Some vacations are fun, and some journeys change you. Machu Picchu is an example of the second kind. It has misty mountain air, old paths, and a beautiful calm. When my husband and I eventually agreed to go, we had no idea how much this lost city in the skies would stick with us after we departed.
This book is both a tale and a how-to guide. I think everyone should go on a trip like ours at least once, even if it was extremely personal to us.
The Road to the Andes
We got to Cusco a few days before going to Machu Picchu, which I think is a good idea for anyone. Cusco is high up, beautiful, and always interesting, but the altitude is no joke. Those extra days helped us get used to things and gave us time to walk the cobblestone streets, drink coca tea, and learn more about the history of the Inca Empire.
We rode the train from Cusco via the Sacred Valley. As we went, the environment changed from high peaks to thick, green forest. This route will put you in a trance, even if you do not usually look out the window for hours.
When we got to Aguas Calientes, the little village at the base of Machu Picchu, we were so excited that we couldn’t sleep.
A Morning Wrapped in Clouds: Our Visit to the Lost City
This is what I would encourage every visitor who is considering this trip: Make sure to book a morning visit to Machu Picchu.
It was hard to believe that morning. The air was chilly, the sky was still sleeping, and the mountains were covered in a thin film of mist that made everything appear like a watercolor picture that was moving. We were one of the first groups to be let in, and it seemed like we were entering another universe as we walked through the gate.
The city was calm, which is something you do not often encounter at big tourist spots. We could hear the wind blowing through the grass and the birds waking up without all the people around. It was one of those rare times when time seems to slow down so you can take it all in.
As we went higher, the mist started to clear up, and we could see the famed terraces, the stone walls, and the steep drop of the mountains around the site. My husband stopped every few feet to take pictures, and I stopped simply to look and absorb it all in. For a while, we did not talk much since we did not have much to say. The site speaks for itself.
Exploring the Ruins at Your Own Pace
Finding your own rhythm is one of the nicest things about traveling as a pair. We walked hand in hand through certain areas of Machu Picchu and on our own through others. I adored getting lost in the tight stone hallways and thinking about what life would have been like here hundreds of years ago. My husband was also interested in the engineering, how the Incas built this structure so accurately, without modern equipment, in such a hard-to-reach spot.
The mix of old buildings and untouched nature is the finest kind of overpowering. There is a new view of the mountains and a new snap ready to be taken at every bend. But the finest times were the ones that were not caught on camera: the peaceful moments, the grins we exchanged, and the way the light gently warmed the stones under our feet.
Tips for Your Machu Picchu Journey
We got some good suggestions throughout our vacation that made things go more smoothly:
Get to Cusco early. Give yourself at least two days to get used to the higher altitude. Your body will be grateful afterward.
Get your tickets early. The site only lets in a certain number of people each day, and morning spots sell out first for a reason.
Spend the night at Aguas Calientes. Getting up early and not hurrying from Cusco makes the trip a lot more fun.
Bring extra clothes. Machu Picchu has all four seasons in a few hours: morning fog, noon heat, and rain now and then.
Take it easy. Do not hurry through the wreckage. Allow the place to show itself to you.
Leaving the Lost City Behind
We did not want the moment to end as we walked back to Aguas Calientes. It was hard to leave Machu Picchu behind since it felt like a dream. But that is the wonder of certain places: they give you something you didn’t realize you wanted.
It reminded us of how little we are and how linked we are to the world around us. You understand how beautiful the world is when you are ready to climb for it when you stand amid old stones and breathe in mountain air.
Final Thoughts
We did not just cross off Machu Picchu on our bucket list; it changed us. We departed with aching legs, a full camera roll, and hearts that were a bit more open. This is an adventure that will stay with you forever, whether you go alone, with a partner, or with friends.
And if you can, go to Machu Picchu in the morning like we did. It is the closest thing you will get to viewing the Lost City like the Incas did: peaceful, magical, and full of legends.