Yes, there is something special, definitely mythical, about Machu Picchu, the abandoned Inca city that remained hidden from the Conquistadores. We had the privilege to gaze over Machu Picchu right before sunrise in total quietness, with Wayna Picchu, the cone-shaped mountain, standing like a guard in the background. That was a unique, emotional moment. Unfortunately a rather short one, though…
Around 6:30 am the place gets crowded, even large tour groups arrive that early, and soon most of the magic is gone! If you want that exclusive moment of tranquility, be sure to be at the gate before 6:00 am. So when it opens, you can quickly jog up to the famous lookout.
Another unforgettable experience is the view from the top of Wayna Picchu, especially since from high above you can see the whole of Machu Picchu. It is only then when you realize that a large part of Machu Picchu consists of terraces used for agriculture and only a smaller part constitutes the temples, the residential and commercial area with its storages. From atop you can also see the last bit of the world famous Inca Trail with the Sun Gate.
Love the blog and pics. I visited Machu Picchu many years ago and had a wonderful time. It was an experience I will never forget. Thanks for bringing back great memories.
Beautiful photos, Grand Escapes! I’m especially fond of the one of the llama roaming the streets of Machu Picchu. They are the official “lawn mowers” of the park.
Machu Picchu after the tourist train leaves and before it arrives is a totally different experience than during the peak of the day. If there’s one travel spot you’ll want to spend a night or two so that you can enjoy some tranquility before it gets overwhelmed with people, then I’d say this is the one.