Day 13 - The Big Day… Machu Picchu!

The day has finally come for us to visit Machu Picchu! We kicked things off bright and early, meeting at the train station around 7 am. Shortly afterwards, we boarded the Inca Rail and began our journey. The 2-hour train ride was an amazing experience filled with beautiful scenery, music, and dance. We arrived in Aguas Calientes around 10 AM, where we boarded a bus and took a trip up the mountain to see one of the 7 Wonders of the World! After a short hike, we finally encountered Machu Picchu from a breathtaking lookout point. For the next two hours, we explored the Incan ruins, learning about its history, such as its discovery by Hiram Bingham and the removal of one of its sundials. In addition to this, we took hundreds of photos! At around 1 pm, we bid goodbye to Machu Picchu and began our descent back to the town of Aguas Calientes, where we shared a hearty lunch in a pirate-themed restaurant. After exploring the town for a bit, we hopped on a train back to Ollantaytambo, where we watched a fashion show and played cards. Upon our return at 7, we ended our day of exploration and fun by eating dinner with our host families.

– Gabriela Coates and Max Choi