Yesterday was the day we finally got to go Machu Picchu! Our morning started off with breakfast at 6:30am as covers of Lionel Richie in Incan flute music played in the background. The group was excited and anxious as we boarded the tourist bus that drove us up the winding roads to the entrance gate. Machu Picchu is located on the edge of the jungle and the air was warm and humid as we walked through the lush green cloud covered mountains.

To start off the tour with a hike up Wayna Picchu, the mountain that rises over Machu Picchu. Only 400 visitors are allowed to hike the Incan trail to the top of Wayna Picchu every day, so our group was very excited that we had this opportunity. As we began the hike we read signs that said only fit and healthy people should hike this mountain. The climb was straight up for an hour and we took many breaks along the path to catch our breath.  We were all thankful we had been working for the last week to prepare ourselves for a hike at this high of an altitude. As we climbed higher we could see Machu Picchu and the Urubamba River through the clouds. Once we reached the top of the mountain we sat down on the rocks and soaked in the extraordinary view.

 After the hike we took a snack break and then started our your around the ruins of Machu Picchu. We found out during this time that it is the 100 year centennial of Hiram Bingham’s discovery of this lost Incan city.  Machu Picchu is special because it is one of the only cities of the Inca’s that was not found and destroyed by the Spanish during their conquests. It was fascinating to walk around the same paths of the city that the Inca’s did 100 years ago. The architecture of the city was designed to make the most effective systems for water, irrigation, agriculture, and astronomy. As we explored the city we came across  4 different Duck fans and of course greeted each other with a “go ducks!” We were also  happy to find herds of llamas roaming the ruins and Anna was so excited to snap a photo with her favorite animal.

After the amazing tour we headed back to Aguas Calientes each lunch and explore the town. Some of the group headed to the hot springs to relax, while others napped or explored the town and it’s very touristy vibes. At 9:30pm we boarded the Peru Rail back to Ollyantatambo and then hopped in our bus for an hour drive back to our hotel in Pisac. On the ride back our driver, who we named DJ Willie, played a mix of Peruvian music, reggeaton, and American 80’s. Our own Peruvian version of a party bus was the perfect way to bring in Tony’s 21^st birthday as it struck midnight! 

Maddie