We left Machu Picchu today at 5pm so we wanted to take full advantage of the day. Jacqui, Shirley and I decided to do the 7am walk up Waynu Picchu (The peak overlooking the Machu Picchu ruins) as you are able to get a magnificent view over the ruins and the surrounding mountains from the top of the mountain. The walk up was fortunately done in quite cool weather but notwithstanding this, the humidity and 1500 steps to the top ensures that you are drenched in perspiration by the time you get to the top, especially if you are a sweaty Portuguese!
View of the ruins from the top of Waynu Picchu…
These little guys flying all over the place at the top..
Jax and Shirls.
After hanging around at the top for awhile, Jax and I decided to walk over the top of the mountain and down to the Temple of the Moon on the opposite side of Waynu Picchu. This was a great decision to start with because it was essentially just the two of us walking alone and the Temple of the moon was definitely worth seeing even though it is one of the less popular sites at MP because it is challenging to get to. We had originally thought that once at the bottom, there would simply be an elevation path that came back around the mountain, however, that is not the case! To get back, you have to climb back up about two thirds of the way up Waynu Picchu before joining the original path we took to get up meaning that we essentially climbed the mountain twice in 3 hours. The thighs and quads are certainly paying the price tonight!
Temple of the moon…
The trip back to Cuzco aboard the Hiram Bingham Train was another memorable evening. We sat in the bar carriage before dinner and the 3 man Mariachi Band were giving it horns so it turned into a real wild party. Never to be forgotten!!!
On route back from Temple of the Moon.
We got back to the Monasterio Hotel at about 10pm and after a quite drink we all headed to bed. We are spending the next 2 nights here before heading off on the 6th to Nazca to see the famous lines.
