En route to Macchu Pichu

Trip Start Feb 20, 2008

Trip End Aug 20, 2008

Loading Map

Map your own trip!

Map Options

Show trip route

Hide lines

Where I stayed

Los Apus Hotel & Mirador Cusco

Flag of Peru Cusco, Peru
Sunday, May 11, 2008

Many travelers visit Peru or even the entire South American continent solely for the purpose of setting foot on Macchu Pichu, the famed showpiece of the Incan empire, one of the New 7 Wonders of the world.

Finally, after more than 2 months of travel through Peru's other neighbours, we arrive here, with Ed, eager to find out what all this hype was about.

We caught the not-so-cheap basic backpacker train and arrived in Aguas Calientes, also known as "Macchu Pichu pueblo" (village) at about 11. Sure enough, the train station was ridden with hostel touts and we followed a reasonably nice lady to the barebones Hostal El Mirador. What we were supposed to "mirar" (see) eluded me, because the only view from the window of our very smelly triple room was... Pachacutec street and a rather large avocado tree (which was out of reach).

Still, at 40 soles per room per night, it was an unbelievable steal. Hot water didn't appear to be promising despite our proprietress' insistence that it was available all the time.

We settled in quickly, with surprisingly hot showers after harrassing her a bit. The big day would be tomorrow!

Slideshow