A few years ago I was lucky enough to spend a week at Machu Picchu taking photographs for MINCETUR, the tourist department of the Peruvian Government. Machu Picchu is a 15th Century Inca citadel located in the Cusco region of Peru above the sacred valley. Machu Picchu was declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. In 2007, Machu Picchu was voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
For seven days I was based in Machu Picchu Pueblo, the village below Machu Picchu, also known as Aguas Calientes. From here I would visit the various peaks surrounding Machu Picchu including: Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain and Putukusi (also spelled Putucusi). In addition to this I also hiked the last two days of the Inca Trail which finishes at Machu Picchu, the mysterious "Lost City of the Incas". Click through the slideshow below for some images I took from my time at Machu Picchu:
I had an amazing week at Machu Picchu, and would recommend spending a few days there if you have time to fully explore the area. With more time you can visit the various peaks and have a much better chance of experiencing good weather. The day I climbed Huayna Picchu there was very little visibility for most of the day. I personally believe that the best views of Machu Picchu itself were from Machu Picchu mountain. The most exciting and least busy of all the peaks was Putukusi with only a handful of people seen the entire walk. It is not for the faint hearted though with several huge and steep ladders at the start of the hike (see below). If you only have time for Machu Picchu try and make it up on one of the first buses to catch the sun rise. Click through the carousel below for more images from Machu Picchu:
More of my Machu Picchu photographs can be found on my website, Instagram, Facebook page and my Flickr account. If you are interested in purchasing any prints, using an image online or would like further information please send me an email at: geraintrowlandphotography@gmail.com.