Day Eight - Machu Picchu
// August 4th - Machu Picchu // Altitude 2430 m // Out of the travel journal //
I'm beyond exhausted. As planned, we woke up at 3.30 am and started walking to the gate where they checked the passports shortly after 4 am. Now, in the dark, early (way too early after the last night!) morning, we began the ascent. Over 3000 steps separated us, still at an altitude of 2040 m, from the top of the mountain with 2430 m to reach Machu Picchu, high up in the clouds. Of course after so much walking nobody wanted to give up on the last day and take the bus.
They opened the gates at 5 am. At 5.20 I was already exhausted.
It was steep, we barely slept throughout the past four nights, we hiked 80 km before, I was so done.
But thanks to my friend who kept pushing me, we made it to the top eventually a bit after 6 am.
We had to wait in line for the passport and ticket control. Luckily I recover fast, but still all the steps at the actual site were no fun either. It was amazing though.
Everything was still covered in clouds, we could barely see any mountains around us. But when the first rays of sunlight finally broke through the clouds, warming, creating a mystical light and contrast on this ancient site - it was worth every single step.
I took a selfie with a llama (can cross that off the bucket list!), even though I was too afraid to get too close, like other people did. But every time I got closer and the llama only slightly shifted it's head - I stepped back. I don't know if you ever had the experience of a llama spitting at you, but if you didn't - let me tell you it's not a pleasant one. It's disgusting, and I don't want to go trough that again.
We had a guided tour, which was supposed to be two hours, throughout the site, afterwards it was actually time for our ticket to Machu Picchu mountain. Three hours to see Machu Picchu from the top. Steep. More hiking. Three. Hours... Do I really have to mention nobody was down for that? Instead we slept a while in the sun, and just enjoyed being at this ancient, breathtaking place.
Since it's one of the Wonders of the World we even got our passports stamped.
Back down we took the bus. Hey, after all this, taking the bus down is totally reasonable. We worked enough for everything else.
The way back to Cusco - well. So, I'm in the PeruRail. They started with service, offering coffee, juice and a sandwich. After that I just wanted to sleep. Instead this is what happened.
I was already somewhere between dream and reality, when suddenly a pigeon-like "rrrruuuu" disturbed the silence. A person with an animal-shaped demon mask and a rainbow suit with a giant spider sewed on the back started dancing through the train. Usually I would've paid attention, really, but after all these days I'm just beyond exhausted. So I looked at my phone, trying to figure out how long I could sleep before getting to Cusco. Seeing me this unimpressed, the monster stopped next to me, pulled me out of the chair while "rrrruuuu"ing in my ear, and danced with me through the train compartment, swirling me around in the small aisle.
An experience that definitely woke me up for a few minutes again.
But then - "please pay attention and turn around for our exclusive PeruRail fashion line! Finest alpaca wool!" Seriously!? They had a freaking fashion show in the train. Craziest ride I ever had.
Overall - this trip has been one of the most amazing things I ever did in my life, and I'm happy I had the courage to start my trip with this trail. It's been a once in a lifetime-experience and these memories will definitely last forever!
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