Day 3: Part II

We finished the trek! I’m sure some of you all thought we would end at Machu Picchu., but like I mentioned, the trails directly to Machu Picchu were still closed at the time. So after we finished the trek we had lunch then caught the train to Aquas Calientas.  

Back to public transport. We still had to wear a mask and face shield on all public transport, including planes, trains, buses and cars. We were the only people in our train car, but still had to keep all the things on, so it wasn’t all that relaxing. See the empty train car behind BK below?

When you get to Aquas Calientas, you realize how COVID has impacted everywhere. Again, typically a bustling town, now pretty subdued. We got off the train and immediately walked over to the bus, which is the only way you can get up to Machu Picchu. The bus leaves every few minutes and makes its way up tiny mountain side roads. You have to just trust that the drivers do this all the time because you are on tiny mountain roads working your way up to Machu Picchu. 

On the way up we caught our first views of Machu Picchu, and it is INCREDIBLE. We stayed at Sanctuary Lodge Machu Picchu, which is the only hotel at the base of Machu Picchu. For the record, any other year we would not have paid what it costs to stay at this hotel. However, thanks to COVID, it was much, much cheaper than normal. To give you an idea, we were one of two rooms occupied in the 30-something room hotel.

We got to the hotel in time to have massages and shower to get ready for the evening. We had another Pisco tasting with the bartender and the other “couple” (a mother and son) in the hotel. I answered a quiz correctly so I got to go behind the bar and prepare Pisco sours for everyone (below). Dinner in the hotel restaurant was good then we went an joined the other guests at their fancier dinner, where the son had brought in musicians and some other special stuff for his mom. We called it a night to get ready to tour Machu Picchu in the morning. 

I know it seems like we’ll never make it there, but I promise we will. What’s that they say? It’s the journey, not the destination. I would argue it was both on this trip.