One of the big reasons for this cruise itinerary was to visit Machu Pichu. We had a killer schedule over 2.5 days, but it was worth it all. We left the ship as soon as we docked in Lima and flew about an hour into the interior to Cusco.
You feel the altitude immediately. They were selling oxygen canisters in the airport, but Jim and I remained positive that we wouldn't have any trouble. Luckily, beyond feeling a bit light headed and strange (it's hard to describe), we did well.
Cusco is 11,000 ft. We had a great lunch of local dishes then went to a village in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, which was 15,000 feet above sea level. We enjoyed the traditional weaving demonstration and seeing the women in their native dress. We finished the long day at a beautiful spa hotel in that valley.
Our long day to Machu Pichu started at 4:30 AM. Our band of 11 travelers boarded our motor coach and set out to catch the Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes, an 1.5 hour trip. From there it was another small motor coach for a 30 minute ride up a narrow, winding switchback road to the Machu Pichu Citadel. (I give you this detail to say that it was a long, long day.)
I can only say it was Magical. We were blessed with the sun and blue skies for 2 hours of our almost 3 hour trek through the citadel. Rain came toward the end of the trek, but we were happy campers to get the picture postcard photos that we had dreamed of.
We arrived back in Cusco about 7:30 PM, tired, but totally happy that we had made the journey. There are so many pictures to remember the day. I'll have the M.P. pictures up by tomorrow.
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