Machu Picchu~Old Peak

Machu Picchu is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.  It was rediscovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham.  This sacred city of the Incas is by far worth the travel it took to get there.  It is more amazing in person than any picture can provide.  The intricate work the Incas had to do in the 1450s to build this magnificent  city in the middle of the mountains about 2400 meters above sea level is beyond words.  Although my children are still very young I can only hope that these pictures will keep the memory of Machu Picchu fresh in their minds as they get older.

Temple of the Three Windows

This a picture from the bottom looking up to the top.

These are the roads the bus drove to reach the peak of the mountain.  It was about a 25 minute bus ride from Aguas Calientes.

Temple of the Condor

Aguas Calientes...almost to Machu Picchu

Ollantaytambo has the train station that leads to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.  This is the only mode of transportation besides trekking to get to Machu Picchu.  It was a very scenic and relaxing ride to Aguas Calientes.  It was also the first train ride of this magnitude for the kids.  It was about a 2 hour ride through the jungle.

 This little town was built to accommodate all the tourists headed to Machu Picchu.  The kids were shocked that almost everyone here spoke English.  It was very easy to get around, good food everywhere, and the shopping was pretty good too.

Off to bed early as we FINALLY get to go to Machu Picchu in the early morning.

Cusco and the Sacred Valley

We woke up very early on the 26th and headed to the airport to start making our way to Machu Picchu.  Machu Picchu is one of the new 7 Wonders of the World.  

Our first day was spent touring the city of Cusco.  It is nestled in a valley about 3200 Meters above sea level.  The native people here are called Quechua and speak Quechuan.  Our guide was a wealth of information on the history of the Quechuas.

Headed to explore the city of Cusco

Cathedral in Plaza de Armas, the ancient Huacaypata

 The architecture throughout the city was amazing.  I was completely in love with the little things like the doors and the ornate decorations and locks that peppered the streets. 

 Rain tried to interrupt our educational fun but luckily you could find a rain poncho every few feet once the rain clouds appeared.  It just lasted a few minutes but wet, whiny and cold kids would not have been fun.

 Once the rain passed we toured Sacsayhuaman...our guide pronounced it sexywoman.  These Inca Ruins were built around 1460.  It was used for military, religious,  political and ceremonial events.  It also overlooks the city of Cusco.

 Our kids were the only kids on the tour.  So they were in charge of carrying around the flag that let the group know when it was time to leave or move on.  They quite enjoyed the task.  I was a bit surprised that there were not more kids around.  Almost everywhere we went my 3 littles were the only littles around.

 Next up was Tombachay.   This place was created for relaxation.  Natural water was streamed to make fountains.

 Qenqo was most likely built for religious ceremonies and the sacrificing of living creatures.

 Day 2:  The Sacred Valley

The Sacred Valley is formed by the Urubamba River and forms a natural highway to Machu Picchu.  Once here you can really start to feel and see the difference in areas of Peru.  It was very lush and green which is very different than Lima.  The rain we saw here was the first rain we had seen since arriving in Peru.  It has not rained once the entire time we have been in Lima.

Bluebonnets in the Sacred Valley

Next stop Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu!