1. Perú
Machu Picchu

4. Machu Picchu

5. What is Machu Picchu?
An ancient Incan city build high up in the mountains
One of the best preserved Incan cities
Constructed in1450 by the Incans
Located 50 miles from Cuzco, hidden in mountains
It was never found nor destroyed by the Spaniards (Pizarro).
Rediscovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, from Yale University
Wayna Picchu (young mountain), Machu Picchu (old mountain)
Reached by the Incan trail on foot (or now by bus)

6. Why was Machu Picchu built?
Archeologists discovery of the many temples: sun, moon, condor, three windows, etc.
Most believe it was the home of Incan ruling class and priests (temples, palaces and observatories)
Incans performed religious ceremonies in Machu Picchu
Huacas – places where Inti and Pachamama were worshipped (typically in high mountains)

7. The Ruins

12. Inca Trail leading up to Machu Picchu

13. The Inca Trail
The most important Incan road was the Camino Real, or the Royal Road.
A length of 5,200 km (3,230 mi)
It began in Quito, Ecuador, passed through Cusco, and ended in what is now Tucumán, Argentina.
The Camino Real follows the mountain ranges of the Andes, with altitudes of more than 15,000 feet
Because of trail erosion, the Peruvian government limits the number of people who can hike the trial to 500 people a day, including guides and porters
You can trek up to Machu Picchu, which takes around three or four days

15. Intihuatana Stone
Many believe Machu Picchu was an astronomical observatory
Intihuatana Stone – Called “the hitching post of the sun”
On March 21st and September 21st at noon, the sun stands almost directly above the pillar, creating no shadow at all, so is "tied" to the rock.
The Incas held ceremonies at the stone in which they "tied the sun" to halt its northward movement in the sky
It told them when to plant and to harvest crops

16. Intihuatana Stone

17. Wayna Picchu In Quechua, it means "Young Peak"
The taller mountain next to Machu Picchu
The Incans built a trail up the side of the Wayna Picchu and built temples and terraces on its top
According to locals, the top of the mountain was the residence for the high priest and the local virgins
Every morning before sunrise, the high priest would signal the coming of the new day
The climb is very steep and dangerous and takes about 1 hour each way

18. Wayna Picchu