Tours to Machu Picchu originate in the town of Ollantaytambo, home of the Temple of the Sun ruins. It's a tiny town with skinny cobblestone streets that was a challenge to find parking in.
Fresh chicken and beef for sale in front of the supermarket here. She had a full time job swishing flies away.
Big fat ears of white corn for sale from a heap on the tarp on the ground. Locals don't like having their pictures taken, so I had to focus on the produce.
A man with a load of corn stalks walking along the street.
More street market in Ollantaytambo.
The steps up to the Temple of the Sun. You could see this from town, but had to pay to climb up into the ruins.
The Peru Rail train to Machu Picchu. They are nice trains and run on time. Everything about Machu Picchu is scheduled.
Jason gaWe followed this river most of the way to Machu Picchu.
We're headed up into that cloud bank in the distance.
The train stopped to let off some hikers doing the Inca Trail hike up to Machu Picchu. It has a short and long version and can be 1-4 days.
I had some coca tea on the train, along with some chamomile tea. They help with the effects of altitude sickness.
This local just appeared in the jungle along the railroad tracks. People do still live out here.
Craggy mountains reach up out of the jungle of trees.
The windows of the train allowed us to view some of the high peaks along the route.
It was raining when we arrived in Aguas Calientes, the Machu Picchu Pueblo. The town from which all buses leave to take tourists to Machu Picchu ruins. Jason is in front of one of many stone carvings in the town.
Jason in his rain jacket. Our hotel was just a couple of blocks from the train station.
The walkway was paved in the different colored stones of the area here. Very pretty.
A river runs right through the town of Aguas Calientes. The name means hot waters, and there are geothermal hot springs and spas just outside of town.
Jason at statues in the town square.
Our hotel room at Runa's in Aguas Calientes. Small but quite adequate.
The view from across the hall from our room.
One of the bridges across the river is loaded with 'love locks' that people put up. The whole fence looked gold from all the locks.
It's a bit cooler at this altitude, but these little dogs looked silly in their outfits.
Jason in front of a bar signboard.
Locals with their shawls full of stuff trundle up the steep streets.
We saw a couple of hairless dogs in this town.
Local waiting to purchase an entrance ticket into Machu Picchu. We spent hours waiting for things to get to Machu Picchu: bus, train, ticket purchase, entry....
Our breakfast at the hotel included fruit. This little melon was very mild tasting. I hadn't seen these before. Pretty purple and creamy yellow, pale yellow on the inside.
These buses drove up the road in town and then had to back up to the very edge of the river to make the turn to head back down. Not much space here.
All the shops had the same fare for sale: bags, hats, ponchos, alpaca wear and souvenirs.
Huge bundles of toilet paper being carted up the street. For when you really have to go......
A statue of an Incan god with a condor by the big letters in town.
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