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A Sneak Peek

I had heard from some other travelers about a hike outside of Aguas Calientes that allowed you to sneak a peak at Macchu Picchu from across the valley.  The Lonely Planet only had a couple of lines about it, so we probably would not have gone in search of it if the other travelers hadn't told me about it. 

The entrance to the trail is outside of town and hard to see with the jungle foliage around.  After searching around town, we finally found the trail head to Putucasi mountain.  This is the mountain directly across the valley from Macchu Picchu.  From this vantage point, you can look down on Macchu Picchu.

The trail immediately started to climb up the mountain.  And I do mean climb!  You needed to be half billy goat for some of it!  We went through the high jungle via rock steps and 7 wooden ladders (one with 110 rungs) that went straight up.  The jungle opened up to a scrub brush climate zone with spectacular views of the surrounding Andeas and the river valley of the Rio Urubamba.  It was a bit nerve wrecking to have the steep drop offs all around you!  You definitely don't want to be afraid of heights up here, nor in poor physical shape!  Maybe that's why Lonely Planet only gave it 2 lines?!

After 1.5 hours, we got to the top of the mountain - greeted by the Peruvian flag and a couple of other tourists who braved the hike.  As we came around a huge boulder, we were confronted with an incredible view of Macchu Picchu sparkling in the full sun!  It looked like a child's clay model of an ancient city.  The aching legs and feet no longer mattered, for this was a spectacular view!  This was just the preview for the next day when we went through the gates and experienced Macchu Picchu itself. 

At the top, we met a couple of guys from Aspen as well as a group from Belgium and a girl from the UK!  Jason (one of the Aspen guys) gave Bill his walking stick, so it would be easier for him to descend.  That stick was a life saver with the steep decline.  We made it down exhausted but safe!  The hot springs felt good after that!

We asked some of the Macchu Picchu guides if that trail was comparable to the Inca Trail - luckily, they said it was worse than the Inca Trail.  I could not imagine trying to hike 4 days straight on trails like that!

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