The heart of Peru - Day 3-5 from Cusco to Machu Picchu

Arriving in Cusco, we spent most of day 3 on a bus and on day 4 we headed to Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo.

This place only exists because of Machu Picchu and is mostly filled with hotels, restaurants, and shops. To reach Aguas Calientes from Cusco, you take a train that leisurely travels through the valley until it reaches the town just below Machu Picchu.

The name Aguas Calientes comes from the hot thermal baths that are filled with mineral-rich water from the surrounding rocks.

After a day in the streets of Aguas Calientes and a soak in the thermal baths, we finally visited the heart of Peru on day 5 of our trip: Machu Picchu.

While hiking up to the Sun Gate, we witnessed the beauty of the surrounding mountain landscape and the artistry of the houses built by the Incas.

There are many other noteworthy places around Machu Picchu, such as the Sun Gate and the Inca Bridge.

And the animal residents of the ruins also delight visitors:

Despite the rainy season, we were lucky enough to capture beautiful shots in the sunshine. Occasionally, clouds would quickly roll in and obscure the entire mountain landscape, only to clear up moments later.

Anyone who has climbed up to Machu Picchu can only admire the architecture and beauty sense of the Incas. They couldn't have chosen a more beautiful location to build their houses!