It’s now 7.30 am and we keep exploring the site agitated but fascinated with the history and nature of our location. [pictured right the residential and industrial areas]
We end up sorrounded by Inca stone buildings of religious characters.
The first visit is to the Sacristy, the well stone-carved niches believed to be storage for ceremonial objects.
Next door is the Principal Temple, the name derives from the perfection and solidity of its construction.
A bit further left is The Temple of the Three Windows, with imposing huge stone blocks that command a magnificent view of the Sacred Plaza through its three trapezoidals windows, ideal for a framed photo ilusion.
The Sacred Plaza was a platform used for ritual purposes sorrounded by these religious buildings. On the far side there is a look out spot, “stand there and let me know what you see,” says Juanita.
Despite the overcast, [Left] we enjoy a spectacular view of the Vilcabamba mountain range, with the Urubamaba river twisting around its feet. [Below]
On the remaining side we find the House of the High Priest, though it’s not proven anyone lived inside, they say the Supreme Priest would depart from here to direct the religious acts held at the plaza.
Continuing the hike, it’s clear we’ve completed the loop route when we meet again with the flight of stairs near the entrance. We are in the upper area, the one we were too lazy to climb.
Nearby are the Ceremonial Baths , 16 reservoirs supplied with water from a spring one kilometer away, and letting it flow gently down to different levels.
On the same direction is the Temple of the Sun, a curved and tapering tower containing the finest stonework. Only priests and the Inca used this site.
Inside is a curiosly drilled trapezoidal window that looks out on the site, known as the Serpent Window.
Below the temple is a natural rock cave, known as the Royal Tomb. It was the place where the mummies of the Inca’s ancestors and the high imperial dignitaries were kept, worshipped and offered tributes.
The building left to visit in our circuit is the higher up the hill Funerary Rock Hut, [Below] the place where the Incan nobility were mummified. It’s also ‘the place’ tourists reach for the iconic Machu Picchu photo, with famous Huayna Picchu mountain rising over it.
This vantage point offers a dramatic view of the whole complex. We take around ten photos each, especially to include the small herd of llamas and alpacas wondering around.
Finally the sun comes out, and with the sky clearer the photos keep going.
I hear a lot of people are hiking the Huayna Picchu mountain and we’re all exhausted.
I have some curiosity and it’s not as hard as the Inca Trail, plus I’m already here.
I still hesitate, it looks massive, but other Aussies I meet say it’s not bad, only taking three hours return.
“Only don’t do it you are afraid of heights,” says one, referring to the spectacular tail drops and strenous steep steps.
I hurry up to the other side of the mountain and registrate since the hike is limited to 400 people per day.
I barely make it as entry number 388.
The hike was so worth it, and finally I could say Machu Picchu is definetely the sweet cherry on top of my trip.
For further information on the Intrepid ‘Peruvian Pathways’, and other tours to Peru, see www.intrepidtravel.com or call 1300 364 512
For information on Peru, see www.peru.info/perueng.asp
A report by Silvia Garcia on location for TravelMole in Peru
