UP AND UP

Day: 412

4:45 We were all awake to catch the “Backpacker Class” train to Macchu Pichu, still an obscene $48 one way for a 4 hour train ride (aka Europe Prices). When we arrived at the station we were stoked that there were only 6 people in front of us in the line where we had to pick up our tickets, unfortunately even though we are paying a premium for the service it doesn’t mean you receive quality service. Ed and I waited 40 minutes to just pick up our tickets while Felicia looked excessively bored watching all the bags.

Finally we boarded the 6:50 train and zig-zaged our way all the way to the tiny town of Agua Calientes (or Macchu Pichu Pueblo) and found a nice young woman who promised us three beds and hot water for 40 Soles a night ($13), she was true to her word, and although we had to hunt her down everytime we wanted to shower, the price was really good for the continents biggest tourist attraction. We headed off and had lunch.

After lunch Ed and I decided to hike a trail to Putucusi that was ever so briefly mentioned in the Lonely Planet as a steep climb and a great view, of course they made no mention of how long the trail was or what to expect other that where the trail begins. I guess it’s too much to ask for a guidebook to actually contain useful information.

Either way, Ed and I set off at 2:40pm and knew the sun would be coming down at 5:30ish so we decided we’d hike until just after 4pm and turn around so as not to be caught in the dense undergrowth with only my weak flashlight in the dark jungle.

The trail turned out to be a hike that essentially went straight up the side of the mountain and at times even had ladders which we hundreds of feet into the air with just steel cable to hold on to. Within in hour we had found we were near the top from some other hikers and but still had a way to go, the mountain reminded me of Hua Shan in China whih I climbed straight up last year. Also I was dying from being out of shape, and completely covered in sweat (which I decided was because South America is too cheap so you stop walking everywhere when you can get a cab for a $1). Eventually (and a few minutes after our 4pm deadline) we did make it to the top for our first view of Macchu Pichu, and even completely drenched in sweat it made for a glorious climb. We knew tomorrow we would be in the ruins themselves.