Machu Picchu - Day 2 - Tuesday

We got up early to get into the site when it opened at 6 a.m. There was already a queue as buses now start early. Still, the people soon became insignificant in such a huge site and we felt as if we had the place to ourselves - and a few llamas and vicuna. As we're in a cloud forest, the mist is thick until the sun rises enough to burn it off - which doesn't take long. It feels really atmospheric and you can appreciate the antiquity of the place. Spent a peaceful hour before breakfast.

Breakfast was good, and after spending a short while on our terrace watching the hummingbirds feed, we set off for the Inca Bridge.

Those Incas must have been mad!

On the way back,Marg proved what a fearless intrepid explorer she's become! And yes - it was a few hundred feet drop the other side of the path.



This one was a little safer! Machu Picchu made a huge impression on us but unfortunately we had to leave. 

We travelled back by road and then train to Ollantaytambo, where a car was waiting to take us back to Cusco. The sacred valley seems to exist as it has done for many hundreds of years. We were very aware that we were travelling from one luxury hotel to another as the people are so poor. Animals are vitally important to the family - whether for work or for food.

We ended our stay in Peru with a last stroll up to the Plaza de Armas. Like most places we visit, we could have stayed much longer, and explored much further. We've thoroughly enjoyed it.

Farewell Peru, Ecuador here we come!