Day 25: Machu Picchu

Here I am about to explore Machu Picchu. I'm wearing a Small World Coffee T-shirt - hopefully I will make the wall of fame in the shop. I'm also sporting a Hydro baseball cap. [[Special shout out to my Mom for buying me this shirt and to my sister for letting me borrow her hat! The hat was the perfect touch to make me look like a prototypical tourist.]]

After eating breakfast at our hotel, Gringo Bill's we all took a 20 minute bus ride to Machu Picchu. The place was milling with tourists; we fit right in.

Here is a view of one side of Machu Picchu. Amazing.

Here I am surrounded by rock inside of the astonishing architecture of the Incans.

After a 45 minute guided tour of Machu Picchu with our tour guide, Roger, we were able to explore the land a bit on our own. Myself, along with others in our group decided to climb the mountain, Wayna Picchu.

Another intense hike...yay!

Here I am about to enter Wayna Picchu

Wayna Picchu differed from my previous hike up Putucusi.

First, there was a hut that you had to sign in and out of in order to climb the mountain. I assume this is for a few reasons - one of them being that they want to make sure that everyone that goes up, comes down...safely. ;-)

Second, this mountain was a lot safer and easier to climb. While climbing there were more secure places to put your feet as well as more ropes and wires lining the mountain walls to assist hikers.

It was still an intense hike, nonetheless, but it was definitely easier than the previous day's hike.

Here I am hiking up Wayna Picchu.

Here I am taking a brief break to look out into the distance. I can see Machu Picchu from a higher view.

A little further up, I stopped to look down.

Good idea or bad idea?

If you're afraid of heights, I suppose it would have been a bad idea.

Here I am at the top of the mountain.

All-in-all the hike took rougly 50 minutes to reach the peak of the mountain. There was a group of 5 of us that took around the same time. However, there were more from RU that made it to the top shortly after us.

Here is a picture of all of the speedy hikers at the top of Mt. Wayna Picchu

For this mountain, there was a designated route for hikers to return. This furthers my claim that this mountain was easier to hike. Mount Putucusi did not have a designated path for returning hikers.

Here I am after my hike up and down Mt. Wayna Picchu.

Too bad pictures can't display how achy my muscles are.

After our intense and beautiful hike we all relaxed a little around the beautiful confines of Machu Picchu.

It was truly wonderful.

Here I am about to leave Machu Picchu's grounds. I am wearing my Hoagie Haven shirt here - hopefully I will make the wall of fame at this Princeton hot-spot as well =)

After our long day at the grounds of one of the 7 Wonders of the World, I was ravenous.

But don't worry, we went to a buffet at Toto's house.

After lunch, we had free time. During my free time Cristina, Nichole and I decided to hang in a cafe and work on some of our homework.

Great students, aren't we?

Our train departed at 7 pm. We traveled on Inka Rail. The train ride was about an hour and a half and was pretty uneventful.

From the train, we took a two hour bus ride, and finally, arrived back in Cusco.

I showered, and went right to sleep.

Truly exhausted.

1 out of 7 World Wonders...CHECK!

I even have a stamp in my passport as proof ;- )

Hasta luego mis amores!