PERU 2025
Day 4
We are picked up at 9:45 for the bus ride to the village of Ollantaytambo where we would catch the train to the Machu Picchu village.
Ollantaytambo
We spend some time waiting in the rather chaotic waiting rooms, until it's our time to go.
When it's finally time, you follow the woman carrying your train car letter, and a parade to the train heads down the road with locals dressed up, music playing, singing and blowing conch shells. It really was quite a joyful experience. The train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu village) takes about an hour and a half.
It's a very scenic ride through the valley following the Urubamba river.
We only had photo worthy views on our side of the train, but Heather from Ontario passed on some of the riverside views she had.
Some of the brave hikers doing the 4 day trek
When we arrive in Aguas Calientes we don't really have any time to explore as there is a really long line for the buses up to Machu Picchu. so we just make our way towards where the buses leave from.
As some of our Exoticca group was coming on different trains, and we unloaded from different cars, our guide Hugo managed to corral us all and get us in the line for the Machu Picchu bus.
If you really want a certificate declaring that you actually went to Machu Picchu, you can scan this code on the back of your seat.
The road up is a gravel winding road with switchback after switchback, and it criss-crosses the trail that the brave hikers would take.
The Citadel / Machu Picchu
At an altitude of more than 2400 meters, the ancient Inca city of the Citadel was built around 1450, as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti, it was abandoned about a century later during the Spanish conquest. The conquistadors destroyed most Inca sites like Sacsayhuaman, Ollantaytambo, and Pisaq. However, Machu Picchu was never found thanks to its hidden location, making it one of the Incas’ best-preserved archaeological treasures.
Rediscovered for the modern world in 1911 by Hiram Bingham. He found 3 families living at the first building right after the entrances: Bingham’s first guide was a little boy 11 years old named “Pablito,” he used to play inside Machu Picchu and knew the Inca city by hand; all this was documented in the first pictures taken in black and white. Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, and one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. (Machu Picchu, Chichen Itza, Colosseum, Great Wall of China, Cristo Redentor, Taj Mahal, and Petra)
One of the first images of Machu Picchu that was taken in 1911. Photo: National
Geographic 
Photo of
Machu Picchu: Hiram Bingham
We have a timed entrance ticket which allows us approximately two and a half hours to explore this amazing place with our private Exoticca guide Hugo. Hugo called our Exoticca group "the Chasquis". The name for an Inca runner is chasqui (or chaski). These elite messengers ran in relays along the Inca road system, carrying messages, news, and lightweight goods across the Incan empire.
Right after our group is escorted through the entrance gate and we get our first sight of the mountains surrounding the Citadel, we are greeted by a huge clap of Thunder! A foreboding but impactful welcome. Our guide Hugo walked us all around the complex telling us interesting facts and stories about the structures and history of the area.
I have to admit, I was completely dumbfounded staring at this view that I have seen in so many TV shows and movies. For most of my life I have thought about this magical place, and to finally be here... speechless.
Huayna Picchu is the most famous peak and appears in classic postcard views of Machu Picchu. It is a steep and challenging hike with ancient stone staircases and some structures. We didn't do that climb.
The Temple of the Sun
A lot of time was spent examining and talking about the precise shape and fit of the stones that make up these buildings and walls. The Inca's design provided amazing protection and stability in an area renowned for it's earthquakes over the centuries.
We all got pretty excited when Lynda from Nakusp spotted this Llama across the way, well, we were excited until Hugo told us it was just an old tree stump. But we didn't have to wait long to start seeing more Llamas. Llamas roam freely at Machu Picchu as part of a conservation and cultural project to recreate the Inca atmosphere, where they once served as pack animals and a source of fertilizer. They also help maintain the site by grazing and keeping the grass trimmed.
From here you can see the switchbacks for the bus route up, as well as the cut path and stairs for the 43 kilometer /27 mile Inca Trail which is a 4 day/ 3 night trek in Peru that leads to Machu Picchu, passing through various ecosystems and ancient ruins.
The Temple of the Condor is a ceremonial structure that uses natural rock formations to create the image of a giant condor. The temple is carved from bedrock, with one large rock forming the wings and another at the base representing the head, and was used by the Inca for spiritual rituals
At this stage of exploring, we are heading back towards the exit, and I can't help myself from taking pictures of the same things I saw coming in. This place is just so special.
Geoff from Muskoka points out what we all thought was a rabbit sitting on the rocks. It wasn't until we were on the train back that I discovered it was a Viscacha, part of the chinchilla family..
Our last chance for a photo opp, and Hugo takes a group shot of our Exoticca group... at least the ones that weren't still back on the trail taking one last picture.
We have a bit of free time in Aguas Calientes after the bus takes us back down that windy road, some time to wander the village, do some shopping and get some Empenadas for the train ride back to Ollantaytamabo.
That's right, empanadas, we didn't eat the guinea pig here either. I have been seeing these yellow drinks everywhere, in the stores, on menus, and giant ads. I figured I better try what is the true Cola of the Incas. Imagine Tahiti Treat or Cream Soda, but with a hint of banana yellow.
On the train ride back to Ollantaytambo we are treated to an indigenous musical dance number, something to do with love I'm pretty sure. We start laughing as one of the guys across from us on the train is singing along, apparently this love song is well known.
Once the train arrived back in Ollantaytambo, we didn't have time to explore, it was right back on to the bus to the hotel. We were back at Agusto's around 10:00pm, it was a really long day, but what an unforgettable and great experience.
The next morning we would be back on a bus for a full day tour of the Sacred Valley.