Machu Picchu a Decade Later
This article may contain affiliate links where I make a small commission for purchases you make from links that you click from this article. By purchasing through these links, you support me at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support.
I’m in the same place a decade later, sitting on the terraces of Machu Picchu. The scenery has the same awe-inspiring feel. And once again, for the second time, I am left wondering, ‘How did the Incas do that?’ as I gaze upon the stone architecture. There is a constant din of noise filling the background; a baby cries, a guard’s whistle blows, and rules are yelled in Spanish. It’s the progress of tourism in the last 10 years. A decade brings many changes: changes in me and changes in Machu Picchu.
The UNESCO World Heritage site has thousands more visitors and a number of new restrictions. It’s open much earlier so that more people can have access to the site. The tree in the middle of the ruins is definitely taller. Tourists follow llamas around, trying to get the perfect Instagram shot. All of the terraces used to be open to wander, but now there is just ¼ of one terrace open to the public. It’s where I sit as I contemplate these thoughts. It’s where I sat 10 years ago and contemplated the thoughts of leaving my job to travel around the world.
This time, I have my niece in tow, and she vacillates from being in awe of the ancient site and then simply wanting to go back to town and have french fries. Last time I had a point and shoot camera, but this time I have proper equipment and I am eager to take pictures. However, it is a challenge to shoot around 2500 visitors. Our guide talks, but I don’t really hear anything he says. I’m too busy plotting the next photo and watching the light spread across the ancient site.
Visit Peru’s Mountains, Machu Picchu, & Amazon
Megan and I took the Intrepid Inca Trail and Amazon Trip. Read about the full Inca Trail and Amazon itinerary and learn more about the alternative Quarry Trail here.
Disclosure: I was a guest of Intrepid Travel as part of the Niece Project, however all opinions expressed here are my own.
- The Niece Project
- Seeing Rome Through New Eyes
- For an Immersive Local Experience Try a Rome Food Tour
- Getting the Most Out of a Vatican Museum Visit
- Rome Travel Tips: Skip Lines, Get Around, Eat Like a Local
- Put These Three Stops on your Amalfi Coast, Italy Itinerary
- How to Eat Pizza Like an Italian
- The Next Niece – Destination Unknown
- Evie’s Decision
- Modern Family
- Are we There Yet?
- Assuming Responsibility
- Finding our Stride in Hanoi
- What to Expect in Halong Bay
- Local Experiences Along the Tourist Trail in Hue
- Taking the High Road Hai Van Pass
- Hunting for Photos in Hoi An
- Saigon Unseen
- The Incredible Edible Egg Embryo Hot Vit Lon
- Saigon Street Food
- How to be a Good First Time Traveler
- The Niece Project Version 3.0
- Bumpy Beginnings Niece Project 3.0
- How to travel with other people’s kids
- New Perspectives in the Sacred Valley
- Into Thin Air with a Teenager
- Inca Trail Alternate Route
- Machu Picchu a Decade Later
- It’s a Jungle Out There
- A Teenager’s View of Peru
- Building Homes in Las Laderas Peru
- Project Peru
- Feeding the Masses in Puente Piedra
- Niece Project 4.0 The Decision
- Week In-stagram Review Belize
- Welcome to the Belize Jungle
- How To Be First In the ATM Cave Belize
- Taking Flight in Belize
- 3 Ways to Explore Belize Caves
- Under the Sea in Belize
- Exploring Firsts in Placencia Belize
- Niece Project 5.0 Travel Decisions
- New Zealand In-stagram Review
- Getting To New Zealand: Niece Project 5.0
- What the Niece Project Taught me About Traveling With Teenagers
- Why I Love to Take Teenagers on Small Group Tours
- Taking the Leap into Fear
- Flying Tips on How to Deal with Long Flights
- The Last Niece Project Goes To…
- An Aunt, a Niece, and India
- How to Spend a Day Like a Local in Jaipur
- My 6 Favorite Experiences in Rajasthan India
- Experiencing India As a Teenager
- Too Scared to Travel To India? I Have a Solution…
- The End of the Niece Project
Gorgeous photos!
http://familyfocusblog.com
It’s crazy how much the rules have changed. I went to Machu Picchu 3 years ago and hearing people talk who went recently, they can’t do nearly as much as I did. Thank god I decided to take about 500 pictures that day!
You took some great pictures in spite of the crowds!
Awww – thanks! It takes some creative angels at times!
Stunning as always! I already wanted to visit MP, but now I want to go even more!
I hope you make it there some day! I was super lucky to get to get twice!
That Llama is hilarious and Megan is a good sport. Fun times and glad and you got the chance to go back
These are gorgeous photos! I love the one of the llama close up! Thanks for sharing!
UUGGGHHH so amazing! Peru has always been on the bucket list, but now its moving up to the need to go there RIGHT NOW list !
You have some truly beautiful shots here (and some great candid ones; I love the curious llama!) of an incredible place that I was fortunate enough to visit at the beginning of June last year. I totally agree that it’s so difficult to shoot around 2500 people, and of the hundreds of photos I took I’ve probably only got 20 I’m truly happy with. Like you though, we were so lucky with the weather and for that I’m very grateful 🙂
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the photography!
This looks absolutely amazing and such a great piece of art.Machu picchu can amaze every traveler. Would you recommend to bring the warm hiking gear? Or is this something you could rent there?
I don’t believe you can rent it – and yes you will definitely need layer of gear to stay warm – but mostly you’ll need rain gear to stay dry too!
A very nice blog for a very nice place.I am just speechless, what a great blog post!! (Y)
I am hiking up to Machu Picchu after few months and I can’t wait. I am spending a few days in Cusco before. Any tips or ideas for other fun things to do around there?
Just get out and walk around the main square – there’s always a festival or parade going on! Also try to get to the indoor shopping market – it’s lovely and fun to negotiate with the locals!