Machu and Huayna Picchu Photos
I have now uploaded photos of Machu Picchu, and my trek up Huayna Picchu (with comments). They are in separate albums, as I felt it just makes sense to break them up. Machu Picchu effectively runs from North to South, with the Inca Trail coming in from the Southeast. Huayna Picchu sits at the Northern end of the city. The Urubamba River & Valley snake around the mountain on which Machu Picchu sits, nearly surrounding it.
Machu Picchu from Huayna Picchu
I was using my Nikon D70 camera with either my standard lens or the Sigma DG 70-300mm lens. I had paid to climb Huayna Picchu as well. This was as much a spiritual adventure as it was a hike. On the one hand, I am scared to death of heights. On the other hand, I just love climbing mountains. Go figure. This was a climb of about 360m (1180ft) higher than Machu Picchu, and took me just under an hour to get to the base of the top. Huayna Picchu’s actual elevation is 2720m (8920ft).
The climb up involves a stairway, but I confess I wish the Incas had invented the elevator. I – and most others climbing with me – had to stop every so often to catch our breath. The views from Huayna Picchu were so stunning that I practically forgot my fear of heights. Or, rather, I was so busy with my camera I barely paid attention. I confess, though, there were a few points at which I was pretty nervous. Climbing down down from the top, climbing down by the Moon Temple and coming back down the terraces to the trail. The trail itself isn’t that scary, but you do have to be careful nevertheless. I slipped on a step and landed on my butt (ouch!). Thank goodness I didn’t slip on the slope! The steel cables are there for a reason, but they do not cover the whole trail.
Anyway, I hope you’ll get some idea of the size and beauty of Machu Picchu and be able to enjoy the dangerous beauty that is Huayna Picchu. As for me, the trek itself was priceless.
