Trains, Plains and Automobiles

             Today we left the city of Lima and headed to Agua Caliente, a small village situated just at the base of Machu Picchu.   Our first means of transportation called for an air flight scheduled at 8:30am so it was up at 5am with our taxi arriving at 6.  Check in was very smooth and   I didn’t actually see an airplane and quickly discovered why - we were all loaded onto a bus and driven around on the tarmac looking for our Star Peru airplane.   It seemed to me to be a very unorganized and chaotic drive but I guess they knew right where they were going because we arrived safely to our awaiting plane, quickly boarded and lifted off right on time.

            Flying to Cusco afforded some spectacular views of the Andeas.  Flight time was just short of an hour and a half and landing proved to be interesting as well.  Cusco sits in a ‘bowl’ surrounded by mountains, although the locals may call them hills.  Our altitude remained high as we flew past the runway and then made a sharp turn and quick descent to the small airstrip below. The altitude of Cusco is 10,750. 

           

            Once outside the Cusco terminal we were met by a private van and driver for the 2 hour drive to Ollantaytambo, located in the Sacred Valley.  What a thrill ride coming out through the mountains of Cusco and into the Sacred Valley.  Our driver graciously dropped us as close as he could to the train station.  We ordered a boxed lunch from a local restaurant and proceeded down to the station with everything in tow.  Streets there aren’t paved nice and smooth like ours.  Be sure you don’t wear high heels.  Good walking shoes are the order for the day.

            Finally situated on the train we were now ready for the one and a half hour train trip to the village of Agua Caliente.  We had seats that faced with a table between so it was very nice for eating our lunch, playing cards, talking and enjoying the beautiful scenery.   Arrival into Agua Caliente was around 3pm.  We were met by one of the staff from the hotel who wanted to assist with our luggage.  Little did we know that you don’t drive anywhere in Agua Caliente.  Everything is built ‘up the hill’ so we packed all our luggage up the hill to our hotel for the evening.   

We were staying at the Hotel Taykikala Machupicchu and it was the last hotel at the top of the town.  At an elevation of about 6,700 feet we proceeded slow and steady.

            After getting settled in and walking up and down the hill a couple of more times (there are only 2 main streets to walk up and down) we had dinner at the hotel.  Afterwards we walked about 200 feet down the hill and had a 1-hour couples massage which included hot stones.  It was wonderful and a great way to end the day.