Before dinner we are treated to a performance on the hotel lawn of vibrant dances based on Peruvian traditions and folklore.
We have an early morning start for the train ride down to Machu Picchu. It came as a surprise that the ride from Ollantaytambo (9160 feet) to Machu Picchu (7700 ft) was downhill, constantly and significantly. The uphill return ride should be interesting. Everyone going to Machu Picchu must take the train from there Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, also called Machu Picchu Pueblo (City), the base town for Machu Picchu.
Passengers from a local train pass us on the way to the stations. There are many sherpas passing by with their heavy packs.
The highlights of the ride through the canyon and between the steep Andean mountains is the tall snow-covered mountain peak Veronica, the beginning of the modern day Inca hiking trail, and ruins of the Inca supply depots along the trail.
Exiting the train, we are guided through Machu Picchu town, still called by many and including our guide, , mostly because the lines for the busses are ridiculous just after the train arrives.
The bus from town climbs a long dirt zig zag road to Machu Picchu. Our third Belmond hotel is located adjacent to the entrance of the ruins. There are only two things on the top of this mountain: Machu Picchu and the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge.
Our entrance time into Machu Picchu is 2pm. It will be quite enough time to torture us with another series of climbs. For the second day, even the youngest in the group are breathing hard; all except for the three native guides.
The place speaks for itself.
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