Machu Picchu, Peru

Lying in the valley below Machu Picchu, Aguas Claientes wasn't the prettiest town I've ever seen, actually it's pretty ugly. However, it was where we caught the bus up to Machu Picchu and it did have a good vibe from all of the tourists that were excited about being there.

View from our rooftop
Pretty scenery with a bit of a shambles below

Looking down the valley from Machu Picchu towards Aguas Calientes

Nobles and priests residential area

Sunrise on our first morning (we went up twice).

We stayed away from the crowds up at the guard house.

It was hat and glove weather up there.

Behind me is the only round building in Mach Picchu, The Temple of the Sun.

The type of stone used for some of the stonework.

Supposedly they they shaped the stones by hitting them with other stones.

Agricultural terraces, the lower ones were for corn and the upper ones for potatoes.

Stopping to check out the view on our way to the Sun Gate.

The road the busses took us up.

30 minutes of zigzagging up the hill.

There is also a staircase for those fit people who want to walk it.

At the Sun Gate looking down on M.P.

Commoner's residential area with main plaza to the left.

A modern touch.

Workmen continually work at restoring different areas.

Stones, stones, and more stones... and the odd tourist.

Machu Picchu has so many different areas and nooks and cranies that you can get away from other tourists if you want.

A classroom with mirrors for astronomy studies...

...or for tourist photos.

There were a lot of stairs to be climbed.

More stairs, check out the stonework.

Waiting for sunrise on the second morning.

The most famous stone in Machu Picchu, Intihuatana (hitching post of the sun).

It was used to predict the solstices which was used to mark the beginning and end of the agriculture seasons.

Looking down on part of the sacred area.

The Three Window Room is half way up to the left.

Llama rock

Three Window Room

My last view of Machu Picchu.