There are many ways to machu picchu

There are many ways to Machu Picchu

Getting tickets to Machu Picchu is not as simple as it sounds. Small tourist shops are everywhere selling tickets for adventure trips, treks, guided tours, you name it. They all have a “flexible” price. We decided to go by bus but ended up in a really clandestine deal where we had a luxury mini bus and guided tour just to ourselves all for the regular price of a bus. We didn’t necessarily want this but its what we ended up with! How does that work?

We were to meet around the corner from the hotel and away from the tourist shop…. And….not to tell ANYONE about this!

So next morning at 5.45 am we were surprised to be met at the appointed spot and our luggage quickly stored in the bus by a charming driver. He alarmed us by taking a small road to nowhere where the woman who had sold us the ticket suddenly leapt out smiling furiously… a quick chatter in Spanish and off we went. Immediately he started the “add on” spiel. Before you leave would you like a “special” tour of Cusco… on the way would you like… and so on! No, no no we said. Suddenly he pulled up and a woman got in the back of the car… who was she? Lots of chatter and then we found out she was his daughter and he was giving her a lift and YES she could give us a tour of Cusco!

We dropped her off and off we went winding our way through mountain passes to the Sacred Valley! Our guy was really helpful, but we always had the vague feeling that we were going to end up at a cousin’s house who just had something to sell to us!

Of course there were a number of markets to stop at on the way! (Click each photo to enlarge)

Our first view of the Sacred Valley was fantastic! Luckily it was not raining…. We had heard so many stories of people wading through knee deep mud that we had postponed our walking trip and decided to get the train from Ollantaytambo… it the light of the landslides a brilliant decision.