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Next morning we emerge from the Urubamba Valley into
the highlands around Chinchero, a pretty market town
set among colorful fields of blooming potatoes and
other crops. This is a great place to shop, as the
handicrafts are too good to pass up. But for me the
real highlight of Chinchero is the village church,
a small, unassuming building filled with a dizzying
array of devotional art. |
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In the rainy season, life sometimes shifts to accommodate
Mother Nature's whims, especially when it comes to
dirt roads. Deep mud makes travel to Moray impossible,
so we take a longer than usual hike through the pretty
highlands to the Maras Salinas, terraced salt ponds
that have been in constant use since the time of
the Incas. |
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I've been looking forward to this day since I was 5!
Today we begin our journey to Machu Picchu, which
has captivated my imagination since first seeing
a photo in one of my father's National Geographics.
And it's a real kick when the train drops us off
in the middle of the cloud forest! |
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Three quarters of the way to Machu Picchu we encounter
the serene ruins of Winay Wayna. Hiking the cut-stone
Inca trail is harder than I imagined (I am in AWE
of the Inca runners who ran this trail in sandals!)
and Winay Wayna is a welcome resting spot, with a
great view as well. |
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The break is all too brief. It's raining now and the
last stretch to Machu Picchu takes on a sense of
urgency. We want to get there AND outrun the storm.
Alas, the weather obscures the famous view from the
Intipunku, but just making it to the top is reason
enough for a group photo! |
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For more information and reservations, please
contact:
Mountain Travel Sobek
1266 66th Street, Suite 4
Emeryville, CA 94608
1-510-594-6000 or
Toll Free 1-888-831-7526 (USA & Canada)
Additional International Toll Free Numbers
Fax: 1-510-594-6001
Email: info@mtsobek.com |
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