Machu Pichu #2

Up bright and early for the sunrise hike to the Sun Dial. It wasn’t dark. The sunrise we were looking for was the sun just coming over the mountains. Off we went. This was little higher than yesterday’s walk. But we we went slowly. Lots of huffing and puffing even at slow speeds. Only three of us and the Tour Guide, so we could move along.
We got up there in time. Some people find Machu Pichu to be the center of the world, as they do spots in Nepal or Sedona, Arizona. A few people who got there before we did were posed and ready for the sun. I had to remind Brett to be very quiet. It was a very contemplative site, being on top of a mountain, and seeing first the rays of the sun, and then the whole sun come up over the peaks. Our guide told us that the other primary sites for viewing the sunrise can be a little noisy, crowded or boisterous, so it was a good choice to come to the quiet spot. There were maybe 10 people at the Sun Dial.
After breakfast we went on the REAL hike, up to the Sun Gate. This was a 4 mile round trip hike, with a 2,000 gain in elevation. Huffing and puffing does not exactly explain it adequately, especially when the starting point is 7,000. Plus, some of the rocky “steps” are 18-24 inches. ARGH. Again, it was an incredible view. We were ABOVE some of the peaks and the ruins!! Insane.
Leaving Machu Pichu in the afternoon, back on the train to Cusco.
Adios!!