Peru - Machu Picchu Although there are many videos and photos on the Internet, when you actually see it, you will only shout "amazing!"

2024.08.28 The highlight of this trip to Peru - Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World As soon as we arrived in Reshui Town last night, we bought tickets to go to Machu Picchu the next day. Of course, I had already bought the tickets in May, but the tickets for Circle 2 were very popular, so when I bought them at that time, there were only two tickets left, one for 8/28 at 12 noon and one for 2 pm. When waiting for the bus to Machu Picchu, there will be a timetable for buying tickets in front of each queue. Basically, you have to queue up according to the time you buy the ticket. But luckily, today, before queuing to get on the 12 o'clock bus, when the staff checked the tickets, although my friend's time was 2 pm, we both asked if we could take the same bus together. It happened that the person standing behind us understood English and helped us explain to the staff in Spanish. So after some pleading and explanation, he still stamped the ticket and let the two of us take the bus together. We were really lucky! How to get to Machu Picchu? Two ways to get from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu 1. Bus • Price: USD 24/person round trip (about NT$768) • Time: About 20 minutes to reach the entrance of Machu Picchu 2. Walking • Price: Free • Time: 10 km one way, about 1.5-2 hours walking Adhere to the principle of not overworking your body! Of course, we chose to take the bus to Machu Picchu. It is recommended that you go to the bus ticket office to buy tickets when you arrive in Reshuizhen the day before. Remember to bring your passport or ID to buy tickets, because they will check whether you are the real person when you get on the bus. Although I had to get up early and wait for a long time at the gate and to get on the bus, I was finally about to set foot on this mysterious ancient Inca civilization, and my heart was filled with excitement and anticipation. Due to physical factors, we chose the more relaxed way of taking a ride to Reshui Town. Compared to the friends I heard before, they started from Cusco and completed the five-day Salkantay Trek. The entire hiking trip including food and accommodation only cost USD 200 (about NT$6400). This challenge is suitable for friends who have time and physical strength! In the morning, after we had breakfast, we went out at about 9:30, only to find that there was already a large group of people queuing for the bus to Machu Picchu. We immediately joined the queue! While waiting in line, I actually met two people from Lima who had joined the tour group with me yesterday. They also came to Machu Picchu today. We arrived at Machu Picchu around 11:50. Remember to use the toilet before entering. The fee is 2 sol/person (about NT$20), and this is the only toilet, so be careful not to drink too much water before entering so that you can stay inside longer. We didn't hire a tour guide this time, so we were able to stay inside for almost four hours. Although there is no tour guide's explanation, you can take pictures and explore more freely. I saw that those who were traveling in a group or had a tour guide were asked to move quickly to the next explanation point. There are really pros and cons to each. Today can really be said to be a dream come true. I finally saw the Machu Picchu that I had been longing for! I have wanted to come to Peru for many times, and finally it happened! It is actually very easy to take pictures of empty scenery inside Machu Picchu. Just wait until a group of tourists passes by and seize the opportunity to take great photos. Today I also met a family from the United States. The father is over 70 years old. I really admire him when I saw him climbing up and down with his two sons. This experience has made me more determined to travel more when I am young, and not wait until I am old to regret not exploring the world sooner. For dinner, we enjoyed a very cost-effective set meal at a restaurant, which cost only 15 sol/person (about NT$150). Later we went to drink Pisco sour but found that the one here was not as good as the one in Cusco. I was disappointed after trying both, and could only go back to the hotel silently. Background and Highlights of Machu Picchu: Machu Picchu, known as the "Lost Inca City", was built by the Inca Emperor Pachacuti in the 15th century and is located on a mountain at an altitude of about 2,430 meters. This ancient city is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is one of the most important tourist attractions in Peru. The architectural style of Machu Picchu blends perfectly with the surrounding natural landscape. The entire site includes many stone temples, palaces, houses and terraces, demonstrating the Inca people's outstanding construction technology and precise astronomical observations. The most notable buildings include the Temple of the Sun, the Sacred Forum, and the house believed to be the emperor's residence. As you explore Machu Picchu, you’ll discover that each stone was precisely cut and fitted together, without the use of any mortar, yet it stands firmly in the earthquake-prone Andes Mountains. This ancient city is not only a symbol of Inca civilization, but also a historical puzzle worthy of deep thought. When visiting Machu Picchu, it is recommended to book your ticket early to ensure you get the circle 2 Complete Classic Circuit tickets, because the route is the longest and most complete! Besides, you’re spending the same amount of money on tickets, so why not go to the longest one? Also, when you enter, the staff will check whether each person's name matches the one on the ticket, so those who want to buy transfer tickets should also remember that the name on the ticket can be changed. Otherwise, if you get to the door and are found to have a different name, you will be kicked out. And bring water, a hat, and sunscreen with you, because it's really sunny inside. Also, selfie sticks are prohibited inside, so there is no need to bring one, because when we took out our selfie sticks, the staff asked us to put them away. Coming here really feels like a goal achieved! Thanks to my friend Da Lai for accompanying me to Peru, where I collected the seven wonders of the world, Machu Picchu. Next year, my goal is to collect the other two of the seven wonders, Petra in Jordan, and the Taj Mahal in India! #peru #machupicchu #sevenwondersoftheworld #Peru #MachuPicchu