Many theories surround the primary function of this city in the mountains. But many believe it to be a getaway retreat for the Incan emperor, Pachacutec.
Anyways, here are some photos.
We decided to start our climb up a massive flight of stairs at four in the morning. Still dark out, we used our headlamps to see. As a result, were some of the first to walk through the ruins in the morning.
Not too long after walking in the ruins, we stumbled upon a llama. Matt tried feeding it a cracker, but the llama rejected him. These "tourist-y" llamas are definitely well fed.
Early in the morning... foggy and eerie. Walking through the ruins was surreal, but obscured the true extent of the surroundings.
Morning time, we saw a few funkadelic creatures... two Chinchillas scurrying around on the stones. Matt saw them first and yelled, "hey look, squirrels!"
As day went on, clouds began to rise. The full extent of this place became clearer and clearer. This is a shot of what they call the Agricultuaral district. Terraces upon terraces... personally my favorite feature of the Incan site.
Matt and Sam .. in the morning it was a city in the clouds.
A demonstration of a second floor
Running through the stones, was an intricate system for water. Fountains and trenches carved from the rocks ran though the residential areas.
Steps etched out of the stone.
The residential zone. Clouds rising, and sun emerging. The site was finally taking full form.
Terraces!
The clouds shrouding the bus path up to the mountain. For 18 dollars each way you could take a nice, cozy bus ride. But instead, we opted for the free way: the stairs.
Mountains and walls and terraces.
We took a walk along the Inca trail to head to a place called the Sun Gate, which is the first main Incan checkpoint coming from the Intipuntu. (inca trail) . We stopped along the way when the sun came out to get a few shots...
The Urubamba river valley. Sacred landscape of the Inca. On the far right is where Aguas Calientes is located. And on the far left is Machu Picchu. Both are outside the photo, but it gives you a sense of the area.
A really cool moment we had on the Inca trail on the way to the sun gate. We were hanging out, having a sit, and a Japanese woman began playing a tune on her flute while we were all looking at the site from afar. It was pretty great.
Cool pic Matt took at the Sun Gate
The winding road to Machu Picchu. The taller mountain on the right, that looms over the ancient city, is called, Huayna Picchu, "Young Mountain."
Matt's mind is blown after seeing the epic view...
Thanks Hiram Bingham for making this place known to the world. More cred to Pachacutec though, for making it.
Well... that's it. This is what they call the classic shot that most people see on magazines and whatnot.. it captures Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu with the city etched out of the mountain. Incredible place.
