After 33 hours bus, we arrive finally in the City of the Inca, Cusco. The entire town is built on the remnants of am old Inca town, but today it feels more like a big touristic attraction.
For me it is the entrance way to the famous Inca Citadel, Machu Picchu… But we’re quite late, so the question is: ‘will I get there, without any preparation?’. Next morning I walk around half of Cusco to find an entrance ticket, but it is with the help of Ilse that I finally manage to get hold of a train ticket to the citadel.

Two hours later I’m on a bus to Ollantaytabo, where another impressive citadel lies and where the famous PeruRail railroad starts. Before boarding, I have time for a warming up in the Ollantaytambo citadel, built against a steep wall. Especially the condor in the rock is attractive…
After that I cross the valley to the small village of Aguas Calientes, at the foot of Machu Picchu. There I finally get an entrance ticket for the very next morning. Now a good meal and a short nights rest before the great day arrives…

4:30… Breakfast and then a walk to the foot of the mountain. After the ticket control, I’m ready for the climb to the citadel. 500m uphill, mostly along stairs! Exhausting.
Finally I’m at the top. The clouds play seek and hide with the famous citadel, making it’s reputation… ‘City in the clouds.’
First I take a walk along the Inca trails to the Gate of the Sun, where I get some stunning views over the site! Afterwards I visit the Inca bridge and finally wander through the entire site…
I spent some great moments between these old city walls.

Then it is time to climb back down, catch a train to Hidroelectrica and find a bus back to Cusco. The latter is not easy, since it is independence day here in Peru, so many people have a day off. Finally I find a spot on the floor of a bus and 6 hours later I’m back in Cusco…
After all a great trip!
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The Inca Face of Machu Picchu