Saw Machu Picchu today. I strongly believe it was better than Tikal. It’s not just the fact that a grand view awaits you everywhere you go in Machu Picchu at 9000 feet. It’s also because of the precise measurement of the stones, the meaning of so many different synbols in the ruins, combined with the majestic view of the surrounding mountains.
It started out at 6AM. I just walked out my hostal because they didn’t have a lock to my room anyway. Then waited for about an hour for the bus. The bus ride took about 90 minutes to get to the train station. The train station gets to Agua Caliente in about 90 more minutes. Then a 25 minute bus ride up to Macchu Pichu. All in all, I woke up at 6 for a visit to Macchu Pichu at 11 AM. Why it’s so difficult to get there, I don’t know. I suppose that’s all part of the adventure and all that, but the train ride sucked, and the tour itself only lasted about 3 hours.