March 12, 2026
This is the third installment of our stories from Peru. If you missed the first two click here.
Even before we were married, we both wanted to visit Machu Picchu after seeing a documentary about it. In 2023 we had a chance to go and we set up the trip. Unfortunately, political unrest in Peru forced us to cancel. We were disappointed but vowed to try again. Then a major PeruRail strike last year put a question mark on our reservations again – oh no! But we didn’t cancel this time and waited it out. Thankfully the issues were resolved and train services were resumed. Whew!
A piece of advice we’d like to pass on to our readers – do any foreign travels you desire as soon as you can! We’ve had to cancel trips because of issues in the countries that we wanted to visit, and things are continuing that way. For example, we really wanted to see St. Petersburg on one of our cruise stops and we booked a trip to include it. Unfortunately the Ukraine/Russia war started just after we booked the trip and now that adventure will never happen for us.
Heads up, this is a long post with lots of photos. If you want to see the Inca citadel right away scroll on down, otherwise grab a beverage and enjoy this journey with us!
We started out from Cusco very early, and our guide Diego advised that this was going to be a long day. Getting to the site is an adventure in itself. Our journey involved a multi-modal commute that began with a two-hour van drive passing through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, then hopping on a train for another two hours to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu. Finally, a half-hour hairpin bus ride 1,000′ up to the entrance of an ancient Inca citadel site. After such a long trek we wondered if this experience would be worth it!
The scenery on our two hour van drive
Looking through our van’s windows, the landscape opened up as we passed through colorful small towns and farmlands. The countryside scenery was stunning! Diego commented that we were driving through the breathtaking landscape of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, which would be our next day’s activity. Stay tuned for that adventure!
An excellent two-hour train ride
Before we boarded the train we were welcomed with sparkling wine and a traditional Andean ritual called Pachamama. The purpose of this ritual is to give back to Mother Earth what she has given to us, to express deepest desires, what you want to achieve in your life and what you want for your loved ones. This ritual is not limited to spiritual leaders or priests; it is a practice that belongs to everyone in the Andean world. We were invited to join in the offering of coca leaves as we closed our eyes, quietly stating our wishes.
Next we were happy as we boarded the Belmond Hiram Bingham train, considered a luxurious model based on the Pullman cars of the 1920’s. It’s a fancy excursion to Machu Picchu named after the explorer who introduced the site to the outside world.
The journey was complimented by live music and an open bar where we enjoyed my new favorite drink – Pisco Sour. We met interesting people and were treated with Peruvian hospitality, good food and first class service:
Scenery along the train route
We loved the two-hour trip, it went by too fast. Along the way we admired the incredible scenery of the Andes as the train chugged alongside the Vilcanota River. The views were fantastic, as the train made its way between mountains, along the river and through villages. It was a preview for the main event, seeing Machu Picchu!
We were alerted to these capsules clinging to the mountainside, some 1,300′ above the river. It’s a “hotel” for the VERY adventurous. Getting there involves a 1.5 hour climb straight up the mountain rock face. After your stay, going back down is a zip line to the valley floor. The view from up there must be spectacular, but it’s not going to happen for us 🙂
Almost there…
We arrived at Aquas Caliente, the town at the base of Machu Picchu mountain. We then caught the bus that would take us to the entrance of the citadel. The 30-minute bus ride was a series of switchbacks that climbed about 1,300′ in elevation. The hairy ride up this narrow road with super-sharp turns offered increasingly spectacular views:
We’re finally here!
We first had to show our ticket and passport to enter the site. Tickets to the Inca Trail are issued via your name and passport number. Rangers verify this data at entry; if they don’t match, no go for you. We observed that tours into Machu Picchu are strictly managed and enforced to minimize the impact of the large influx of tourists.
An informational note: Machu Picchu stands at 7,972′ above sea-level, a large ancient city in a natural setting. Tickets must be purchased in advance to get in. There are 3 routes divided into 10 circuits through the ruins to choose from. All tickets to the specified route/circuit have a designated time slot for entrance. Also, the ticket is one way – once you’re in there’s no turning back. We emptied our bladders first, since there are no facilities within the ruins. Also, there are many steps and some unimproved walkways, and the tours cover a lot of ground. Not to scare you, but if you have a problem with walking several hours on many steps it should be considered.
As for setting ours up, arrangements were made through Silversea Cruises. It was part of the pre-extension tour of our expedition cruise to the Galapagos Islands (more on that later). We’re glad we had professionals set up this tour and guide for us, and we’d recommend the same for anyone going there.
The anticipation had been building since we boarded the train. We were finally on the trail, and as we entered the site we began a 20-minute climb up stone steps toward the high agricultural terraces. At the top of the stairs we took a break, caught our breath and took in the view.
Check out the short clip below to see Machu Picchu, that impressive Inca citadel all the way up in the Andes Mountains!
It was exhilarating to finally be here, a goal we’d been dreaming about for so long. WOW!
And here’s a photo taken in 1911 by Hiram Bingham III. His detailed article for National Geographic magazine inspired scientific and historical value, bringing attention to this amazing citadel to the world.
Fast forward to today, it’s all cleaned up for us to marvel at. According to our guide the site is 70-80% original, dating back to roughly 1420-1530AD. It’s 20-30% restored and reconstructed for safety and preservation, and it offers an excellent tourist experience:
Standing here overlooking the entire sacred city, we watched in awe and reverence. Looking down from our vantage point we could see many impressive engineering marvels:
Next we stepped down to follow a path descending into the heart of the citadel from the main entrance:
Classic Design Circuit
The ticket purchased for us was the “Classic Design Circuit 2A”, which captures the essence of Machu Picchu. This route took us through the original temples, plazas, and residential areas, and with Diego’s narratives connected us directly with Inca history and spirituality.
We thought we’d only get to snap pics from a distance, and not actually stroll through the site like this. We followed a designated path that winded through ancient structures, finely carved stone walls and narrow passageways. Much more than we expected!
Our pacing gave us ample time to comprehend the stories Diego was telling and me snapping pictures at full speed. He pointed out many important details and explained the fascinating history and engineering behind it all, as well as the complex astronomical and religious significance of the many temples. He provided insight into how the Inca engineers designed the city to blend with the landscape, achieving both practical and spiritual harmony. Diego is the man!
The architecture and engineering here is the most impressive part of the ruins, with the majority of the structures having been built by piling precisely cut stone blocks. Nothing but gravity and careful planning hold these stones together.
The Temple of the Sun (pictured below) is a famous landmark believed to have had both religious and astronomical significance for the Inca. The structure is also known as the Torreon, a rare example of a rounded building in Incan architecture. Its shape is a continuation of the curved stone it was built upon:
The image below shows what Diego described as an unfinished part of the citadel. It’s thought that there was much more construction planned that did not happen before the Inca’s sudden abandonment:
The Agricultural Zone of Machu Picchu is known for its remarkable terraces that slope down the Inca citadel. These terraces demonstrate Inca agricultural expertise. Over 500 years ago they grew corn, tubers, coca, and medicinal plants, providing food for the citadel and resources for sacred rituals:
It was interesting to learn how the site was chosen and to see examples of amazing Inca engineering. Among all Inca ruins, Machu Picchu is the most notable. However, the mystery of Machu Picchu puzzles scientists and archaeologists who are still trying to understand its exact purpose and why it was abandoned so quickly.
There were so many details that Diego shared, but for more information, click here.
The long trek to come here and to be able to walk through the citadel was well worth it. Machu Picchu lived up to the hype. It’s super special and absolutely fascinating! Tick this one off the bucket list!
Next up: The Sacred Valley of the Incas
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