Today our team had the pleasure of visiting one of the 7 new wonders of the new world, Machu Picchu, a historic Inca site that has captured the imagination and hearts of millions ever since Hiram Bingham’s famous expedition with National Geographic in 1912 and was also declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1983.
Myself and Rivers braved the early morning crowds and got in line for the bus at 4:30 to try and catch the early sunrise on the city. We made it on time and watched as the sun rose over the mountains to the east and spread its light on the Inca Citadel. Built around 1450 presumably as a royal estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti, Machu Picchu sits on a ridge line around 8,000 feet above the Urubamba River.
The whole group met up early morning and some hiked to the sun gate while others climbed Machu Pichu mountain. We all met for lunch and then continued our visit with a tour given by our local guide Aly. We learned about their relationship to the sun,mountains and stars, witnessed the incredible stonework, and were smitten with the llamas. It was a long day but full, enriching and humbling to see this wonder of the world. It was extra special knowing we trekked over the mountains like the Inca did in the 15th century to reach this historic site!
Tomorrow we will make our way back to Cusco for our final farewell dinner before our team makes the journey home.
