2/22/12 Machu Picchu

The Inca Trail

We left Urubamba and boarded a train at the Ollanta station. We rode the train through the river valley into the Urubamba Gorge. We saw several ruins along the way. We saw the Inca Trail where hikers walk from Qoriwayrachina or Chillca to Machu Picchu, a distance of 43 KM. The trail is a strech of the imperial highway system and goes through cloud-hung canions and overlooks with archaeological sites along the way.

Machu Picchu was the largest Inca urban development and was built by the people during Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui's rule. It is called the "Lost City of the Inca", Machu Picchu. After the sacred citadel was abandoned, the jungle reclaimed the land and it was lost to history. Even though it has hundreds of buildings it can't be seen from below in the valley. It was rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911 and excavated with financial support from the National Geographic Society. (See a picture before restoration). The story of the excavation and discoveries is too long to cover here.

Machu Picchu is a mystical place when there are low hanging clouds. The views of the valley below are amazing. Here are a series of pictures of our walks through Machu Picchu. We've tried to label them correctly but if you see an error please let us know.

Waynapicchu

Yes we are finally at Machu Picchu

View of Main Temple

Condor Carving in Main Temple

Terraces and the Sun Temple

Worn Stairs (better than many we used)

View towards East side of the Citadel

Agricultural Terraces and Workers' Houses

Royal Tomb (Tho no bodies found...)

Watch Tower

Sacred Rock

Intihuatana - carved - possible solar clock

Factory Houses

Main Plaza

North Window in Sun Temple

Doors with slanted sides survive earthquakes

The visit to Machu Picchu was so interesting and challenging to walk around. We could have done without the rain tho!

We stayed the night very close to the entrance to Machu Picchu in the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge. In the evening we were treated to another musical performance by Allpa Macchu Picchu a group of Andean musicians.

Drum and pan flutes

Charango (small 10-stringed guitar like instrument) and player of three flutes.