Years ago, when I was starting out life as an early teen, I heard about Machu Picchu on a TV show. One of my favourite characters was a very rebellious girl that used to say she really wanted to just leave everything behind and go see Machu Picchu.

As any teenager, I was impressed and I remember just thinking “I bet that place must be awesome!” because she wanted to go there. So I looked it up at school and it seemed really cool indeed, so I decided that I really had to earn a lot of money in life to see a wonder like this with my own eyes. After this, it just went to the back of my mind and stayed there for years as some dream.

Well, the money part is not true! I mean is not the cheapest place to visit, but you don’t need to be a millionaire. All the rest was not only true, but it was even better than I thought.

I finally got my opportunity to see Machu Picchu at 27 when I decided to say “f*ck it” and come to South America.

While looking into it, I discovered the Inka trail and it was a no brainer. I wanted to go on the 4-day hike to Machu Picchu! I mean seeing it was non negotiable for me, so why not do it in the best way possible? Turns out you need to book it waaaaay in advance and we couldn’t commit like that due to the nature of our trip.

Fortunately there is a solution between the 4-day hike and a day trip: the 2-day hike! And you don’t need to book so early. Our obvious solution!!

The day finally came and we went on the hike. The hike itself is more than beautiful, everywhere you look makes you want to pinch yourself because it doesn’t look real. But nothing beats arriving at the sun gate and seeing Machu Picchu from above, under the warmth of the afternoon sun and surrounded by the mighty Andes mountains. No picture or video can do justice to what you see up there, I will never forget it.

After that, we got to see it from the terraces and on the day after you get to see it from the inside while you learn all about its history. An incredible journey, but that first look is what will remain with me forever. Machu Picchu from above and its immense surroundings is a sight everyone should see at least once in their life time.

Another check from the bucket list and our journey through South America just keeps getting better and better!

XOXO,

Barbara