Over the course of 2 days, we had an opportunity to explore the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Both are tucked in the highlands of the Andes Mountains in Peru. On day one, our guide, Edgar (who was born and grew up in Cusco) brought us to 2 different archeological sites, Pisaq and Ollantaytambo. Both sites showed the remains of pre-Inca and Inca villages. We gained a glimpse into the Inca’s ability to design and build incredible cities, buildings, and terraces. I was blown away at the ingenuity and brilliance of these ancient civilizations. Between the mind blowing engineering and the breathtaking highland countryside, the day was filled with wonder and awe…with that said, we had no idea what was waiting for us the next day at Machu Picchu!!
To get to the first “7 Wonders of The World” that we would be seeing on our trip, we first took a 2 hour shuttle from Cusco to a small town closer to Machu Picchu. Then, we boarded a train for a 90 minute ride to an even smaller city that lay 1500 ft below Machu Picchu. Finally, after a 4:40 am wake up call, we waited in a long line to board a bus that drove us 30 minutes up the mountain to the gates of Machu Picchu! Keep in mind, this trek is completed by 6,000 people EVERY DAY during the dry season. Now, let me be clear….all of that is completely, 100% worth it once you get to experience Machu Picchu. As a family, we watched documentaries, read books, and saw countless photos of this place, but nothing can compare with the overwhelming sense of awe that you feel when you see this preserved ancient city in person!!
Our day was perfect for multiple reasons: (1) We had one of the earliest entrances into the city so the crowds were minimal, (2) Our guide was amazing! He was born and grew up in the small town next to Machu Picchu and he had been a tour guide for 25 years, (3) We had tickets for “Circuit 2” which is the most sought after route, and (4) The weather was ideal! No rain, clear views of the surrounding mountains, and pleasant temperatures (all of which are not typical at Machu Picchu).
I could probably write pages and pages on our experience and about what we learned, but I’ll try to give the highlights. The first thing that stands out is the sheer size, design, craftsmanship, and intentionality of how this enormous city was built. The stone work is unfathomable; how did they possibly cut, shape, move, place, and polish all of those granite stones with the basic tools they had at the time?!?!
The second aspect that is evident throughout Machu Picchu is the drainage system. During the rainy season, this area (for 5 months) averages over 6 inches of rain a month, with the wettest months bringing over 9 inches of rain! During this period of the year, it rains 20-26 days each month! Yet somehow, this ancient city has stood solid through all that rain (and multiple earthquakes) for over 500 years! Today, you are lucky to get 50 years out of a retaining wall that is made with today’s “technology.”
Finally, you can’t walk through Machu Picchu without continuously feeling the deep connection that the Inca’s had with “Mother Earth” and its surrounding mountains. The city was designed in a way so that they would be able to tell the summer/winter solstice based on which mountain peak or valley the Sun would rise. The main door into Machu Picchu perfectly frames one of the mountains. They even carved a replica of the highest mountain peak on a huge piece of granite to help bring the power of the mountain into their village. Terraces faced the best direction to produce the highest yield of their crops. Examples like this go on and on and on!!
For me personally, this was my favorite experience of our trip thus far, and I will cherish these memories forever. I’m also excited for all of the McFarland students and staff who will be visiting Machu Picchu next summer. Enjoy every moment!!
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