Before saying you’ve visited them, you first have to figure out what they are!
Herodotus is credited with the ‘7 Wonders of the Ancient World’, but the only item still standing from that awesome list is the pyramids at Giza, Egypt.
Accordingly, the ‘New 7 Wonders’ were announced in 2007. The pyramids are an ‘honorary’ member of the list, and the New 7 Wonders are: The Great Wall of China, Petra, Christ Redeemer, Machu Picchu, Chichen Itza, Colosseum of Rome & The Taj Mahal.
My first was Chichen Itza on my family’s first trip to Mexico.
In 2017, I finished with a trip to Machu Picchu.
My wife and I splurged for the Vistadome train from Cusco to Machu Picchu Pueblo (aka Aguas Calientes). We were seated at a group of 4 seats with a table in the middle; the other side had 2 really cool Chileans, and we hung out a lot during the next few days. I also practiced my rusty Spanish.
The train ride was great, and the countryside was beautiful.
Upon arrival and checking into our hotel, we had a great view of the river below and decided to explore it a bit. We then ran into the Chileans and walked up the road, out of town, and explored the nature nearby.
Early the next morning, we got in line for the bus to take you up the mountain to Machu Picchu. The buses start early. We got there 45 minutes before they start, and we were clearly late arrivals. There were hundreds and hundreds of people in line in front of us. We waited about 2 hours!
Some very ingenious people came down the line selling snacks, coffee, drinks, etc. I definitely had coffee. I’m not a morning person.
After all the rigamarole and making fun of the Chileans for how long it was going to take them to hike up to the entrance to Machu Picchu, we wound up in line next to them. They’d spent the same time hiking up that we spent waiting in line for the short bus trip. Regardless, we were finally entering Machu Picchu.
It deserves all of the hype!
Right after you enter, you get to the famous spot you see in everyone’s photos. Classic!
We spent 2 days in Machu Picchu and crisscrossed some paths. With that and pictures from multiple people combined, I’ve just grouped them into themes.
We also saw lots of alpacas, which was really awesome.
We walked all through the middle of the ruins, wherever possible.
Amazingly, we even had the same trail time as the Chileans on the extra ticket for climbing Huayna Picchu. Couldn’t be better!
With the altitude kicking our asses, we were slow but enjoyed the hike.
We also saw 2 separate chinchillas, which was really awesome. Original and local!
This is the Condor Temple, which was the last thing we saw on our way out the 2nd day.
Machu Picchu was awesome. It deserves all the hype.
We went before the new regulations (half-day ticket only, must have a guide, less areas open to the public), so I don’t know what things are like now, but it’s a trip I recommend to anyone.
This entry was posted in 7 wonders of the world, Machu Picchu, Peru, South America
