Trip to Peru- (28)- Huayna Picchu

When you see my photos of "Machu Picchu," what do you notice the most? The two mountains behind the Inca city? The taller one is Huayna Picchu!

While most people visit Machu Picchu and go home happy, some choose to continue their journey to Huayna Picchu. To those of you who made it, kudos! In my opinion, it was such a wonderful and adventurous experience.

To visit Huayna Picchu, you will need a separate ticket. We arrived at Machu Picchu the next day and entered Circuit 4 to reach the entrance of Huayna Picchu. From there, we hiked and climbed to the top, where we had breathtaking views of Machu Picchu and its surroundings.

The hike up to the top was challenging, especially near the summit where the steepest staircases are located. The path was narrow and required great concentration, but the stunning views at the top made it all worth it!

Going through the Circuit 4

On the hiking trail

View of Machu Picchu from Huayna Picchu

Finally on the summit!

Time to go back down

One last look !

Trip to Peru-(27) Machu Picchu

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983, Machu Picchu is the most visited tourist attraction in Peru and was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. When visiting, note that there are four different circuits that take you to four different levels of the site. Once you begin your journey, you must follow the instructions and move forward; you can't go backward just because you missed a spot. Circuit 1 is the highest level of the site, and the latitude decreases as the circuit number goes up.

On the day we visited, it rained in the morning. After arriving at the site, the rain stopped, but it took a while for the clouds to clear up. Everyone patiently waited, and at last, we were finally able to see the clear face of Machu Picchu!

Trip to Peru-(26)- Aguas Calientes

After a three-and-a-half-hour train ride, we finally arrived in Aguas Calientes. This town serves as a gateway to Machu Picchu and is almost entirely devoted to meeting the needs of tourists from around the globe. Aguas Calientes offers a variety of hotels, restaurants, shops, and transportation options to Machu Picchu, and you can easily walk the entire town on foot. To reach Machu Picchu, you have two options: 1) hike (2-3 hours) or 2) take a shuttle bus (30 minutes). Most people opt for the bus. Here are some photos showcasing the town.

Trip to Peru- (25) PeruRail to Aguas Caliantes

 Continue our journey to Machu Picchu, we took a train ride from Cusco to Aguas calientes.  

The scenic train ride from Cusco to Aguas Calientes is a breathtaking journey that took us through the beautiful Peruvian Andes. The train ride starts from the Cusco train station, which is located in the heart of the city. As the train leaves the station, you'll begin to see the stunning landscape of the Andes Mountains.

The train passes through lush green valleys, rugged mountains, and along the Urubamba River, offering breathtaking views at every turn. We saw towering peaks, deep canyons, and the occasional small village tucked into the mountainside.

The train itself is also quite luxurious, with comfortable seats, large windows, and excellent amenities.