Department of Cusco,
Urubamba Province, Peru

George & Eve DeLange

Machu Picchu: Discription Of Main Features. After departing the tour bus from Aguas Calientes at the drive way of the Sanctuary Lodge Resturant we walked up a short ramp to the ticket booth at Machu Picchu. From the ticket booth, we entered the south side of Machu Picchu through the Guard�s Quarters, now the modern day entrance. From here, there are a number of pathways used to explore the ruins, all of which offer striking views of intricate Inca architecture, Andean mountains, and terraced staircases. A few of the can�t-miss Machu Picchu attractions include the Temple of the Sun, Royal Tomb, Three-Windowed Temple, Chamber of the Princess, Principal Temple, Intihuatana, Huayna Picchu, Temple of the Moon, and Intipunku. This First Group Of Attractions Are In An Area Known As The "Eastern Sector." *** Temple of the Sun: Located in the heart of the Eastern Sector and in a very protected location, accessible by a series of stairways and passages is the Temple of the Sun. The curved walls surround a carved crest of stone that must have been considered highly sacred. Do not confuse this with the Intihuatana, or the �Hitching Post of the Sun.� The Temple of the Sun was used as a solar observatory and this unique complex is the only round building at Machu Picchu. At sunrise during the summer solstice, the sun�s rays flood through the window and illuminate the tower with a precision only the Incas could have executed. Also known as �Torreon,� the temple presents a spectacular semicircular wall and carved steps that fit seamlessly into the existing surface of a natural boulder, forming some sort of altar. Although access inside the temple is not permitted, the outside architecture is spectacular in and of itself. The temple displays some of Machu Picchu�s most superb stonework, and has a window from which the June solstice sunrise and constellation of Pleiades can be observed. In Andean culture the Pleiades continues to be an important astronomical symbol, and the locals use the constellation to calculate the arrival of the rains and to determine the best time of year to plant crops. Next to the Temple of the Sun is the Chamber of the Princess and below the temple is The Royal Tomb. ***Tomb Of The Princess Or Royal Tomb: The Royal Tomb is a bit of a misnomer due to the fact that neither graves nor human remains have ever been encountered here. Though it may lack the macabre history that some travelers may expect, this cave-like structure is an excellent example of the Inca�s stonemasonry genius. Located inside are a magnificent stepped altar and a series of tall niches, once used to present offerings, which capture the sun�s rays to produce brilliant patterns of morning shadows. Just down the stairs leading from the Royal Tomb is a series of interconnected fountains and a still-functioning water canal. ***Chamber of the Princess: The two-story structure sitting adjacent to the Temple of the Sun is the Chamber of the Princess. The building was most likely used for Inca nobility, which may explain why archaeologist Hiram Bingham chose its name. A three-walled house standing next to the chamber has been restored with a thatched roof and provides a good illustration of how Inca buildings might have once looked. From here you can follow a staircase that leads upwards past the Royal Area (denoted by characteristic imperial Inca architecture) and to the two most impressive buildings in the city: Three-Windowed Temple and Principal Temple ***The Temple of the Condor: Just a short distance downhill from the Temple of the Sun and Royal Residence group is the Temple of the Condor. This structure is built upon and by incorporating the natural rock formations. In this area we can see the outstretched stone "wings" of the condor. The flat surface above has a wall with three niches with holes in the outer corners. This is said to be a place to display mummies or a place where prisoners were bound. There is a cave entrance below the "wing" of the condor which leads to some underground chambers below, but entrance to this area is not allowed. ***Huayna Picchu: This great mountain that towers over the Machu Picchu citadel is a well-known image, but few tourists have ever climbed the steep rocky path to the top to catch the fantastic view of the citadel. Access to the sacred summit is controlled by a guardian from a kiosk behind the Sacred Rock. A well-marked path sets out from the northwestern-most edge of the citadel. The trail is open daily 7am-1pm, with the last exit by 3pm. The steep walk up to the summit takes about 1 to 2 hours and includes a 60 foot climb up a steep rock slab using a ladder and rope. (Those afraid of heights may want to pass on this climb). Your physical labors will be rewarded, however, with a spectacular panoramic view of the entire Machu Picchu complex and the Andean mountains and forests which cradle it. Near the top, a guard tower and many terraces are located on the mountain. About two thirds of the way down the trail behind the summit another trail leads to the right and down to the exquisitely situated Temple of the Moon. ***Intipunku or the Sun Gate You take the trail leading from the guardian�s kiosk behind the Sacred Stone to Intipunku, the main entrance to Machu Picchu from the Inca Trail. This is about 5 km (an hour's walk) from Machu Picchu. The climb is up a gently sloping, well-preserved stone path that links up with the most southeastern end of the citadel. The trail that links the gateway to Machu Picchu is actually the final stretch of the famous Inca Trail that begins at the Winay Wayna ruins. Due to the strategic location of the gateway, from where one can look out across the Urubamba Valley (there are breath-taking views of the snow-capped peaks that rise above the tropical rainforest) The Intipunku, which is also known as the Sun Gate, consists of two large stones that correspond to the winter and summer solstices, and on these dates the gates are illuminated by laser-like beams of light. In addition to their symbolic importance, the gates will also give you remarkable views of both Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu. Is Machu Picchu In Danger? On June 9, 2001 the BBC announced that a leading archaeologist, Dr Frederico Kauffmann, has accused the Peruvian Government of failing to act on a report that suggests the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is in danger of falling off its mountain perch. "If we follow the Japanese, in five, 10 or perhaps 15 more years, we won't have Machu Picchu any more;" said Dr Frederico Kauffmann. Dr Frederico Kauffmann made his statement after a survey by Japanese geologists from the Disaster Prevention Research Institute at the Kyoto University, who found the earth beneath Machu Picchu is moving. According to the Japanese, there are alarming signs that the mountainside beneath the 2,250-metre-high city could give way in a potentially catastrophic landslide within the next few years. "Machu Picchu is constructed over a place that is moving inside. It's terrible," Dr Kauffmann said. "The Incas were master stone-masons, crafting walls out of massive blocks of granite so tight fitting that it is impossible to slip a piece of paper between them. But gaps have begun to appear in some of the constructions, hinting at movement beneath. All around the spectacular razor-back ridge that the Incas built on, there are other warning signs: deep scars on the jungle-clad slopes left by landslides caused by natural erosion in the geologically young Andean mountains." There has even been a landslide located at the RR tracks and the edge of the Pueblo Hotel in Aguas Calientes that has caused some problems in that area. people can no longer use that area. We were at Machu Picchu the afternoon of April 16, 2006 and the morning of April 17, 2006. April 16th was a very cloudy day. April 17th was a very clear day. The photos of the attractions on our Machu Picchu Web Pages were taken at various times during both days.

This page is for information purposes only and while we have made every effort to be accurate, it is the travelers responsibility to make the appropriate choice as to which hotels to use in Peru. We found that when touring Peru, Magical Cusco Tours gave us the best service of all. They even arranged very personal tours based upon our ages and experience. They were there for us whenever we needed them. Click on any of their links on our pages and they will give you a 4% discount for taking their package tours. Mention delange.org. Merchant Code Inka2010 for your discount! We suggest letting Ana Maria handle your tour. Note: The 4% discount applies to package tours only! Discount does not apply to hotel bookings, domestic or international tickets, meals or any other service booked as a single activity. Magical Cusco Tours also has a culinary tour that you may enjoy.Click Here For: Taste Of Peru.com their culinary tour page. The good hotels in the area of Machu Picchu are all expensive; but the price for the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge in Machu Picchu, is very expensive! We suggest you use one of the various Aguas Calientes hotels that are nearby. We prefer the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo hotel. Hint: If arranging a tour on your own; when searching for a package deal or just for a hotel, plan your flight into Cusco and then search for hotels in either Cusco and Aguas Calientes. An internet search for Machu Picchu will usually bring up the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge as it is the only hotel in the Machu Picchu Ruins. That is why it is so expensive. ($800 to $1000 a night). We also have links to Priceline.Com on our pages, in case you may prefer to use their services.

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Machu Picchu And Huayna Picchu On A Clear Day!

Guard Tower & Terraces On Top Of Huayna Picchu On A Clear Day!

Machu Picchu Parking Area With Main Entrance Shown On Far Right	We Walk Along This Trail Toward Bottom Right To Enter People In Photo Are Exiting
Upon Entering Machu Picchu These Huts Are The First Sight We See	They Are The Guards Huts In The Guard House Area
This is Our First Overall View	Of Machu Picchu
Looking Back Behind Us We See The Intipunku Or The Sun Gate About 5 Km From The Main Tourist Entrance Into Machu Picchu	Intipunku Or The Sun Gate Inka Trail Comes Through These Large Stone Structures
And Decends Down The Trail To The Right	About Five Km. Into Machu Picchu
We Then Follow The Main Trail To TheTemple Of The Sun Also Known As The �Torreon�	It Was Used As A Solar Observatory Only Round Building At Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu	Machu Picchu
The Temple Of The Sun The Square Room To The Right Is The Chamber Of The Princess	Sacred Stone The Temple Of The Sun
From About 12 Feet Below The Temple Of The Sun We See Guard Houses In Distance	From About 12 Feet Below The Temple Of The Sun We See These Structures
Temple Of The Sun With Chamber Of The Princess On Right Behind The Thatch Roof On Right	Inside Restored Three - Walled House With A Thatched Roof Next To The Princess Chamber
Left: Temple Of The Sun Right: Restored Three - Walled House	Round, Temple Of The Sun On The Right Left: The Rectangular, Two Story Chamber Of The Princess
Top: Restored Three - Walled House Princess Sacred Fountain Bottom: The Rectangular, Two Story Chamber Of The Princess Round, Temple Of The Sun On The Top Right	Princess Sacred Fountain Between Wall Of Temple Of The Sun On Left Three - Walled House On Right
Water Channels From Princess Sacred Fountain	Water Channels From Princess Sacred Fountain
Water From The Princess Sacred Fountain Flows Between These Two Stairs Stair On Left To Royal Tomb Stair On Right To Water Canals And Fountains	The Previous Left Stair Turns To The Right Side Of The Royal Tomb Area In This Photo Below Sun Temple View
Last Look At Guard Houses Then Down To The Royal Tomb Or Tomb Of The Princess	Below The Temple Of The Sun We See The Royal Tomb Or Tomb Of The Princess
The Royal Tomb Or Tomb Of The Princess	The Royal Tomb Or Tomb Of The Princess
The Royal Tomb Or Tomb Of The Princess	The Royal Tomb Or Tomb Of The Princess
The Royal Tomb Or Tomb Of The Princess	The Royal Tomb Or Tomb Of The Princess
The Royal Baths	The Royal Baths
The Royal Baths	The Royal Baths
The Royal Baths	The Royal Baths
The Temple Of The Condor Uses Natural Rocks For Large Wings The Carved Stone Is The Body & Head	The Condor's Body & Head
The Condor's Body	The Condor's Head And Eye
Machu Picchu & Huayna Picchu View From Agricultural Terraces	Machu Picchu & Huayna Picchu View From Agricultural Terraces
Machu Picchu & Huayna Picchu View From Agricultural Terraces	Machu Picchu & Huayna Picchu View From Agricultural Terraces
At First Glance Huayna Picchu Looks Bare View From Agricultural Terraces	But There Are Structures On Huayna Picchu View From Agricultural Terraces
Huayna Picchu Houses View From Agricultural Terraces	Huayna Picchu Towers View From Agricultural Terraces
Eastern Sector Agriculture Terraces	Eastern Sector Agriculture Terraces Leading Up To The Watchman's Hut

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