This morning we skipped the main ruins at Ollantaytambo, visiting the “free ones” on the mountain next door, meeting and chatting with a friendly local on the way up. After a final tour of the fascinating Inca village below, we were back amongst our gringo brethren, setting off on the tourist train to Aguas Calientes.
Ollanta's living Inca Village
Quechan folk in Ollanta village
Climbing the "free ruins" at Ollanta
Despite the cheesy pan-pipe music, we were engulfed in the staggering, lush mountainous environment of the Sacred Valley, viewed through train windows specially mounted in the roof so we could see the tops of the mountains.
Aguas Calientes is the closest town to Machu Picchu itself, lying at the base across the river and with a steep hill to ascend. Being next to South America’s greatest attraction, it is naturally a tourist-oriented town, but a comfortable enough place to stay.
We wandered around in the rain until we stumbled across a pleasant hotel hung with dubious, fantasy-inspired art, run by a hippy couple with a jewellery shop next door; bed beckoned as we had a very early start if we were to see Machu Picchu at dawn the next day.
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