The Big Day - Machu Picchu

   Monday morning we took the bus up to Machu Picchu.  After a group photo, our local guide gave us a tour of the main sites.  Then some of us hiked to the top of Wayna Picchu.  The views were spectacular, so may have too many pictures.
  Loved the fog and clear sky on the way up.

Our first glimpse of the ruins.

At the site.

The whole group.

The Incas did a lot of work up here!

They sure knew how to build walls!

Wayna Picchu

Earthquakes have done some damage -- but still standing.

They sculpted the stone like the mountain behind.

Couldn't get enough of these views!

Here's a glimpse of the road up.

At the start of the trail up Wayna Picchu.

Another view.

To get up, you have to first go down.  J. Lynn decided this would be as far as she would go.

Then you go up.  Here's Angela.

It was nice hiking on the back side in the shade.  View was great, too!

Many stopped here at the platform near the top.

I took a look and decided I could go on up.

Great views from on top.  Looks like a long way down to the ruins!

The Incas did quite a bit of work on top.


Documented my arrival.

Angela hadn't wanted Terry to come on up, but he followed me after a few minutes.  Caught me by surprise on top.  There were a bunch of folks waiting to get their pictures taken on the rock over the ruins.  Terry snapped this one.

Going down from the top was the only really spooky part.  I did get a little wobbly!

Most didn't seem afraid of heights.


More of the ruins on top.

Back down, met a llama,

Then wandered around the ruins for a bit.


















This was a condor - rock wings on either side, head on the ground.



We reconnected with J. Lynn at the exit in the afternoon.  Took the bus back down the mountain, had a late lunch, then took the train back to Cusco for a late supper.  All in all, a fantastic day!