Machu Picchu, Peru
The ancient citadel of Machu Picchu sits high in the Andes Mountains in Peru, South America. It was built in the mid fifteenth century supposedly by the great Inca Ruler, Pachacuti. History books tell us it was discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911 but the site was well known by the Quechua Indians and farming families that lived in the area. An inscription on a rock also predates Bingham's discovery, "Agustin Lizarraga, 1901". Many of Bingham's writings were refuted by his own son, Alfred, when he read his father's journals after he had died. He decided that Hiram had written The Lost City of the Incas with much embellishment and imagination. What was the city used for? Why was it abandoned? There are many theories. Its significance has been debated for years. I don't really care about any of this. My experience in Machu Picchu is deeply personal.
Machu Picchu was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization) in 1983.
Maggie looks out over the ancient city of Machu Picchu
Maggie & Robin board a helicopter in Cusco, Peru to fly over the Andes Mountains to the town of Agua Calientes located at the base of Machu Picchu Mountain
Robin & llama friend
Agricultural terraces
The treacherous switchback road winding up Machu Picchu Mountain
The ancient entrance to Machu Picchu
Huaynu Picchu Mountain, our grueling climb
Temple of the Sun, the only structure at Machu Picchu with curved walls
Temple of Three Windows
Intihuantana: The Hitching Post of the Sun
Steps, steps... and more steps
"May Peace Prevail on Earth"
this sign greets hikers in
several languages as they
enter the sacred city after their
four day trek on the Inca Trail
the treacherous rock trail climbing Huaynu Picchu Mountain
Looking down upon the Urubamba River from the top of Huaynu Picchu Mountain.
Looking down to Machu Picchu from
the top of Huaynu Picchu Mountain,
the Sanctuary Hotel can be seen to
the left
Part way to the top... we're going where ???
Good Reading ...
The Celestine Prophecy
James Redfield
The Celestine Vision
James Redfield
Sweat of the Sun,
Tears of the Moon
Peter Lourie
Lost Treasure of the Inca
Peter Lourie
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Journey to Machu Picchu
Carol Cumes & Romulo Lizarraga Valencia
The Meaning of Machu Picchu
James S. Westerman
The Machu Picchu Guidebook
Ruth M. Wright & Alfredo Valencia Zegarra
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Machu Picchu A Civil Engineering Marvel
Kenneth R. Wright &
Alfredo Valencia Zegarra
Machu Picchu
John Hemming
All photos by Robin Lawrence Poses unless otherwise noted.
