Winnie and I spent five days in the Andes Mountains of Peru during our April 2025 trip. We were expecting to stay two nights longer but had to cut this part of our trip short due to altitude sickness. We were simply no longer able to breath properly and had to be evacuated back to sea level. I suspect crossing over a mountain pass at 18,008 feet did us in.
During this portion of our trip, we toured several Incan and pre-Incan archeological sites including Machu Picchu, hiked a portion of the Inca Trail, drove over the Andean Baroque Route , and viewed Lake Titicaca (where we had to abruptly leave). Despite our issues with altitude, I continue to be in awe of these majestic mountains and the history of human settlements.
Gratuitous Photo Of An Alpaca
Gratuitous Photo Of an alpaca , because everyone traveling into the Peruvian Andes needs to take alpaca and Llama photos. Alpacas and Llamas are the two primary domesticated animals of the ancient Incas. Related to camels, Llamas are used as pack animals and alpacas for their meat. Both provide wool for traditional Peruvian textiles.
Gratuitous Photo Of A Llama
Gratuitous Photo Of a Llama , because everyone traveling into the Peruvian Andes needs to take alpaca and Llama photos. Alpacas and Llamas are the two primary domesticated animals of the ancient Incas. Related to camels, Llamas are used as pack animals and alpacas for their meat. Both provide wool for traditional Peruvian textiles.
Stone Structures At The Pisaq Archeological Site of Peru
Located in the Sacred Valley region, outside the city of Cuzco, the Pisaq archeological site was once a major farming region of the Incas.
Agricultural Terraces At The Pisaq Archeological Site of Peru
Located in the Sacred Valley region, outside the city of Cuzco, the Pisaq archeological site was once a major farming region of the Incas.
Agricultural Terraces At The Pisaq Archeological Site of Peru
Located in the Sacred Valley region, outside the city of Cuzco, the Pisaq archeological site was once a major farming region of the Incas.
Agricultural Terraces At The Pisaq Archeological Site of Peru
Located in the Sacred Valley region, outside the city of Cuzco, the Pisaq archeological site was once a major farming region of the Incas.
A Stone Trapezoidal Doorway At The Pisaq Archeological Site of Peru
A stone doorway at Pisaq archeological site in Sacred Valley. This stonework features Cellular polygonal masonry, which was used by the Incas in only in the most important structures.
Inca Stonework At The Pisaq Archeological Site of Peru
Massive stonework at the Pisaq Archeological Site in Sacred Valley. This stonework features polygonal blocks trimmed and laid without mortar.
Agricultural Terraces At The Pisaq Archeological Site of Peru
A view of agricultural terraces at the Pisaq Archeological Site, located in the Sacred Valley region of Peru. This area was a major farming region during the time of the Inca empire.
Remains of Stone Buildings At The Pisaq Archeological Site of Peru
Partially reconstructed stone buildings with thatched roofs, at the Pisaq Archeological Site in the Sacred Valley.
Catacombs of Sacred Valley
The Incas. and even pre-Incan civilizations, buried their dead in tombs cut into the cliffs around Pisaq. When the Spanish arrived, they dug out many of these burial sites looking for the gold and other valuables buried with the bodies. Many skeletons of bodies removed are still visible along these cliffs (white spots in this photo).
Agricultural Terraces At The Pisaq Archeological Site of Peru
Located in the Sacred Valley region, outside the city of Cuzco, the Pisaq archeological site was once a major farming region of the Incas.
Civil Engineering Terraces of Ollantaytambo Peru
These are the terraces of Ollantaytambo archeological site. These terraces were constructed as civil engineering supports for the palace complex on top of the mountain. As such, there is gravel and stone fill behind the terrace walls.
The Starting Point of The Inca Trail At 104KM
A walking bridge across the Urubamba River, marking the starting Point of the Inca trail at the104KM marker along the railway line.
Stairway To Heaven at Ollantaytambo Peru
A stairway connecting the bottom of the valley with the top of the mountain. A massive palace structure is located at top of the mountain, and the terraces are designed to support the structures.
A Stone Structure of Ollantaytambo Peru
A stone structure at the Ollantaytambo archeological site.
Remains of a Small Inca Village on the Inca Trail
Just past the access to the Inca Trail at marker 104KM, stands the remains of a small Inca village. This was once a small house. Notice the niches recessed into the walls. This is a typical feature of Incan construction.
Remains of a Small Inca Village on the Inca Trail
Just past the access to the Inca Trail at marker 104KM, stands the remains of a small Inca village. This stone was cut for ceremonial use.
Remains of a Small Inca Village on the Inca Trail
Just past the access to the Inca Trail at marker 104KM, stands the remains of a small Inca village. This is a detail of stone construction of an Incan house.
Remains of a Small Inca Village on the Inca Trail
Just past the access to the Inca Trail at marker 104KM, stands the remains of a small Inca village. This is a detail of stone construction of an Incan house.
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