3420m
We wanted to get an early start as we were due to climb Machu Picchu Mountain. This was always going to a bit of a squeeze as we really should have arrived at the site around 7am. Machu Picchu works on the basis of timed tickets. You can arrive at the archaeological site any time at or after your appointed time. Our ticket had 7am printed on it. Unfortunately, we had to check out first which meant fitting the clothes of Fran and Charlie into mine. Then pay any outstanding bills. Then get the bus, only one of the passengers couldn’t find his ticket so we had to wait until he eventually found it in amongst a pile of other tickets.
Again we had the palaver of getting past the gatekeeper, which we did, asking if this was the correct gate for Machu Picchu Mountain. “Yes,” he stated and we marched through looking for signs to the check in box. No signs. Asked one of the workers. “Sorry, wrong gate.” By now it was getting close to our 9am deadline; if we arrived any time after this we would not be granted entry. We hurried off to the other entrance and after once again being assured it was the correct gate, we rushed through. By now it was 8:46 and we seriously needed to rush. Fran and I set off quickly but unfortunately Charlie got caught in the middle of a slow moving tour group. 8:48am. Fran and I had a quick chat about having at least one of us getting to the entry post prior to 9am and state that the others were on their way. Fran got there at 8:54 and I arrived at 8:56. We were allowed in. Charlie turned up at 8:58 and then proceeded again to snap at me for leaving him behind. No thought of asking for an explanation or even thinking that we might have had a reason for quickly racing. I put up with the first attack back in Sucre for Fran, not the second. Fran did explain the reason for racing off and his only response was, “I can kind of see your point.” No apology presented for his outburst.
The hike up the mountain was mostly done in silence, and it was a hike. It is a longer route and 300m higher than Huyana Picchu. The steps kept coming and coming, and it was a 2 hour slog to reach the top. The overall view of the scenery was awesome, however I think you get better photos from Huyana. It was also a very quiet descent.
We made it back to Machu Picchu Pueblo in time for a late lunch as the train would leave just after 4pm. My piece of luggage from the hotel with everyone’s clothes in it would meet us there. We took our time over lunch and arrived just before the luggage.
The train was not what I was expecting, far more basic, but it was only a 90 min trip. However, arriving back in Ollantaytambo meant another 90 min drive so we got back to our hotel around 8pm. No one went to dinner.