We took Inca Rail train from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu at 6:40 am with return at 7 pm, all on time and very good. We bought bus tickets in AC and bought sandwiches for lunch waiting in line. Another queue to bathroom and to get in to MP. We went directly for our MP Montana trek, got to the trail head/entrance ~9:30. Many more people than we expected. The hike was steep (mostly stairs, Incas really loved them, my knees don’t), but beautiful in cloud forest, wonderful views of MP opened several times. Took us almost 2h up and 1.5 down, we had sandwiches/lunch at the top and spent more than half an hour there. Great views all around and good perspective before inspecting the citadel up close.
Machu Picchu Mountain
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In the afternoon we walked all over the main ruins, without guide but with guide book. After 3 pm crowds thinned and it was great. We sat in many places to rest and absorb, we saw several viscachas and llamas, weather was great. Very long and tiring day but magical. With all the hype, we were not disappointed by MP, it was magnificent.
