I ‘did’ Macchu Picchu back in the 70’s and can assure you the terrain IS terrifying .. every step of the way. The flight into Cuzco is like a corkscrew, flying sideways in continuing spirals within a limited radius among the Andes moutains. Watching a take off puts your heart in your mouth. The railroad (however charming) between Cuzco and Macchu Picchu at points seems about to go over a cliff, and the final journey from the train station to the ruins is a back and forth, zig zag, cut into the mountain road just wide enough for the shuttles to get you there. There is no room for error anywhere along the line.
Fascinating as it was, I can guarantee it felt good to get back to Lima and terra firma.
You were there in the 70?.....30 years ago?. I was there in early 70 too then again two times in early 1990 and in early the 2000. Things change from the 70 to the 90 to the 2000 for the better. I would go back as soon as I can afforted. Never go there on the raining season. The locals say that there is only two seasons in Cuzco, the raining seasons and non raining seasons.
Much as I’d love to go to Machu Picchu I don’t think I could do that plane flight, let alone the train and climb. I am white knuckling it on a straight flight from Arizona to New York on a sunny windless day. In other words, I’m a chicken.
But what a beautiful, mysterious exotic trip you must’ve had and I can well imagine the view from the top with those gorgeous misty clouds on the mountains around you and all the green.
How those ancient peoples ever got up there, built the place and LIVED through the rainy seasons I’ll never know.
This is on my to do list before I die and wanted to go this year..but looks like I may have to put it off a year due to this flood. Was the washed out train track at the end of the video that one that goes to Cuzco?