BackpackingBaloogas: Machu Picchu & Cusco, Peru

MACHU PICCHU

We took a 22 hour bus from Lima to Cusco on Cruz del Sur, the nicest of buses with wifi, personal tvs and a stewardess. The one and only time we will take this nice of a bus. After we arrived in Cusco we booked our trip to Machu Picchu the next day ($230 pp). We had a scenic train ride through a beautiful valley of lush mouantins to Aguas Calientes, the jumping off point to MP. We then spent the entire next day at MP, bussing up at 7am and not coming down until 5pm. MP started off with a 2 hour english speaking tour around the ruins. We then hiked up to Machu Picchu Mountain, HOLY STEPS! The ruins get their name from this imposing mountain. After lounging in the shade and eating lunch we started our 1.5 hour hike down to the town. What a magaical day! We made it back to Cusco that night via the train.

Train ride to Machu Picchu

Morning clouds

Early shot of Machu Picchu

"Rubble in the jungle, its alright by me"

The garden


Top of Machu Picchu Mountain

CUSCO

We decided to spend 2 more days in Cusco after we arrived back from MP. Cusco was the historical capitol of the Inca Empire founded in 1100. It has numerous ornate churches and lively plazas. Sitting at 11,000 ft, the temperatures were quite cold so we were layered up at all times. We spent most of the time lounging, site seeing and walking around the San Pedro market. At our hostel, EcoPackers, we happen to run in to a few people we had met along our travels so it was a nice reunion.