ALL M&I

From our hotel in Urubamba (after a “blessing”) we coached to Ollantaytambo then took the train to Aquas Calientes which is the town immediately below Machu Picchu – the train isn’t quick but does offer some great views (including a snow-capped mountain!):

From the train station we switched to a bus that took us up a VERY winding road to reach Machu Picchu, along with hundreds of other people! Unexpectedly Margaret and I got split from the rest of the group and sent on “circuit 1” which is a high overview requiring us to climb many steps (hard work in the high altitude) … we did get some good overviews though:

After visiting Ollantaytambo we returned to the hotel and then half the group headed out to see Hummingbirds at Santuario de colibríes; there were a number of different birds visiting feeders some 10 to 50 feet away but I’d brought my high-zoom camera so got lots of great close-ups!

I also recorded some video shots, including one where the biggest hummingbird visited the feeder:

After the rafting we headed into Ollantaytambo to visit the ruins which are an impressive array of terraces topped with an (incomplete) temple … we chose to tour only the base (altitude had an effect on climbing abilities!) but it’s impressive even from the base: