06:40 the train left for Aguas Cailentes. It took 1,5 hours to get there and from there another half hour by bus over a dirt road with numerous hairpins to finally arrive on top  at the entrance to Machu Picchu.

What a magnificent sight!!!! The weather at first was cloudy, but literally within minutes it cleared up and the sun came out. The next few hours were simply amazing. Despite the presence of a huge crowd, there was enough opportunity to see everything, except for the higher parts. To see those one needs a separate ticket that you can only buy at least 2 weeks in advance.

I met up with the 2 Americans and afterwards we had lunch in Aguas Cailentes. This is also a nice little place, and also fully designated to tourism. Ken decided he wanted to try guinea pig for lunch. He did eat it, but apparently there wasn’t much meat on it.

My train back left at 14:00 and by then it was raining hard again. We were so lucky with the sun at Machu Picchu. I was back at Ollontaytambo around 15:30. Time to check oil on the bike and get my gear sorted out for tomorrow.
We discussed the route today, and Ken and Ben don’t mind if I ride along. We’ll see if I can keep up. If weather allows it we’ll camp out tomorrow night.
Actually, they don’t let the weather decide, but I didn’t bring all my camping gear, so I will decide when it comes to that.

Since we may be camping there won’t be an opportunity for updates for at least a couple of days.
My apologies ……