This past November, I made it to one of the wonders of the world, Machu Picchu! Here is how I got there.
Behind the Scenes Video
First, I booked a tour with Latin Escapes Tours (highly recommended tour group) and flew from Lima to Cusco, the gateway city to Machu Picchu. Cusco literally takes your breath away - it sits high in the mountains and is awe inspiring. At an elevation of over 10,000 feet high, it felt like I was breathing through a straw and I had to take a day to acclimatize. One of the best remedies for elevation is the local herbal drink - coca tea. The next day, I boarded the PeruRail train which took about three hours and crossed through the scenic Urubamba River Valley. The scenery changed multiple times from corn fields, to river rapids, to cloud forest, and finally the towering Andes Mountains. The train was perfect for photographers as it had a domed glass ceiling and tall windows. During the ride, they served snacks and drinks, which I got another local drink, this time the corn-based chicha morada. At last, I reached Aguas Calientes, the village at the base of Machu Picchu. This was where I boarded the fifteen minute bus ride to get to the top of Machu Picchu. The other option was to trek the Inca Trail, which is a rewarding hike but takes much longer and requires a permit. At the top, we found a restaurant as well as a coat check where I stored my bags in preparation for the mountain climb. It was time to enter Machu Picchu! At this point, I was about 8,500 feet high and every step felt like I was taking twenty steps. The weather in Machu Picchu was hard to predict (it could be anywhere from a humid 80 degrees, to a rainy 50 degrees in November), so I brought layers and active-wear clothing. Make sure to check out our recommended items to pack in the Travel Kit below! Photo Stop #1: House of the Guardians Next I climbed up the mountain where I reached a few viewpoints that offered the best photos of Machu Picchu. The first photo stop was at "The House of the Guardians" near the entrance to Machu Picchu (see map below). I stopped there for the famous aerial Machu Picchu shot with the river on either side. Photo Stop #2: Llamas I crossed through the Incan city gate into the ancient site. There were llamas roaming freely on the other side of Machu Picchu near the "Main Square". This made for an excellent photo shoot. Photo Stop #3: Huyana Picchu From there, you can find the entrance to Huayna Picchu, the tall steep mountain on the other side of Machu Picchu. You will need an additional ticket to climb this mountain, but views are spectacular. Pro Tip: Most of the tours end around 3pm and many people board the bus at that time. Instead of boarding the bus, I went back into Machu Picchu. I finally was able to get my best, unobstructed photos of the site. Lastly, I got my passport stamped with the iconic Machu Picchu stamp!
Map of Machu Picchu
Oaxaca is one of Mexico's most unique and beautiful states, located in the Southwest part of the country. It is noted for its rich traditional heritage and diverse ethnic population, as well as for its artistic, cultural, and culinary treasures. Below are the top ten sights to photograph in this region.
Check out the behind the scenes travel vlog:
Música: Mounika. - "Yolo" | Chris Felix - "Bilolo", "Ayibobo", and "Bois Caïman" | Filmed with iPhone 6
1. Oaxaca City (7:23 - 9:35)
Designated UNESCO Site noted for its Spanish colonial architecture. It is filled with colorful, wonderfully preserved buildings and cobblestone streets. 2. Markets (8:18 - 8:23) Oaxaca is known as the "Land of the Seven Moles", a complex sauce used with meat and rice. But that is not all. Oaxaca is renowned for its unique regional cuisines. The markets are a great way to try the food. 3. Mezcal Factory Tour (2:06 - 2:50) Mezcal is one of Oaxaca's most famous exports. It is similar to tequila, only with a rich smoky flavor. Mezcal comes in many unique flavors and different aging categories including a variety that comes with a worm for added flavor. Check out the mezcal factories (like El Rey de Matatlan) where they will show you just how this liquid gold is made. 4. Textiles (1:14 - 2:00) Oaxaca is world famous for its textiles. They are created using natural dyes and wool. The textile patterns mimic the design elements from the Mitla, an archaeological site with distinctive geometric patterns, making them distinctive from any other textiles. Check out the family owned textile houses where they will do a demonstration and showcase their rugs, traditional clothes, and other creations. 5. Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzman (7:36 - 8:00) Glorious Baroque church found in Oaxaca City. It includes lavishly ornate interior. Construction started in the 16th Century but did not complete until the 17th Century. The town cathedral is witness to all the cultural activities taking place beneath its facade, including weddings and festivals. In fact, we saw a wedding on Saturday night! 6. Árbol del Tule (0:40 - 1:10) Botanists estimate this tree to be 2,000 years old. It is considered the largest and oldest tree in the world with a perimeter at 139 feet in circumference. It didn't even fit into one picture frame! 7. Hierve de Agua (3:50 - 4:30) One of the most surreal landscape I have ever seen is Hierve de Agua, found about two hours outside of the city. Getting there involved driving down an unpaved, bumpy, rural road in the middle of the country side. The name translates to "place where the water boils", and contains non-thermal pools, and natural rock formations rising form the valley below including the main highlight, a petrified waterfall. It was created by minerals that pushed through limestone, depositing onto the mountain. Visitors can hike to the "waterfall" or wade around in the mineral pools. While here, you can take a swim (be sure to waterproof your camera), or you can hike to the waterfall. 8. Zocalo and Basilica of Our Lady of Solitude (8:23 - 8:36) The zocalo is the central plaza in Oaxaca City that includes a Spanish Baroque style church, Basilica of our Lady of Solitude. The zocalo is connected by a pedestrian walkway to the other plaza, Santo Domingo. Along the zocalo are many shops and markets. 9. Mitla (2:30 - 3:46) One of the famous archaeology sites which translates to "place of the dead". Mitla was an ancient burial and funeral ritual site for the Zapotec people, one of Oaxaca's indigenous groups. It includes one of the few surviving temples, noted for its distinctive small tile mosaic-like geometric patterns in the facade. When the Spanish arrived, they ordered the obliteration of all temples and converted the people to Catholicism, building basilicas with the materials from the Mitla temple. 10. Monte Albán (6:00 - 7:28) Monte Albán is so amazing and should not be missed during your travels in Oaxaca. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site found about 20 minutes outside of the city. It is the first great city of Mesoamerica and dates back to 500 or 600 BCE. The Zapotec people leveled the mountains by hand (no metal tools or even wheels) to build their ceremonial center known as Monte Albán here, complete with temples or astronomical and religious purposes. Mitla and Monte Albán give you an idea of just how advanced this indigenous civilization was in its heyday. What are your favorite sights to photograph in Oaxaca?
Mexico City is one of the most exquisite cities in Latin America, but it is also considered a "megatropolis", boasting the highest population in North America at 22 million people. So how do you plan to efficiently see the city and take the best photographs? Follow a few simple tips and you will be able to navigate and manage your time and get the most out of one of the largest cities in the world.
1. Concentrate on a few Neighborhoods
Mexico City is a collection of neighborhoods. Be aware that getting from point A to point B, i.e. Xochimilco to the Zocalo is like going from Malibu to Downtown LA. If you have a weekend in Mexico City, concentrate on a few neighborhoods that interest you to avoid spending all the time on the road. A few notable neighborhoods with lots of beautiful sights to photograph are the Roma and Condesa districts which are known for hip and interesting shops and beautiful park-like streets. Polanco is the swanky Beverly Hills-like district filled with museums. Centro is where you will find historic architecture and the Zocalo. Coyoacan to the south is a peaceful neighborhood where Frida Kahlo's house is located. 2. Getting Around - Walk, Bike, Metro, or Turibus With all the traffic, let's just say that driving in Mexico City is best left to the experts. The best options for tourists are:
3. Map Out the Sights
I made a custom map with all the sights that I wanted to visit on my trip. That way, I could see the distance and plan my route. I could decide which sights were in the same area and if I could walk or take the metro there. You can also download my custom GPS Map which will work without using your phone data. 4. DSLR - To Bring or Not to Bring? I chose not to bring my DSLR because I wanted to be hands-free while walking the city and also did not want to stand out as a tourist. My iPhone sufficed for taking photos and was more discrete than my DSLR. A GoPro is also a good choice as it is compact and easy to carry. However, if you bring a DSLR, the best spots to take it are the museums or Chapultepec Castle which is a beautiful place to take photos. 5. Brush up on your Spanish In Mexico City, you will need to know basic Spanish at least. While it is feasible to get by without any Spanish, your trip will be easier and more fulfilling if you know some Spanish. How much Spanish do you need? Think about all the things you ask strangers on a daily basis. Be able to ask and answer for the time, help, directions, recommendations, and most importantly: ordering food. Make sure to practice pronunciation before embarking on a trip to Mexico City. If your Spanish is limited, the best option is to travel with a guide who can translate for you.
6. Choose Attire Wisely
Mexico City covers 573 square miles and you will be walking a lot. Bring walking shoes. I recommend dressing in similar attire that you would wear to Disneyland - casual clothes, no bling, closed-toe shoes, layers for weather, sunscreen, a hat, etc. Bring a cross body bag for your belongings. Don't carry a lot of cash either - credit cards will work just fine in Mexico City. 7. Get Global Access on Your Phone Mexico City is huge and you will likely need your phone for GPS and directions. I got a travel pass with Verizon. There are also SIM cards that you can buy at the airport to access data abroad. 8. Get Started Early If you are going to the pyramids or museums, get there early. It gets increasingly crowded in the afternoon when tour buses arrive. Check the hours of each museum. Some stay open late, others close on certain days of the week. Get tickets to the Friday Kahlo Museum in advance as it is very popular and lines can last over an hour on weekends. What are your favorite tips for visiting Mexico City? |
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We are two adventurous young professionals who turned our passion for travel into a blog to help others travel more.
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