Brenda's Bicycles

On November 2, 2014, I took on the role of tour guide for my dear friend Jeanette as we left Calca to spend two magical days exploring the wonderland of Machu Picchu.

This blog contains 153 photos documenting our magical adventure. It was my second time visiting these sacred ruins, so I limited my photos mostly to things I had never seen or done before. See my previous photo posts if you wish to see other parts of this special Inca sanctuary.

As usual, the photos in this post are thumbnail images. Please click on any photo to enlarge it. The thumbnails leave much to be desired as far as colors and resolution – plus the thumbnails clip all of the edges. I use thumbnails for the post itself, because it gives people an opportunity to get a summary glimpse without downloading huge amounts of data for the high-res photos.

CLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE TO HIGH RESOLUTION

Los Jardines De Mandor

Jeanette and I took two public minivans to first travel from Calca to Urubamba, and then from Urubamba to Ollantaytambo. We arrived in plenty of time to catch a quick breakfast before boarding our tourist train — the “vistadome” — that would take us winding along the river for the final two hour journey to Aguas Calientes. Once we checked in to our hostel, we set off on our first adventure – an afternoon exploring the valley at the base of Machu Picchu.

“The Gardens of Mandor” is a magical place that I stumbled upon during my previous visit to Machu Picchu. It is a beautiful piece of paradise nestled in the valley below the ruins. To get there, you must walk for about an hour (more or less depending on your fitness level) following train tracks that lead around the base of Huayna Picchu, which is the famous mountain seen in the background of most traditional photos of Machu Picchu.

This first group of 34 photos documents our magical hike.

After about a half hour on the main dirt road that buses use to get to the base of Machu Picchu mountain, we split off the road and began to follow the train tracks.

I was very surprised to look up at the top of the mountain (this image is full zoom) and notice that you can actually see the bottom edge of Machu Picchu way up high on the ridge above.

This is a picture of Huayna Picchu as seen from below. Again, this is the famous mountain behind Machu Picchu in all the photos. It looks very different from this angle. In June when I was here, I had no idea what I was looking at.

Another view of Huayna Picchu as seen from the train tracks below. Our destination is around on the back side of this mountain.

We walked along these train tracks. It is a gorgeous hike.

A cute little butterfly says hello.

Another bottoms-up view of Huayna Picchu. You can barely see the edge of Machu Picchu along the left end of the lower ridge.

Beautiful foliage along the trail.

As we keep walking around the base, this is Huayna Picchu from a different angle.

After walking for more than an hour in occasional misty rain, we finally arrived at the entrance. There are no roads that lead here.

The top of the sign reads “Welcome to the Gardens of Mandor. A conservation project of wild habitat.” The rest of the sign has English translations on the right side.

As we begin to walk into Mandor, this is a glance back at the mountains across the valley. Huayna Picchu is on the left, not seen in this photo.

Looking toward the mountains up the trail on which we are hiking.

The trail is lined with gorgeous flowers …

… and trees. This area is on the upper end of the Amazon rainforest, and is kind of a buffer zone between the jungle and the mountains.

Crossing the stream. A waterfall feeds it from above.

More of the stream.

And more flowers.

The back side of Huayna Picchu as seen from the trail.

Machu Picchu is on the other side of this mountain now. When I was there the first time, I hiked from Machu Picchu to the top of this mountain, and then spent an extra two hours hiking the long way back, which led down this back side of the mountain, along those cliffs, back around to the right, and then back up into Machu Picchu.

With my friend Jeanette.

After more than thirty minutes, we finally reached the first waterfall. It is tall and thin, but gorgeous in person.

Perhaps twenty minutes later, we reached the main falls. It is breathtaking and tropical – yet very cold when you get down below where the mist is spraying. If you look at the large rocks, they are all very wet from the mist.

Another image of the same.

Jeanette, posing near the falls.

And another with the falls showing.

Me, hiking down the steps to get closer.

Me, posing near the base of the falls.

And me, stumbling around the large, wet boulders.

The lighting is not so good … Jeanette and I along the trail.

Slightly better … click on the image if you want to see my whole face.

A view hiking back down the trail.

Same as previous photo, only zoomed in.

Beautiful flowers. I believe they are “Birds of Paradise”.

More floral magic.

Jeanette, posing with the young man who guards the entrance to the trail (and who charges 10 soles each to use it) (10 soles is about $3.50 US).

Hiking back toward Aguas Calientes.

Machu Picchu Day 1

After the exhausting hike, a so-so dinner, and a sketchy sleep, interrupted by train noises, Jeanette and I got up at 4:30 a.m., and at 5:15 a.m. we were in line to catch a bus to the top of Machu Picchu. We arrived at the top at just before 6:00 a.m..

This is the first photo I took. As we walked into the park it was misty and foggy, and I just happened to see this magical spider web. The lighting was perfect to capture the special effects.

I wasn’t going to take a lot more photos from this vantage point, but when I saw the view and the way the magical mystical clouds enhanced the perfect lighting of a rising sun, I couldn’t resist.

Another incredible image that captures the energy of the experience.

I liked this one so much that I used it as my Facebook cover photo.

Almost the same, and just as magical.

I literally love the cloud effects…

As we eventually headed down to the main Inca Gate, the fog was again closing in, and the sun was just waiting to surprise us from above. We were not at all prepared for what happened next. It was magic, magic, magic.

Suddenly, I looked down to my left, in the foggy valley below. The sun was directly behind me, just beginning to radiate from above.

I could not believe what I was seeing. It was a circular rainbow, with my own personal shadow right in the middle. When I moved my arms, I could see them move in the shadow.

Jeanette was just above me on a ledge, amazed by her own experience of her very own personal circular rainbow with shadow.

It was the perfect optical setup, and each one of us could only see our own version of the rainbow and shadow.

Zooming in a bit, you can see more details. If you click on the image to see a high-definition image, you can see the colors a little better, and even see my arms in the shadow.

And with a full zoom, this is what I got. It was so much more incredible to actually be there. I used this one as a Facebook profile photo.

Looking over to the right side, the sun rising over the mountains to the east gave this incredible lighting effects.

This little bug was gorgeous in the morning light.

More of the magic with the morning sun, the shadows, and the clouds.

Looking back up toward the caretaker’s hut at the top.

Same photo with a little zoom.

Looking toward the main part of the ruins with Huayna Picchu in the background. The fog still fills the valley to the left.

Zoomed in from the same spot, capturing the ruins and the shorter mountain to the left.

Later, after the fog cleared … Jeanette looking into the valley below … the same place where the rainbows were earlier.

Huayna Picchu as seen from above.

From the Huayna Picchu side of the ruins, looking back at Machu Picchu Mountain, and the caretaker’s hut.

As the sun got hotter, we took a meditation break to enjoy the shade and magical views.

I handed my camera to Jeanette.

Looking up at Huayna Picchu, pondering my hike to the top last June. It looks very different from how it looks when seen from the valley floor.

The trail in the middle leads back to the main entrance.

Not everyone is prepared for hiking at this altitude. I was surprised to see an emergency crew carrying someone down on a stretcher.

A Dartura tree, like the one in my back yard. The sign on the tree gives the local names. The first name is the same as the one my landlord told me. The sign is tiny, and barely visible in this thumbnail image, but it lists names as “Floripondio Candido”, “Campacho Rosado” and “Brugniansia Candida”. This is a very magical plant that can be quite dangerous if used improperly.

Jeanette, sitting on a tiny rock protruding from the wall.

We hiked above the caretaker’s hut and found a beautiful grassy spot, with shade, from where we could meditate and enjoy the energy of this majestic sanctuary.

Jeanette already has her shoes off, enjoying the magical view.

A little orange orchid sticks up over the wall where I am sitting.

She actually had a cell phone signal up here.

A little hawk kept flying around. I managed to get an incredibly clear focus on it with this photo. You need to click on the photo if you want to see it better.

A beautiful view.

A different perspective on our little resting place.

Later, we hiked to the Inca Bridge. I took lots of photos on my previous visit, so did not take many this time. The lower-left part of the photo catches the very treacherous rock bridge that leads to a trail that traverses this cliff. The trail and bridge are closed now.

A closeup of the Inca Bridge.

A lizard guarding the trail.

After the hike, we returned to our magical resting spot.

Looking down the mountain on the left (west) side of the ruins, I zoomed in completely to see what was happening down there, and you can see a man standing at the entrance to a small cave.

Suddenly, Jeanette and I saw a herd of Alpaca (Llamas?) heading right for us. Our presence did not deter them. They came right up and walked all around, looking for something good to eat. I am guessing that tourists may have given them food in the past.

This one turned a hind side to my face (just a foot away) as he foraged in the grass.

This one came between us and I got a photo of Jeanette beneath its legs.

And another closeup. She is taking a photo of me taking a photo of her.

These guys gave us no privacy at all. He is getting up close and personal.

I think he wants a kiss.

Jeanette took this one of me with her camera. We were surrounded by our new friends.

And another with Jeanette’s camera. I love my smile in this one. We were both just giggling.

Jeanette taking a photo of me taking a photo of her (one from earlier).

And another one that I really love.

Me, with more new friends.

And another.

Not sure what I was doing with my hat, but I love the photo.

And another.

A magical view with beautiful colors.

More of the beautiful orange flowers.

A look at the terraces below where we were sitting.

This one is a unique view of the terraces below the Caretaker’s hut. That is Machu Picchu Mountain in the background. We will hike part way up that mountain tomorrow.

Our friend the hawk came back for another magical photo op (with full zoom).

With the sun now disappearing to the west, a view of the main part of the ruins with Huayna Picchu in the background.

And a view of Huayna Picchu with the lower part of the ruins on the eastern side. We are now on our way back to the main gate, feeling tired and hungry.

Eating an early dinner in Aguas Calientes.

Machu Picchu Day 2

Early on November 4, 2014, we repeated our morning ritual and were again at the bus stop just after 5:15 a.m., and again inside the Machu Picchu ruins by 6:00 a.m..

It was much more foggy today, and we had a strong desire to hike up to the Sun Gate (IntiPunku), so we began hiking with full trust that the fog would clear. It briefly parted for a few minutes as we took these early photos looking back down the trail toward the ruins.

We found an awesome rock ledge for a short break.

Another awesome zoomed-in view from far above.

No zoom … me with Machu Picchu nestled in by clouds, far below.

Jeanette, enjoying a breather … she is a hiker in Utah, but was fully unprepared for the low oxygen effects at this high altitude.

The clouds moved back in as we continued up the trail.

A brief clearing in the clouds gave us a birds-eye view of the valley leading back to Aguas Calientes.

More of the valley looking toward Machu Picchu. You can barely see a bit of the ruins just below the clouds. And you can see the zig-zagging road going up the mountain just above the trail in the foreground.

When we reached the top, we both sat up there on the terraces in the far back. You can barely see Jeanette still up there in her green sweater. We were both exhausted. I had no idea that the hike was all the way to the top of the ridge. I thought it was only part way up.

I zoomed in to get Jeanette up there on the highest terrace.

The Quechua name for “Sun Gate” is Intipunku.

This is looking back down the trail that we just climbed. Machu Picchu is way down there in the thick fog, completely invisible right now.

Part of the fort-like structure up here at the Sun Gate. On the other side of this structure is a beautiful view of the valley to the south. I’m not sure, but I believe that on the equinox, the sun first shines on Machu Picchu through this low spot in the ridge above.

Another photo with Jeanette still enjoying the terrace above.

The steps leading up there don’t look all that scary, but they are very steep and narrow, with no hand rails. It is much different being there in person.

Jeanette took this photo of me while she sat on the terrace above. I am the one in the lower left center, with my arms outstretched in a wide “V”, wearing a grey sweatshirt and purple blouse.

Many of the people we talked to up on top were tired of waiting for the fog to clear, and actually left because they had other places to be. I just knew it would clear … and soon it began to do just that. Finally, at 8:15 a.m., we can see the road leading up the  mountain to Machu Picchu, but not quite the ruins themselves.

A few seconds later, you can start to see the ruins (the lighter colored portion, upper center).

A zoomed in photo of the same. You have to enlarge the photo to see any detail.

And finally, we can see part of the trail leading back down to the valley.

Meanwhile, looking at the valley on the other side of the mountain (the sun gate is on a ridge), you can see a lot further.

And another without the foreground structures.

Yeah … at 8:26 a.m. the fog is really beginning to lift, giving glimpses of the gorgeous ruins far below. This photo has some zoom.

This photo is without zoom, and if you look closely you can see that white area in the middle — that is the ruins.

With the fog still partially clouding the view, I started playing with various foregrounds — feeling a little artistic.

A beautiful photo (with fog) of Huayna Picchu mountain towering over Machu Picchu (left center) … enlarge the photo for better visibility.

Half way up the trail is this small set of ruins. This photo is taken with a large zoom. When we started hiking from below, I thought this was the Sun Gate.

This photo is taken from the same angle, without the zoom.

Another beautiful view of the ruins and Huayna Picchu, with a little less haziness.

Looking from the trail toward the valley below.

A gorgeous little mushroom alongside the trail.

And a magical-looking plant.

We take a rest at the structure below (the one from previous photos that is about half-way back down the mountain).

If you see the little peak left of middle, then the “v-like” notch before the mountain goes up higher to the right, the “Sun Gate” is at the bottom of that “v-like notch”.

A zoomed-in photo of the same.

As rays of sun begin to reach the ruins, I captured another beautiful image of the ruins below.

And for my friend Susan, a heart-shaped rock on the trail. (Susan, please tell me if you see this).

Looking down the valley toward Aguas Calientes far below.

The trail leading down the mountain. It was very well maintained.

When I bought our tickets in Cusco, I paid a few dollars extra for the right to be part of the group allowed to climb the taller Machu Picchu Mountain to the south of the ruins.

Jeanette and I were exhausted, but after we got back down to the ruins, we decided to give it a try.

The trail back up this other mountain was well maintained, but very steep, and we had to frequently stop to take deep breaths.

Jeanette, pausing below me.

In this one, you can see the peak of Huayna Picchu in the background.

An absolutely gorgeous view of Machu Picchu below.

Another view of the ruins below from a different perspective. We are getting quite high here. In fact, If I remember right, Jeanette stopped a few hundred feet down the trail where there was a nice view. I kept going for fifteen minutes by myself just to scout out the views. I too decided to turn around. I was so exhausted and could hardly breathe.

A gorgeous zoomed-in view of Huayna Picchu. I cannot believe I climbed that left face back in June … and then back down the right rear, around the back, and back up the lower left side.

Zoomed-in view looking back at the caretaker’s hut (bottom right) and a little more of the ruins below.

Zoomed-in view of the lower ruins on the eastern side.

Zoomed-in view of the southern side of the ruins, with the beginning of the Huayna Picchu trail going off into the upper right corner.

No zoom here. The previous several photos were taken from here. This is where Jeanette stopped to rest, and exactly how I found her when I returned. That lighter colored area just up and right of center is Machu Picchu.

Another gorgeous view of the ruins below as we are walking back down the mountain. We stopped about half way up Machu Picchu Mountain.

And another beautiful view of the ruins below. You have to enlarge to get a real perspective. It is still a little hazy too.

And another, a little closer.

With full zoom, I spotted this little cell-phone tower on a nearby hill.

As we finally reached the check point that guards the entrance to the trail (down near the bottom) I grabbed my camera to get a quick photo of our names. I signed slot number 73 and Jeanette signed slot number 74 … Fun to get this photo.

We were so exhausted by this point that we could hardly stand up or even move our feet.

As we leave the trail behind, we step out to a beautiful grassy meadow. That is the caretaker’s hut in the left-center foreground … and of course Huana Picchu, in all its glory, behind on the right side.

And finally, we are back at our favorite view area (resting site), enjoying a chance to take our shoes off while recovering.

This photo (with lots of zoom) is looking back at the “v” where the Sun Gate is located.

And this one is looking up at the Machu Picchu Mountain. We made it about half way up to the top.

Later that evening, back in Aguas Calientes, we were blessed with a magical view of the rising full moon.

And it was beautiful.

Returning Home

Early on November 5, 2014, we caught a return train that took us back to Ollantambo. We explored for a few minutes, but were so tired we decided to move quickly back to Calca, repeating our earlier journey with two mini-van “collectivos”, one to Urubamba and one the rest of the way to Calca.

As I searched Jeanette’s photos, I found this one photo that she took on that morning, near the Inca ruins in Ollantaytambo. I love it so much that I decided to post it as well. You have to click on the thumbnail image to see my face. I actually have my hair combed LOL. I stopped wearing makeup long ago, and never carry a brush with me on windy days.

This concludes the photos my my trip to Machu Picchu with Jeanette. I hope you enjoyed them.

Copyright © 2015 by Brenda Larsen, All Rights Reserved