I spent my 29th birthday on top of Machu Picchu which was exactly what I wanted. 

The entrance fee was PEN 142 (around US $42) which includes the entrance to Machu Picchu and the Machu Picchu Mountain. 

  

I decided to take a bus from Aguas Calientes which costs PEN 78 (US $24) roundtrip. The first bus leaves at 5:30AM. I left my hostel with my dorm mate at 4:30AM. My hostel is just couple minutes walk to the bus station but when we got there the line was already long. We go on the second bus and it left at 5:25AM. The ride was around 20 minutes and it was a beautiful, beautiful ride. 

  
We arrived at 5:50AM so we had to wait until they let us in at 6AM. At the gate you have to show your passport along with your ticket. 

  
I walked around with my dorm mate from France and we took beautiful pictures before it got really crowded.   

    
    
    
 
We were hiking different mountains so we separated our ways 15 minutes before 7AM. I went to the entrance of Machu Picchu Mountain and waited 5 minutes to open. Taken from the main gate to Machu Picchu, here’s what I was going for and man it’s high. 

  
We started at exactly 7AM. I was walking with Mr. and Mrs. McMillan from Georgia, USA. They are cool couple celebrating their 20th Anniversary in Peru. We took turns taking our pictures. We stopped on almost of the stops! LOL!!! The stairs are tiring. From normal to small to huge steps! 

We had fun walking our way up. We were all determined that we’d reach the top no matter what because that’s where they’ll sing happy birthday to me. 

Here are some of the pictures taken along the way.

   
    
    
    
 After 2 1/2 hours, we finally reached the top and we screamed for being so happy and then they sang happy birthday to me. 

Here are some of the pictures taken on top of Machu Picchu Mountain. 
   
   
Going back down was just as hard which took us 1 1/2 hour. Our legs were like noodles and going down seemed like forever. 

We decided to have lunch and the couple invited me to join their tour because they will get a guide and they enjoy having me around. They said I won’t have to pay anything for that is their birthday treat to me. 🙂 

After the big lunch, Mr. McMillan found Marco Guevarra as our private guide which cost US $60. The others will charge you US $150 for private tour. 

  
   
   
We had an awesome two hours tour in Machu Picchu Pueblo. Knowing the history is amazing. I wish there’s a video I could watch because I just can’t imagine the life of people who used to live there many years ago. 

And I finally got Machu Picchu stamp on my passport! 

  
We then headed our way back around 3:30PM and boy we were beat! 

The day before my Machu Picchu adventure, it was raining all day and all night in Aguas Calientes. On my birthday, the weather was perfect just like what I prayed for. 

I had my birthday dinner at Indio Feliz. I then called it a day. 

  
This was so far the best birthday I’ve ever had. I am blessed. I am grateful. I am Ryshel and I am now 29 years old. ❤️❤️❤️

  

Uncategorized 20th anniversary 29th birthday aguas calientes backpacking peru best birthday ever cusco darylle mcmillan dennis mcmillan filipina in peru filipina in south america iamryshel indio feliz inka machu picchu peru solo traveler