Peru Day 7: May 4th – Machu Picchu
We caught the shuttle to Machu Picchu very early this morning and were at the top of the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) by 9 AM. Oh my, how to describe this magical place……
The view of Waynapicchu surrounded by the Andean mountain rain in early morning light is amazing.
A llama seemed to pose for us, and we could not resist.
The beginning of the Sun Gate trail, is all uneven boulders. The flowers along the trail were spectacular!
The Sun Gate Trail of Waynapicchu with Machu Picchu city at its’ base, is framed by pink wild flowers.
As we go up higher the views of the city get better and at an any from what was the city area.
The stairs on part of the trail has several boulders that one has to navigate around.
We spotted glacier, Veronica, when the clouds parted. See center area in the clouds.
After an hour of hiking, we were delighted to reach Sun Gate. The Sun Gate also called Intipunku in Quechua, and was once a guardhouse that marked one of the principle entrances to Machu Picchu. The large lithic enclosure features big windows and doorways, and once had a thatched roof. The strategic location of the Sun Gate leads historians to believe that the entrance to Machu Picchu was restricted. Imperial guards kept efficient control over all entries. For this reason it is thought that this city welcomed only selected visitors of the imperial elite.
This was a bucket list item for Mary— to visit Machu Picchu and hike it. DONE!
On the way back down Sun Gate trail, we noticed an altar where it is believed animal sacrifices were made.
After hiking the Sun Gate Trail, we decided to hike the Inca Bridge trail. The wraps around the back side of the mountain, and so this is a different view of the city. The terraces on the left (western side) had different exposure and therefore were used to go herbs and medicinal plants.
There were two llamas that nudged Peter off the Inca Bridge trail. They don’t seem interested in humans and just go about their business.
We are happy that we do not have to traverse Inca Bridge each day!
A shot of Inca Bridge from farther up the trail.
Standing in what was the main door or gate to the city. There are groves on the other side where a door, likely of wood beams, was attached.
The pristine stonework that the Inca builders are know for is amazing. Their finest and largest work was reserved for temples. There is no mortar in-between the perfectly fitted stones.
Most of the doorways throughout the site are trapezoid shaped. Throughout the town of Machu Picchu there are modern interpretive sculptures. Some were just up the street from our hotel.
We saw a Peruvian woman was knitting on a sidewalk while her son sat next to her.
Bands were playing in the streets all day. Saturday ended with the bands competing at the local soccer field. A concert was held there also.