Peruvian Highlands - Machu Picchu Day 1

A continuing saga of my June 2015 Peru Adventure:

Using Aguas Calentes (see Aguas Calientes) as a base camp for two days on the Machu Picchu mountain, we prepared for Day 1 at the Citadel.  Following is a brief pictorial of the highlights at the Citadel on our first day at the famous ruins.

After a good night's sleep and an enjoyable breakfast of eggs, meats, cheeses, and fruits, our trio collected our box lunches provided by the hotel and headed to the bus station.  Although we did not get on the earliest bus heading to the Machu Picchu citadel departing at 0530, we did catch the 0630 bus and arrived at the Visitor's Center by 0700.

Since we held tickets to climb Huayna Picchu at 10:00, three hours were left for ruins exploration before we needed to queue up near the Sacred Rock.

To orient the photos to the layout of the citadel, below is Moon's map of Machu Picchu.  On our exploration of the site, we used this map as guide to find our way around the ruins.

After passing through the turnstiles, a short walk led to the main Visitor's Entrance.  Rather than follow that path into the ruins, we made a hard left up the hill along a winding trail.  That trail led to the terraces overlooking the Caretaker's Hut.

First glimpse of ruins

Caretaker's Hut looking to Huayna Picchu

Caretaker's Hut from terrace below

First look at the Machu Picchu Citadel
before it is enveloped in sunshine

Machu Picchu Citadel

Citadel clinging to the saddle between two mountains

Main Gate entrance from Inca Trail

Descending down towards the Main Square

Sacred Square.  Notice two different styles of stone work.

Caretaker's Hut in background seen from Main Square
with quarry in foreground.

Intihuatana under ever vigilant watch.
First ever abstract art work?

Main Square with huts near Sacred Rock
 at base of Huayna Picchu

Sacred Rock

With 1000 approaching, it was time to make our way over to the Sacred Rock to queue up for the assault on Huayna Picchu.  Only 400 climbers per day are allowed to scale the mountain in 2 x 200 person groups.  After giving the climb a valiant effort, the combination of the altitude and steepness of the climb proved too much for my wife (Nancy).  Nancy turned back just before the steepest and most treacherous part of the ascent.  In addition to narrow, rocky pathways and steep pitches and traverses, the trail included scaling ladders and passing through a very tight tunnel.  To negotiate the tunnel, I had to take off my backpack and push it ahead of me.

Ascent begins

View of Machu Picchu from the ascent of Huayna Picchu

More climbing with Store House
 at top of photo

View of valley far below

View of Machu Picchu from above on Huayna Picchu

The tunnel looms ahead.

Photo Op of climbers emerging from tunnel

Still more climbing to do

Time for a breather from my perch

Placard just below the summit

View of the Store House from above

Descending is as challenging as the ascent.

Descending backwards on all fours!

Back at the Main Square
for a quick bite of lunch and a rest

Walking along foot path
with Temple of Sun (rounded building) in background.

Feeling a bit fatigued by mid-afternoon, we headed back to the Visitor's Center to catch the shuttle bus back down to Aguas Calientes.  The plan for the next day spent at the Citadel was a hike to Inti Punku (The Sun Gate), a hike to the Incan Drawbridge, and a final stroll around the citadel ruins.