mind off what I could expect from the
following day.
The view down the sacred valley
from the balcony of an unexpectedly
lovely coffee shop, that was literally
hanging off the valley wall, set the
scene for our ride as we dropped
steeply down to the valley floor and
followed the fast-flowing Urubamba
river to Ollantaytambo. This is where
we boarded the train for Aguas Cal-
ientes and our last night before our
visit to Machu Picchu.
I almost wished that I had not
had that last Pisco Sour as my alarm
sounded the next morning at 4.30am.
The constant roar of the raging river,
a couple of metres below my hotel
room balcony, had sent me to sleep,
deep and peaceful, instead of keep-
ing me awake as I had anticipated
it might (perhaps the Pisco Sours
helped there too).
A head-torch, camera, snacks and
a jacket for the cool misty morning
were stuffed into my pack as I headed
out the door to join the group who
had decided that an hour and a half
trek up the Incan stone steps was a
better idea to joining the rest of the
group in a que for a crowded bus ride
to the entrance to the world famous
site.
We made it to the entrance, hot
and breathless, but just in time to wit-
ness the cloud misting away and the
early morning light illuminating the
splendour of the mountain top ruins.
Machu Picchu, the ruins of a
long-lost citadel, reclaimed from the
jungle on this remote and spectacu-
lar mountain top are awe inspiring
enough. The mystery of why and
how it was constructed and even the
tale of Hiram Bingham who “re-dis-
covered” the site in 1911 adds wonder
and romance to the place.
Our private guide, Ruben, was
encyclopaedic in his in-depth knowl-
edge of the site as he led us around
all of the major features, filled us in
on what is known, suspected and ru-
TRAVERSE 50
moured about the legendary place.
My anticipation of visiting Machu
Picchu was not misplaced as the ex-
perience proved just as wonderous as
I had hoped it would be. How often
can you say that of an often longed
for and finally realised adventure?
No anticlimax here!
And I can say the same about the
Atacama to Machu Picchu (now “On
The Trail Of The Incas”) tour as well.
It over-delivered on many fronts
with the amazing riding, the seem-
ingly endless highlights, great food
and accommodation, professional
and ever-helpful crew and of course
the genial and amusing company of
like-minded friends.
My heart-felt thanks to all involved.
CJ
Craig is a regular traveller with Compass
Expeditions, a perk of working for the tour
operator. It provide him with a rare insight
into where he rides.