Located high in the Peruvian Andes lies the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu. Constructed in the 15th century, this Incan marvel was deserted following the Spanish conquest of the empire in the 16th century, only to be revealed to the wider world in 1911.
Not only is it a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but Machu Picchu also gained fame as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, which has significantly boosted its tourist footfall – now attracting roughly 1.6 million visitors every year.
Among those drawn to the ancient citadel was avid traveller Leonie, who documented her journey to Machu Picchu on her TikTok account, where she has over 182,000 followers.
After spending over 30 hours travelling to the site, which included planes, buses, bikes, rafts, and a hike, she anticipated a spectacular sight.
Yet, upon arrival, Leonie’s reaction was one of disappointment. She expressed her feelings online: “Seeing one of Seven Wonders of the World: Machu Picchu. Did 8 hours plane, 17 hours of bus, biking and rafting, 5 hours of hiking for this view.”
Her video captures her shock, hands clasped over her mouth, before turning the camera around to reveal the day’s conditions. Instead of the iconic ruins, a dense, grey fog shrouded the landscape, casting an almost supernatural gloom over the mountain.
According to Exploor Peru, Machu Picchu is frequently shrouded in fog, particularly in the early hours, given its towering altitude and closeness to the Amazon rainforest.
The dense fogs are a common occurrence during the rainy season from November to March, often concealing the iconic ruins and adjacent peaks from sight.
Nevertheless, patience is rewarded as the fog typically dissipates later in the day, allowing for brilliant sunshine to unveil the breathtaking scenery.
Leonie’s TikTok video about her experience, which attracted over 8.8 million views, sparked widespread reactions with many echoing her feelings of dismay over the obscured views.
One commenter shared: “Machu Picchu was so disappointing when I went in January,”.
Another viewers stated resolutely: “I’d stay there for days waiting to clear out – no way.”
The sentiment of potential letdowns was clear as another person posted: “Bruh this is why I’m avoiding planning a trip to see Machu Picchu or the Northern Lights – I couldn’t deal with the disappointment.”
Counterbalancing the downcast comments, an optimistic viewer wrote: “You know it’s about the journey, not always the destination.”