Machu Picchu, the dream of reaching the lost city of the Incas

I perfectly remember the moment I saw Machu Picchu for the first time.

For a few seconds I remained motionless, silently observing that ancestral city suspended between mountains and surrounded by fog.

I had imagined this moment for years, but reality surpassed any expectations.

I felt awe, excitement, and deep gratitude for being there.

In June 2024 I had the opportunity to visit Machu Picchu with my husband and friends, in an experience that I still consider today a very special moment for various reasons.

And not only because of the extraordinary beauty of the place, but also because it represented many things for me: the decision to encourage ourselves to continue pursuing dreams, confidence in our own abilities, the freedom to choose new paths and the permanent curiosity to discover the world.

Over the years I have learned that travel not only takes us to new destinations, but also reminds us of who we are and who we want to continue to be.

Arriving at Machu Picchu meant confirming something that I have always believed in: that we should never stop dreaming, that there is no age to embark on new adventures and that many times limits only exist until we dare to overcome them.

Because when you dare to take the first step, you discover that many more things are possible than you imagined.

And that trip was, precisely, a celebration of that way of understanding life.

The beginning of a dream adventure

Our tour began from Hidroeléctrica, from where we took the train to Aguas Calientes, also known as the town of Machu Picchu.

That journey was, in itself, an unforgettable experience.

The train advanced through an incredibly green jungle landscape, surrounded by immense mountains, rushing rivers and lush vegetation that seemed to envelop everything.

As we moved forward I felt like we were slowly approaching one of the most magical places on the planet.

There was something special about that tour: a mixture of anxiety, emotion and expectation that is difficult to explain, because Machu Picchu is not just a tourist destination, it is a dream shared by millions of people around the world.

Aguas Calientes: the prelude to the big moment

Upon arriving in Aguas Calientes I immediately felt a different energy, since the city has a very particular atmosphere.

It is surrounded by imposing mountains and lives completely connected to the experience of those who come there to visit Machu Picchu.

We had decided to arrive the day before to get the access tickets to the place and when we finally had them in our hands we felt enormous happiness.

The dream was beginning to come true.

We stayed in a hotel with my husband and our friends and took advantage of the rest of the afternoon to leisurely explore the streets of the city.

A city that brings together travelers from all over the world

Walking through Aguas Calientes is a very interesting experience.

One constantly comes across travelers from different countries, languages ​​and cultures, all united by the same goal: to know Machu Picchu.

There is a shared energy that is difficult to describe.

The city is full of restaurants, cafes, markets and shops where crafts and souvenirs inspired by the Inca culture are sold.

The aromas of local cuisine, the music that accompanies the walks and the constant movement of visitors turn the place into a fascinating international meeting point.

That night I almost couldn’t sleep because I knew that the next day I would finally see one of the most impressive places on the planet.

The climb towards the lost city

When dawn broke, a very exciting day began.

We take the bus that ascends the mountain road towards Machu Picchu.

The sharp curves, the vegetation covering the slopes, the fog appearing between the mountains and the feeling of being closer and closer generated enormous emotion.

Each meter of the climb seemed to increase the expectation, each curve seemed to bring us a little closer to that dream imagined so many times.

Until finally the time came.

The first encounter with Machu Picchu

The moment when one sees Machu Picchu for the first time is impossible to forget.

And honestly, no photograph can prepare you for that feeling.

It was absolutely shocking.

Seeing that ancient city suspended between mountains, surrounded by fog and embraced by nature produces an emotion that is difficult to contain.

I remained silent for several seconds simply observing.

I felt amazement, admiration, gratitude and also enormous happiness.

Because there are dreams that, when they are finally fulfilled, have the capacity to move us deeply.

The magic of an eternal civilization

Machu Picchu has something difficult to explain, it is not only the perfection of its constructions or the mystery that still surrounds the Inca civilization.

It is the energy of the place, the connection with nature, the silence of the mountains, the feeling of being in front of something extraordinary.

Everything seems to have a spiritual dimension.

Walking its paths, observing the agricultural terraces, contemplating the stone constructions and imagining how they lived there centuries ago generates a deeply moving experience.

Each corner invites you to stop, observe and reflect.

A place that is felt with the heart

There are places that are visited and others that feel like Machu Picchu.

Throughout the visit I experienced a constant mix of excitement and amazement as everywhere I looked, the landscape seemed impossible.

The green mountains surrounding the ancient city, the clouds slowly moving between the peaks and the silence that surrounds the place create an image that remains forever etched in memory.

While I was walking there I thought many times“I’m really here”, because after so much time imagining it, the time had finally come

And I think that was the most special thing of all, the feeling of having fulfilled a true dream.

A memory for life

Today I understand perfectly why Machu Picchu is considered one of the most extraordinary places in the world.

Not only because of its beauty or its immense historical value, but because it manages to awaken deep emotions in those who are fortunate enough to know it.

There are destinations that we admire, there are destinations that we enjoy and there are destinations that transform us and invite us to be grateful for how lucky we are.

As I contemplated that ancient city surrounded by mountains, I felt something that goes far beyond a simple trip. I felt gratitude for being there, for sharing that moment with the people I love and for continuing to have the curiosity and enthusiasm to discover new corners of the world.

Because traveling is not just about accumulating kilometers or photographs.

Traveling is also about growing, getting excited, learning and confirming that dreams are worth it.

And I am sure of one thing: many travel memories become blurred as the years go by, but the emotion I felt when seeing Machu Picchu for the first time will forever remain among the most intense, happy and unforgettable moments of my life.