Today we took the train to Agua Calientes, the gateway into Machu Picchu. The train ride from Urubamba through the Sacred Valley was beautiful. We watched as dogs raced along with the slow moving train. We saw farmers working their fields. Ancient terraces could be seen on the hillsides. The train left the arid terrain behind and climbed into the cloudland forest full of trees and ferns. When we arrived in Agua Calientes, we walked straight through a crowded marketplace designed to catch all of the arriving visitors. The town is so small we quickly settled ourselves in the hotel and spent the day walking around in anticipation of our visit to Machu Picchu tomorrow.
One of the large signs greeting visitors to Machu Picchu
The view in the valley just below the mountain of Machu Picchu.