Machu Picchu: An experience beyond words or photos
November 6, 2013
The day to visit Machu Picchu finally arrived, and it dawned sunny and beautiful. We arose early, ate a quick breakfast, rubbed on sunscreen, filled our daypacks with water bottles and snacks and headed for the bus that takes tourists up a road of hairpin curves to the world famous site. Even the bus ride up is breathtaking, with steep, green mountains rising on all sides. When we arrived and stood looking out over the famous ruins, we understood why Incan royalty chose to build a city and spend time there.
Rudy, Joshua, Jacob, Landon, Alan, Becca and Lauren unfurl a Goshen College banner at Machu Picchu.
Our guide, Oswaldo Palomino Alvarado, explained what we were seeing as we visited the dwellings, worship places and work areas of the restored city, which was most likely a retreat for Incan royalty and a religious center where festival days and astronomical events were celebrated. He explained that the American professor and adventurer Hiram Bingham made the remote site known to the outside world, in 1911, through his famed expeditions.
Students hike to a view point at Machu Picchu.
In the late morning we began our climb of Wayna Picchu, the steep mountain that towers over the ruins. The 360-degree views from the top were worth the huffing and puffing up the steep, high-altitude climb on ancient Inca stone steps (Machu Picchu is at an elevation of almost 8,000 feet).
Alan at the summit of Wayna Picchu.
Then back down for more exploring this unforgettable World Cultural Heritage site and one of the seven wonders of the modern world. It was a day we will never forget. We will let our photographs tell the story, although as more than one student remarked, photos do not do justice to Machu Picchu.
A timeless image: magnificent Machu Picchu.Jacob, Rudy, Becca, Alan and other students enjoying the Peru Rail ride from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu.Aboard Peru Rail’s Vistadome train headed to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu.A beautiful glimpse of the river beside the Peru Rail tracks.Headed to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu.Jacob and Rudy abroad the Vistadome train.SST co-leader Judy Weaver abroad the Vistadome train.The bus ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.Students arrive at Machu Picchu.Students hike to a view point at Machu Picchu.A first glimpse of Machu Picchu.Jacob and Alan capture their first magical moments at Machu Picchu.Lauren and Landon take in the beauty of Machu Picchu.A timeless image: magnificent Machu Picchu.A llama ignores the scenery at macho Picchu.Rudy, Joshua, Jacob, Landon, Alan, Becca and Lauren unfurl a Goshen College banner at Machu Picchu.Rudy, Joshua, Jacob, Landon, Alan, Becca and Lauren at Machu Picchu.Lauren captures an image of Becca.Machu Picchu.SST Service Coordinator Wilfredo Villavicencio at Machu Picchu.Lauren, Becca and Landon wander amid the llamas at Machu Picchu.Landon makes a new friend at Machu Picchu.Inside a structure at Machu Picchu.Terraces at Machu Picchu.Landon, Rudy, Jacob, Joshua, Alan, Becca and Lauren with SST co-leaders Judy Weaver and Richard Aguirre.SST co-leaders Judy Weaver and Richard Aguirre at Machu Picchu.Oswaldo Palomino Alvarado, our expert tour guide, at Machu Picchu.Machu Picchu.Restoration work at macho Picchu.Landon tours Machu Picchu.Terraces at Machu Picchu.Joshua, Becca, Jacob, Lauren and Rudy tour Machu Picchu.Oswaldo Palomino Alvarado, our expert tour guide, shows how the Inca shaped and placed a stone where one could gaze upon the cardinal directions.A bloom at Machu Picchu.The Inca shaped this stone to represent the mountain behind it.Wayna Picchu, the mountain which rises behind Machu Picchu. A trail can be climbedd to its peak at 8,920 feet.A closer view of Wayna Picchu, which rises behind Machu Picchu. A trail can be climbedd to its peak at 8,920 feet.Some information and guidelines for those seeking to climb to the summit of Wayna Picchu.A view from the trail on the way to the summit of Wayna Picchu.Another view from the trail used to climb to the summit of Wayna Picchu.Students relax after climbing to the summit of Wayna Picchu, at 8,920 feet. The summit is 1,180 feet higher than the Machu Picchu ruins.Jacob at the summit of Wayna Picchu.Joshua at the summit of Wayna Picchu.Landon at the summit of Wayna Picchu.Lauren at the summit of Wayna Picchu.Becca at the summit of Wayna Picchu.Rudy at the summit of Wayna Picchu.Alan at the summit of Wayna Picchu.Students rest after descending the summit of Wayna Picchu.Becca and Jacob tour Machu Picchu. Behind them is Wayna Pichhu.Restoration work at Machu Picchu.Restoration work at Machu Picchu.Oswaldo Palomino Alvarado, our expert tour guide, shows a representation of a condor at Machu Picchu. Before him, carved in stone, is the condor’s head and body and behind him on the walls is its wings.Inca workers installed South America’s first indoor toilet, with running water at Machu Picchu for the Inca royalty. All it lacks now is the throne!Precision stonework at Machu Pichu.Among the inhabitants of Machu Picchu are viscacha, small rodent-like creatures, related to chinchillas, which resemble rabbits.A vischacha pauses at Machu Picchu. The small rodent-like animal is related to the chinchilla, but looks like a rabbit.Another inhabitant of Machu Picchu.A plaque commemorates Hiram Bingham, who brought Machu Picchu to the attention of the world in 1911.Machu Pichu, an unforgettable destination.One last look at Machu Picchu.