The first time I visited Marcahuasi twenty-something-years ago it was no easy task to reach the awesome plateau located over13.000 feet above sea level in the Central Andes near Lima. Then it was necessary to start your way up the plateau very early in the morning, a bus ride from Lima to Chosica on the Central Highway and from this nice village set at the feet of the mountain range proceed to Santa Eulalia (always uphill) by crammy public transportation vans or mini buses. From here, if you were lucky to find one, you could ride a van or otherwise a truck to San Pedro de Casta. Approximately 4 or 5 hours later you'd be arriving to this small yet picturesque Andean village where in that time no hotel existed. You had to find the mules to help you carry your bags and get on the trail up to the plateau before noon if you wanted to arrive with enough daylight to put up your tent and prepare for a chilly night. I was accompanied by a dozen of enthusiastic young friends...not too enthusiastic when we finally made it up later tham we should. Although it was a tough first night, we managed to lit up a fire using dry mule poop (excellent combustion) and prepared nice hot instant chicken soup. Next morning all suffering was forgotten when we beheld the first sights of the giant stones with anthropomorphic and zoomorphic features naturally eroded during centuries by wind and rain. There are many stories told about this place, some related to the special magnetic force that can be perceived similar to the that in Machu Picchu and which also involves an ancient civilization that survived the great flood of biblical times; others link this place to UFO sightings and close encounters with alien life forms. Whatever, I thought that the sufferings of the first time were worth it. Nowadays i believe things are much more organized and people don't have to go through so much hussle anymore. You can sleep the first day in one of two San Pedro de Casta lodging facilities and go up the plateau very early in the morning (mules at your disposal at a small fee), there is no need to spend the night there if you just want to take a quick look around...you can even take your mountain bike and ride it down to the village in the afternoon. I still think it is best to camp in the place and enjoy an awesome star filled sky and feel the energy or amaze at the magic of the this fantastic place.