Cusco & The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

South America » Peru » Cusco » Machu Picchu
March 4th 2018

Published: March 17th 2018

Our first stop in Peru was Cusco, our gateway to the Inca Trail. But before we get into all that, we must first pay homage to the beautiful city of Cusco which was the capital of the great Incan Empire for 200 years. It's main square, the Plaza des Armas is the most impressive we've seen in all of South America - the large square boasts beautiful colonial architecture (built upon Inca foundations)... Read Full Entry

Photos are below

Photos: 47, Displayed: 21

Phuyupatamarca Inca Site

La Ciudad entre la Niebla (The City above the Clouds)

Phuyupatamarca Inca Site

The discovery of many platforms and ritual baths leads archaeologists to believe it was a sacred and religious site.

Intipata Inca site

This was an agricultural site with many terraces used for different crop production like potatoes, maize, and fruit.

Enjoying the great views at Intipata!!!!

Llama Path indeed!

Wiñay Wayna Inca Site at 2680m

Another large agricultural area with many terraces.

Llama life at Wiñay Wayna

What the terraces at Wiñay Wayna look like from below!

The views of the Andes and Urubamba River from Wiñay Wayna

Verónica Glacier visible at Wiñay Wayna campsite

Inti Punku (Sun Gate) at 2730m

No sign of the sun.......or Machu Picchu! This is thought to have been a control gate for entering and exiting Machu Picchu.

Nothing like running through a rainforest at 5.30am in the morning to get the blood flowing!

Our first glimpse of Machu Picchu!

Machu Picchu covers a vast area of approximately 9 hectares, and is constructed on a mountain ridge high above the Urubamba Valley.

Donal enjoying the views of Machu Picchu

The iconic Machu Picchu shot.....

MP is split into two sectors - the agricultural sector in the south and the urban sector in the north, of which both are roughly equal in size. Granite stone was the main building material used in construction, which was obtained from the onsite quarries and others nearby.

4 days with no showers = a definite hat day!

Agricultural area of Machu Picchu

The agricultural sector is largely made up of rows of stepped terraces and storehouses.

Mau going the distance to get a selfie with two llamas!!

#llamatakeaselfiewithyou

Success!

Some of the urban dwellings in Machu Picchu

The urban sector is made up of streets, storehouses, lodgings and temples.

Jelly legs all around but we made it!

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Cusco & The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

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