Choo Choo To Machu Picchu

Jenesa (and I) were a little spoiled last night.  We have been staying in some very nice hotels during our summer travels!  But last night the Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Spa was far beyond anything  we could have imagined on this trip.  Our overnight room was almost as big as our house back home!  We almost hated to leave this morning for the train to Machu Picchu!

PeruRail hugged the Urubamba River from the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu.  A short 80 minute train ride and we were there....ready to see this Wonder of the World.  We were scheduled for a guided tour of the area in the morning followed by a buffet lunch.  In the afternoon we had time to return and trek other areas around the mountain.

From the main town area....you need to take a shuttle bus 8,000 feet up the mountain on switchback roads barely wide enough for two vehicles to pass each other.  It's a bit scary if you're sitting next to the window and notice there are no guardrails or any type of "saving grace" if the driver gets a little too close to the edge.  It was one of the longest 20 minute rides of my life!

When we finally reached the top of the mountain.....tada!  Machu Picchu!