Machu Picchu is one of those places on this earth that has to be experienced to be appreciated; it is definitely bucket-list worthy. I had always thought of Machu Picchu as a place reached only by those brave and intrepid souls who were fit to run a marathon. Having heard of people making the trek on foot, chewing coca leaves along the way to keep up their energy level, I never dreamed that this marvel on the mountainside could be easily reached. Keep in mind that although travel to this site can be comfortable, even luxurious, that once you arrive, it is very steep with very many steps.

For travel to Machu Picchu, I highly recommend taking a guided tour with the ease of included airport and train transfers, unless you are a seasoned and fit adventure traveler. My penchant for comfort and ease of travel,  I booked on the wonderfully restored Hiram Bingham vintage train.  I customized the entire journey with luxurious five star colonial acomadations, ensuring that we had a wonderful trip with no worries.

This was nearly the last leg of our journey to the citadel. The train traveled very slowly up the mountainside, so we were able to enjoy the view as we moved slowly along. The train itself added a certain vintage panache to the journey. The scenery was beautiful along the way; however, I was struck by the conditions in which many of the people lived. Many, but not all of the homes were little more than mud huts with tin roofs. Even so, the people we saw seemed very happy as they came out to the train tracks to wave at us as we slowly passed by. At the end of the train journey, mini busses were there to pick us up for the remainder of the journey up to the citadel. Our tour guides did a wonderful job of getting us around every road hazard and on our way.  The view of the terraces of Machu Picchu, marching up the impossibly steep mountainside was truly awe-inspiring. It is one of those once in a lifetime moments; creating memories of a lifetime. After all, once it is all said and done, what do any of us have if not our memories?

We were so richly rewarded for our trouble and expense of getting to this breathtakingly beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site. Machu Picchu, believed to be a sacred site for the Inca, was re-discovered by Yale professor Hiram Bingham in 1911. It is believed that the Spanish invaders did not discover and plunder this site because of its remote and difficult-to-reach location. The precise and intricate stonework of Machu Picchu is striking. No mortar was used and in many locations, the stones are set so tightly that a knife will not fit between the stones.

If you plan to go to Machu Picchu, I recommend staying at the luxurious resort at the base of the citadel or in nearby Agua Caliente for at least two nights. This will allow you more time to see the site, and spend less time traveling to and from the site than you would if you stay in Cusco, which is about a three and a half hour trip to the base of the mountain. Cusco is an interesting destination of it’s own. Be prepared for the high altitude of 11,000 feet. I went in February, and the weather was pleasant. It rained part of the time, but most of the time I did not need the light jacket that I wore. I recommend going in the off-season, from October to May, to avoid the crowds.