Peru: Part 3 of 3 - Machu Picchu - Final Peru Reflections

I'm excited to share my Machu Picchu experience! Especially for those that are interested in going. The first thing I tell all my friends are... If you're going to go to Machu Picchu, do the hike! The reason is, by the time you get to the preservation site, there's 8,6742,34 other people there with you. You spend maybe a couple of hours at the site before starting to get bored. It becomes just another crowded touristy attraction. But when you walk the trails as the Incas did, it's a whole another experience and appreciation. You won't believe how the Incas brought up all those boulders of rocks while walking all those miles.

My Top 3 Tips

1. Get there as early as you can
2. Hire a guide
3. Don't forget to get your passport stamped/Bring money for the restroom

Arrival Date - Get there EARLY!
We took the bus that drives you all the way up. We arrived at the top at 7am.
Note: if you go through Inca Trail, you enter the sanctuary by Gate of the Sun by foot. Yeah I missed out on that.

Once you are past the ticket/security area, there will be a spot to take a photo of the world-famous Machu Picchu picture such as the one displayed here of our group.

We made it!!!

I will spare you the 300 photos I took inside Machu Picchu -- they start to look the same -- perfectly chiseled rocks that make up a fortress. Instead, I encourage you to go and take photos of your own :) But I will say, there are MANY MANY cool things to learn once you're inside. That leads to Tip #2 - Hire a guide.

Intrepid Travel hired a guide for us. I kind of felt sorry for the tourists walking around aimlessly just staring at the buildings, rocks, taking selfies, not realizing they were missing out on the historical and sometimes secret information about Machu Picchu - of course, unless they were archaeological students

Here's a sample clip - it may not be the MOST interesting fact to share but when you're there to see it in person, everything is über amazing :)

Finally - Here are some photos :)

This photo was taken probably just after 7am. Two hours later, this place was as packed as Disneyland on a Saturday.

My favorite spot in Machu Picchu

Here is a mini mountain/rock formation

Can you see the mama mountain and the baby rock?

Our guide is showing us how the Incas brought up all the boulders/rocks... it took 100 years and they only lived in it for 100 years.

No, it was not aliens that helped the Incas

There is a great spot to lounge around and soak in the awe

There are also llamas to pet - they are just chillin' in the terraced areas.

There are some stairs to climb. Those Incas were in great shape!

Can you spot the chillin llama? :)

I had some free time and this might seem anti-social but I choose not to walk to the sun gate with the rest of the group. Rather, I found a quiet shaded spot and meditated. Personally, there was a lot going on in my life and this was the perfect place to just sit and meditate. I say - Walk to the beat of your own drum.

I took a semi-selfie to remember my meditative view :)

Tip #3 - Get a passport stamp and don't forget to bring $ to use the toilet!

That marks the end of my trip to Machu Picchu... leaving on a happy note with our Aussie mates having fun playing cards

NEXT ADVENTURE TO COME...

Mount Everest Base Camp - Nepal, 5,364 metres (17,598 ft) - 15 day trek (vs. 3 days in Peru)

If you have any questions I didn't cover, please feel free to contact me! FYI - I am no experienced trekker. I'm usually the most city girl whenever I go on these things. You can do it!!! :D

miniglobetrekker@gmail.com