picchu. is revealed. (click on photos to enlarge the view)


Views of Machu Picchu.




















Panoramic view, click on photo to enlarge view.




Alpacas "mowing" the hillside grass. A wild chinchilla catching some sun.




In the background, a view of the switchback road used by our to reach the entrance. Our last look of Machu Picchu before we head back.


A few more close encounters on our bus ride back to town. Back in town, it's time for a meal as we wait for our return train.


Some street scenes from the town.






Mary boarding the train and we start our trip back to Cusco.