Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu (elev. 2,350m/7,710ft)

The eighth and ninth days we traveled from Cusco to Machu Picchu via train.

We had to wake up at 4:30AM to make the 6:00AM train.

And finally we arrived at the ultimate Peru destination!

One can see the bottom of the valley here. Just around the bend down there is Aguas Calientes where one gets off the train. Buses transport visitors straight up the side of the mountain through a series of 10-15 switchbacks.

Way off in the distance, one can make out the Intipunku or Gate of the Sun which marks the entrance to Machu Picchu from the Inca trail

Here is a closer look.

The area closest to the entrance is the agricultural terraces.

Hiram Bingham stumbled upon Machu Picchu in 1911 with the aid of a few local Quechua people. This round Temple of the Sun poked out of the jungle just enough to tell him he had found something really big. He recognized it right away as reminiscent of the Inca architecture from Cusco.

It's hard now to imagine Machu Picchu being covered completely with jungle as thick as seen at it's base.

We were told that the small channels of water would have been used by the local residents and not for farming. Apparently, the wet season supplied the agricultural terraces all the water they needed.

Looking back on the agricultural terraces.

At the top, one can see the "Hut of the Caretaker of the Funerary Rock."

This carved rock represent the head of a condor. It's believed that ceremonies with animal sacrifices were performed here.

Above, these rocks form the right wing of the condor.

And here to the right is the condor's left wing.

Our guide explained that these curved pools were likely used as reflecting pools for astronomical observations.

The high Intihuatana was extremely important in taking astronomical observations. The acoustics of both high banks allowed one to make out the conversations of those at the top of Intihuatana.

The sacred rock that mirrors the skyline behind it.

A view of the Intihuatana from the Temple of the Three Windows.

The Principle Temple. The apparent damage at the righ rear corner is due to settling of the ground underneath, not anything structurally wrong with the stones themselves.

The Rio Urubamba below.

Beauty from the top of Intihuatana.

Doorways, windows, and even entire structures were built in a trapezoidal manner. This made the structures very resistant to the frequent earthquakes in the area. While the Spaniards continually rebuilt their cathedrals every 100 years or so, the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu lay unfazed.

It's hard to imagine but rocks like these were ground into shape with nothing more than a small fist sized piece of hematite, an iron ore that was the hardest substance available.

The newly married couple in a classic Machu Picchu pose.

On the bus ride back down the hill, this boy waved and cheered to all of us from the middle of the first switchback. He then snuck down the trail that leads straight down the side of the mountain and met us at the middle of the next switchback. Amazingly, he chased us all the way to the bottom waving and cheering at each midpoint. The bus driver then let him jump on so he can make a pitch for a small tip for his efforts.

A morning view from our hotel along the Rio Urubamba.

The other way.

Day two at Machu Picchu was Will's chance to climb to the top of Huayna Picchu, behind and overlooking Machu Picchu.

The gate behind requires one to register before making the climb. The guide book said that the climb was easier than it looked and that it took 45min to 1-1/2 hours. Will though, "Hah, I'll be happy to get to the top in two hours!"

To his surprise, here was his view a short 50 minutes later. Yes, dripping in sweat and a little dizzy from breathing so hard at high elevation, he downed his two bags of M&M's and drank down much of his water.

Crowded at the top.

In this view, one can see the road's last few switchbacks that lead to Machu Picchu.

One can also make out the Inca trail stretching from the top of Machu Picchu up and to the left to the Gate of the Sun.

A lizard basking in the sun.

2700 meters (8,859ft)

Watch your step!!

One of the "easier" sections of trail.

A typically steeper stretch.

This area had a representative sample of indigenous plants...

...including a coca plant.

The climb up to the "Hut of the Caretaker of the Funerary Rock."

Almost there.

And from here, the classic shot of Machu Picchu.

While Will climbed Huayna Picchu, Masami explored the trail to the Inca Drawbridge.

When Will and Masami met back up, she took this brief video. Will thought she wanted him to pose for a picture, not that she was recording his ugly mug on video!

Back in Aguas Calientes having lunch just before boarding the train back to Cusco.

A strange fruit that Masami enjoyed.

This man dressed up in some sort of traditional fair. We thought we were being entertained. But, after his brief performance, the steward and stewardess began a fashion/sales show of very expensive Alpaca wool to a Disco/techno beat.

This site was last updated 07/16/05