Connie and I were able to visit Machu Picchu about two weeks ago. The Machu Picchu Sanctuary is somewhat of a logistical challenge to visit. We were with a large group of fellow missionaries and volunteers and made a long day trip from Cusco. For a photographer, this is not an ideal plan. We left our hotel in Cusco at 5:20 AM and drove in minivans for 1.5 hours to the Incan town of Ollantaytambo. It used to be possible to take a train from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, but the train no longer reaches Cusco. Once in Ollantaytambo, we transferred to a Peru Rail train for the 2-hour ride to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of the mountain where Machu Picchu is located, There, we took a 25-minute bus ride up the mountain to the sanctuary. After spending about 5 hours at Machu Picchu, we retraced our route to Cusco, arriving back to the hotel 15 hours after our departure.
If we are able to return to Machu Picchu, we would make a two-day trip. The sanctuary opens at the early hour of 6 AM, so I would stay overnight at Aguas Calientes and travel up the mountain early the next day before the day trippers arrive and while the light is softer.
The wet season has now begun in the mountainous regions of Peru. Machu Picchu is best visited from early May to the end of October. During the wet season, sometimes the ruins cannot be viewed from the overlooks due to fog and clouds.
On the day we visited, the weather was a little unusual in that we had bright sunny conditions all day. Some clouds were present over the surrounding mountains, but because we arrived at midday, the light at Machu Picchu was bright and harsh. This made photography a challenge. Nevertheless, given the light conditions, I am pleased with some photos I was able to make.
Here are a few photos I made during our day trip to Machu Picchu.
Some llamas live at Machu Picchu.
This is the classic view of the ruins at Machu Picchu from near the entrance to the sanctuary.
View of the city of Machu Picchu from a walled and terraced courtyard.
Ruins of a house with terraces beyond.
Before our visit, I did not appreciate the extensive terraces that the Incans constructed into the steep mountainsides for agriculture.
