We got up early and took one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes where we'd slept the night before. I recommend that, because you'll beat the trains full of tourists that arrive from Cusco in late morning. If you want to climb Huayna Picchu, that mountain behind the city, you have to get there early, because they limit the number of climbers to about 200 per day. That's where you'll get the amazing view. Not this one, but another one. This one is what you'll see when you get there at opening time at the main entrance. And if you're lucky that the morning clouds are hanging around Huayna Picchu and down into the valley below. Maybe the most breathtaking view we've had on our travels.
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I am grateful that I was able to be there ca. 1997 or so.
I was glad I got there when I was still able to climb Huayna Picchu, albeit in twice the time it took my kids.