Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is an archaeological site northwest of Cusco and on the edge of the Amazon rain forest.  Whereas Cusco sits at 11,300’, Machu Picchu is about 3,000’ lower, warmer and more humid.  It was discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911.  Excavation and reconstruction began shortly after that.  Here is a link that gives details about Machu Picchu.

Our group spent a few hours there the afternoon after we arrived in Aguas Calientes, and a few hours the next morning.  I had been there a few times, the latest in 2015, but things were quite different this time.  Previously, one rode from Aguas Calientes on the bus up to the site, and purchased an entry ticket there.  Then one was free to wander around at will and take time to look at everything.  Now, all of the tickets must be purchased in town ahead of time.  One is restricted to a 2 ½ hour visit and must use one of 4 pre determined routes around the site.  Most of the stairways that I previously used are roped off.  I had also planned on hiking up to the Sun Gate, which is where the hikers on the Inca Trail enter above Machu Picchu, but that route is now not available to people who want to go up.  It is one way down only. 

Nevertheless, I felt like I was coming home as soon as I got there.  Everything was so familiar.  The weather was lovely with just a bit of rain, and everything was green.  The rainy season had just started. 

Mark Carlotto’s research indicated that the central part of the site at the Temple of the Three Windows was aligned with the Bering Sea North Pole of about 130,000 years ago, and the terraces were aligned with the Hudson Bay North Pole of 20,000 to 60,000 years ago. 

Clearly this site predates the Incas by many thousands of years.  So many styles of architecture are evident there that it may be impossible to determine who built what and when. 

The central part of the site is a white granite outcropping.  The Intihuatana, the Hitching Post to the Sun, was carved out of this granite.   It was used during the Winter Solstice ceremonies all over Peru.  This is the only one that the Spanish did not destroy because they never made it to Machu Picchu! 

Other monoliths in the central sacred area were also carved from this granite.

Here is a chinchilla resting in a crack.  Cute!

This is my final shot of Machu Picchu.