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Turning backwards, it is realized that in this high point of the ruins of the Pilaloma there are other ruins of the two lateral enclosures with their doors facing the Castle. These two enclosures leave a narrow intermediate runner of 0.80m which, coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the entire trapezoid, advances to its major base. Interestingly, the corridor divides into two elongated sections equal to Pilaloma, and goes through the Wanka that marks the multiple tomb. All these elements (geometry, tomb, wanka, corridor, orientation, etc.) have led to interpret the site as a testimony of something more transcendent of the Cañari culture. Indeed, the latest archaeoastronomic studies assert that the corridor and the wanka were associated with the observation of the sun on the summer solstice, on June 21.
Ellipse or Temple of the Sun
Superimposed and attached to a ceremonial rock Cañari (pacarina), a structure of eliptical tower, unique in the Tahuantinsuyo (the name of the four regions of the Inca Empire). It constitutes the maximum expression of the Inca architecture in Ecuador, both for the perfect fit of its cushioned blocks, and for the trapezoidal ornaments known as niches.
It is 37.10 meters long and 12.35 meters wide, with a height that varies from 3.15 to 4.10 meters. Its major axis is oriented almost perfectly in an east - west direction.
Multiple functionalities, studies carried out determine that this space was recorded for stellar observations and determine the start and end dates of the agricultural year such as solstices and equinoxes.
The upper part of the Temple is accessed through a double-door main door, trapezoidal, starting from the resting place, two opposing stairs east and west, which lead to a construction called "Guard Corps".
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It is possible that Ingapirca (“Inca wall” in Quechua) is larger than Machu Picchu, but as Ecuadorians do not have the money to finance the excavations, it is not possible to know for sure. Another difference from Machu Picchu is that the city of Ingapirca has been destroyed. It is not known whether by the Incas, for it not to fall into the hands of the Spaniards, or by the Spaniards themselves, who were looking for gold eventually hidden between the walls of the buildings. Therefore, Ingapirca seems to be much smaller than Machu Picchu, which may not be true.
The city is shaped like a serpent, one of the sacred animals for both cañaris and incas.
But, unlike the Incas, who adored the sun, the cañaris adored the moon and their society was matriarchal. So much so that, at the archaeological site, there is a collective Cañari tomb, in which remains of a woman were found, accompanied by dozens of male and female corpses and abundant offerings of ceramic, stone, copper and shell pieces. . All of this indicates the high social position that this woman had in society at the time.
On the site, there are still traces of several other buildings, such as collkas, circular structures where Andean cereals were stored, and pilaloma, an architectural space originally Cañari and occupied by the Incas, who built houses around a central square, an area possibly used for ceremonial purposes related to the moon. You can also see the bodegas, the ceremonial baths, the large field, the terraces and the rooms, where, for example, the virgins lived. But the most important structure of the complex is the Temple of the Sun.
The Temple of the Sun was built in the Inca fashion. Researchers found that the temple was positioned according to sunlight during the solstices. Its acoustics are also fantastic. It is possible to hear what a person whispers from the opposite side of the temple.
Another point of interest in the place is Cara del Inca. You walk along a path that runs parallel to the ancient Inca trail. Along this path, some stalls are strategically positioned to sell souvenirs to tourists. And then, turning to the right and going down a little bit, you can see a rock that really looks like the face of an Inca.
Ellipse or Temple of the Sun
Superimposed and attached to a ceremonial rock Cañari (pacarina), a structure of eliptical tower, unique in the Tahuantinsuyo (the name of the four regions of the Inca Empire). It constitutes the maximum expression of the Inca architecture in Ecuador, both for the perfect fit of its cushioned blocks, and for the trapezoidal ornaments known as niches.
It is 37.10 meters long and 12.35 meters wide, with a height that varies from 3.15 to 4.10 meters. Its major axis is oriented almost perfectly in an east - west direction.
Multiple functionalities, studies carried out determine that this space was recorded for stellar observations and determine the start and end dates of the agricultural year such as solstices and equinoxes.
The upper part of the Temple is accessed through a double-door main door, trapezoidal, starting from the resting place, two opposing stairs east and west, which lead to a construction called "Guard Corps".
Ellipse or Temple of the Sun
Superimposed and attached to a ceremonial rock Cañari (pacarina), a structure of eliptical tower, unique in the Tahuantinsuyo (the name of the four regions of the Inca Empire). It constitutes the maximum expression of the Inca architecture in Ecuador, both for the perfect fit of its cushioned blocks, and for the trapezoidal ornaments known as niches.
It is 37.10 meters long and 12.35 meters wide, with a height that varies from 3.15 to 4.10 meters. Its major axis is oriented almost perfectly in an east - west direction.
Multiple functionalities, studies carried out determine that this space was recorded for stellar observations and determine the start and end dates of the agricultural year such as solstices and equinoxes.
The upper part of the Temple is accessed through a double-door main door, trapezoidal, starting from the resting place, two opposing stairs east and west, which lead to a construction called "Guard Corps".
If you go off the beaten path, in southern Ecuador, you can find the country's largest Inca archaeological site. This is the site of Ingapirca or "Inca wall." Originally, this area land belonged to the Cañari people who were indigenous to the area. But during the 15th century, the mighty Incas expanded into southern Ecuador and they came in contact with the Cañari. The Cañari resisted the Inca until the early 16th century but eventually fell victim to the ever-expanding Inca Empire.
The Inca and Cañari lived together peacefully for a time and the Cañari were actually allowed to manage their own affairs and their customs. They did have to learn the language of the Inca so that each could communicate with the other.
Ingapirca represents a mixture of these two cultures with a portion that is uniquely Cañari and another that is more Inca in origin. These ruins are not only the largest in Ecuador, but they are also the best preserved archaeological ruins in Ecuador. The original purpose of the settlement is still unknown but it was used a fortress and storehouse to resupply Inca troops as they headed north. It was also used as a place of worship and veneration to the Sun God, Inti. Inti was the most important God of the Incas and this is demonstrated by having the largest and most significant building on the site dedicated to him.
The Temple of the Sun was constructed without mortar, as are most of the structures at Ingapirca and is typical of Inca and Cañari architecture. The stones were carefully chiseled and fashioned together perfectly. Another amazing example of their construction techniques can be found in Cusco, Peru at the site of Saksaywaman. The layout of Ingapirca was in keeping with the Inca beliefs and their understanding of the universe. The temple was constructed in such a way that during the solstices, at exactly the right time of day, sunlight came into the temple through a doorway at the top of the small chamber.
Ellipse or Temple of the Sun
The other side (east) has an identical and glued temple, but with the sunrise.
Exact half between east and west.
Superimposed and attached to a ceremonial rock Cañari (pacarina), a structure of eliptical tower, unique in the Tahuantinsuyo (the name of the four regions of the Inca Empire). It constitutes the maximum expression of the Inca architecture in Ecuador, both for the perfect fit of its cushioned blocks, and for the trapezoidal ornaments known as niches.
It is 37.10 meters long and 12.35 meters wide, with a height that varies from 3.15 to 4.10 meters. Its major axis is oriented almost perfectly in an east - west direction.
Multiple functionalities, studies carried out determine that this space was recorded for stellar observations and determine the start and end dates of the agricultural year such as solstices and equinoxes.
The upper part of the Temple is accessed through a double-door main door, trapezoidal, starting from the resting place, two opposing stairs east and west, which lead to a construction called "Guard Corps".
Under the Wanka, or monolith, it was found a collective tomb of Cañari origin.
It has eleven individual corpses with abundant offerings like ceramics, copper, pins, and spondylus shell beads. The main body is a woman of high status, probably a Cañari priestess. The tomb dates back from 1100 AD and 1500 AD (Antonio Fresco).
***
To the south of the entire monumental complex of Ingapirca is this sector, extremely important not only for its ceremonial historical significance of having been a Cañari temple, and depositary in its central square of a multiple burial with rich funerary content, but also for its curious implementation previously planned to accommodate the natural topography of the land. It is an architectural unit that, looking at it in the aerial photo, its entire floor resembles a huge ogival arch reclining from East to West, or also a trapezoid whose major base is straight, while the minor closes with a wall of semi-elliptical containment.
The nucleus of this unit is defined by a rectangular square (12m x 8.60m) from where 6 enclosures that were built around it were accessed. In that square or Kancha of Ingapirca - Ecuador there is still evidence of a circular floor (4 m2), paved with boulders and associated with a stone trail or stop wanka (1.50m high) that indicate the exact site below of which the Cañaris had buried 11 individuals with their offerings of ceramics, copper, shell (Spondylus), bone and deer antler. This collective tomb, according to the studies carried out, would be related to the Cañari Cashaloma Tradition and probably be a high-ranking woman and her ten companions slaughtered so that they remain her eternal faithful servants.
Gates made of stone in the archaeological complex of Ingapirca - Cañar Province
For the cult of the Sun and attention the Incas Superiors to them existed the Akllahuasi or species of convents that concentrated young women, called "Virgins of the sun". His daily life was dedicated to service activities of the Important Incas, weaving and contemplation; They had no contact with the external environment. In the case of Ingapirca, its residences make up a very peculiar architectural unit, which is linked to the Temple and the Ceremonial Square through a narrow and rectilinear corridor whose ends end in beautiful double jamba trapezoidal doors, of which it remains, almost complete , that of the ceremonial square.
The orientation of this corridor is OE-NO / E-SE and it leads those who visit from the Ceremonial Square to another small internal kancha of the Akllahuasi, which as a terrace allows you to observe the Barranco, the Intihuayco and the entire valley on which you build the Temple of the Incas. From this site and following a labyrinth path you can enter the different residences and courtyards of this unit, but especially you reach the best preserved building of Ingapirca in which the niches are left (3 per side, 6 in the door and 7 at the bottom), the door, the original height of the walls, evidence of plastering, lintels and mooring stones for the roof. Thanks to this 10.95 m long by 5.45 m wide and 2.50 high ceilingless and 0.80 m thick walls, with evidence in situ, it has been possible to virtually rebuild all Ingapirca and interpret its architecture.
On the other hand, the akllahuasi corridor, after the latest archaeological astronomical investigations, has acquired a fundamental importance, as it would be the third and perhaps the most evident in Ingapirca (the first was in Pilaloma, the second among the Palaces) which, given its orientation, location and architectural details, allows to demonstrate with surprising precision the phenomenon of the summer solstice, that is to say on June 21 of each year in Ecuador.
They are walls that, following the curves and topography of the land, made terraces and determine the areas of agricultural use.
Besides the Temple of the Sun, there were other religious features at Ingapirca including called the “baños del Inca.” These were ceremonial baths were filled with water and blessed. Once consecrated, the water was allowed to flow through a small canal to a room built underneath where it fell onto worshippers. The Inca believed it would purify them.
One theory is that this bath was only for the bosses, and for the Inca, they used it before each ceremony.
The second theory is that it served to store water.
Other areas of the site include Pilaloma which was a small plain located in the south-eastern end of the temple. Here, the Incas built enclosures in a space defined by a semi-elliptical wall. In front of Pilaloma are five circular structures used to store various bulk resources.
Pilaloma has been dated as the oldest structure of Ingapirca.
Moray or Muray is an archaeological site in Peru approximately 50 Km (31 mi) northwest of Cuzco on a high plateau at about 3,500 metres (11,500 ft) and just west of the village of Maras. The site contains unusual Inca ruins, mostly consisting of several terraced circular depressions, the largest of which is approximately 30 m (98 ft) deep. As with many other Inca sites, it also has an irrigation system.
The purpose of these depressions is uncertain, but their depth, design, and orientation with respect to wind and sun creates a temperature difference of as much as 15 °C (27 °F) between the top and the bottom. It is possible this large temperature difference was used by the Inca to study the effects of different climatic conditions on crops. Speculation about the site has led to discussion about Moray as an Inca agricultural experiment Its microclimatic conditions and other significant characteristics led to the use of the site as a center for the ancient study of domestication, acclimatization, and hybridization of wild vegetable species that were modified or adapted for human consumption.
Source: Wikipedia. I am unable to add this shot to the map because it has no knowledge of Moray. Could we not have access to a real map, such as Google Maps?
The most important building, not only of the monumental complex of Ingapirca but also of the entire North of the Inca Empire was and is this elliptical Temple whose major axis is 37.10 m by 12.36 m of the minor and 4.10 m Tall. It has 11 parallel rows whose perfectly joined joints and sores present a careful work of padded and overlapping ashlars according to the traditional norms of classical Cuzco architecture. Its construction was due to a process of adaptation of the elliptical design conceived by the Inca architect on the outcrop of a rock that stood out in that place at the top of a deep ravine. This rock was shaped like an ellipse and proceeded to coat it with those symmetrically carved blocks.
Although the external parts of the joints have a perfect union, internally you can check the use of mortar based on a clay with a high cement content and that exists only in Ingapirca which, due to its presentation and color, the farmers follow calling with the quichua terminology of "quillucaca" (yellow droppings). The temple is linked to the Ceremonial Square through a ramp that ascends to a trapezoidal door in the center of the major axis, on its south side. When passing this door, one encounters a beautiful typically Inca niche and the wall of the evil called "guard body", so it must be turned to the sides where two small opposite stairways arise that allow to reach the temple platform. From there the view is wonderful because the entire Hatun Cañar Valley is dominated and the ruins of the monument are appreciated.
The elliptical platform is divided in its central part by the presence of two enclosures whose fronts face opposite, one towards the east and the other towards the west. These two rooms are separated by a mediating wall with evidence of trapezoidal niches or niches; while in its north and south walls, which end in tall gables, two niches the size of a man appear and match the entrance doors to each enclosure. This building with two opposite environments and without windows is considered the sanctuary of the sun. In the opinion of the archaeastronomic scholars, through its doors the rays of the rising sun (eastern room) and the west (western room) entered the niches of the mediating wall, indicating periods of illumination and shadow according to the periodic variations in the output and sunset of the star king. According to Ziólkowski's experiments, the eastern room would have been illuminated in the period of the December solstice, while the western one in the June solstice, a phenomenon interpreted by Aboriginal priests and sages to announce their feasts and the beginning of sowing and harvesting respectively in the fields.
On the northern part of the Temple, that is, in Barranco, four retaining walls, now restored and consolidated, stand out, giving it a total contrast with the south side; because while in this sector everything is flat and accessible, in Barranco everything is pending and rugged. These contrasts generate in the visitor two different attitudes: the one of security and the other of anguish and vertigo. In any case, the danger is annulled with the presence of an extraordinary Inca wall that extends from the Ellipse to the West, separating the cozy spaces of the Akllahuasi from those inaccessible from the precipice. It is the wall that still keeps intact the original finish of its carvers and builders from five hundred years ago.
The akllahuasi corridor, after the latest archaeological astronomical investigations, has acquired a fundamental importance, as it would be the third and perhaps the most evident in Ingapirca (the first was in Pilaloma, the second among the Palaces) which, given its orientation, location and architectural details, allows to demonstrate with surprising precision the phenomenon of the summer solstice, that is to say on June 21 of each year in Ecuador.
The territorial expansion towards Chinchaysuyo (now Ecuador) took place towards the middle of the 15th century and culminated in the first decades of the 16th. It was initiated by the Inca Tupac Yupanqui, son of Pachacuti Inca, the "renovator of the universe" and true builder of the Tahuantinsuyo or Empire of the Incas. The example of the great Tupac Yupanqui was followed by his son Huayna Cápac, until he submitted under his power the entire "universe" then known, with more than 6,000 kilometers of North-South extension and fundamentally affecting the people of the Sierra, since they felt no interest in the low plains of the West Coast and in the endless Amazon rainforests of the East. This empire included on the one hand the widest diversity of peoples, cultures, languages, cults and technologies, and on the other an extraordinary variety of ecological resources; factors with which thanks to an administrative, economic and theocratic system imposed by the Cuzqueños, the largest civilization that has existed in Andean History was structured.
The Incas had no major difficulty in dominating the Cañaris and Puruháes (in Ecuador) with whom they applied a very common strategy in them: the friendly system of reciprocity with the heads of the groups until they achieved their subordination; This method had given them rapid and successful results in Bolivia and Peru; while in the northern villages they had to apply the severe military conquest due to the stubborn resistance they encountered. Testimony of those fierce battles was precisely that of Yahuarcocha (lake of blood) whose waters were dyed red with the blood of the brave Caranquis who succumbed to Huayna Cápac himself.
The invaders captured from the conquered the long tradition and knowledge they had about agriculture, metallurgy, production of luxury products, extraction of the Spondylus shell, salt, coca, etc. Here they found a prodigal nature, with humid rainforest, mangroves and coastline on the coast; wide valleys, grasslands and fertile mountains in the Sierra. This geography counteracted with the ecological systems of the puna, reduced fertile spaces, or the extensive coastal deserts that predominate in the Central and Southern Andes, characteristic of present-day Peru.
Along a central corridor, is a group of buildings thought to be a "House for Women" or “Virgins of the Sun.”
Women, who lived here were chosen as children to worked for the Royal Family and keep the temple clean. They were typically daughters of important members of the community and considered very beautiful.
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Acllahuasi, term kichwa (Aclla = Escogida, Huasi = house 'House of the Chosen'), women dedicated directly to the service of the temple and their occupants, in charge of spinning, embroidering and making textiles, in addition to preparing food for the Inca and priests .
Architecturally it is about six rooms built with stones of good Inca stonework, arranged around several internal courtyards. Most of them are in foundations, unlike the main room located at the east end of the complex, which preserves the walls and access door in its entirety, inside it can be seen nineteen trapezoidal niches that decorate it.
One of the most interesting features of Ingapirca is the Moonlight Calendar. The cañari had a sophisticated calendar system. They used a large rock called a “tacita rock” onto which holes of different depths were formed. These holes were filled with water and the Incas were able to observe the moonlight as it was reflected by the water. Over time, they would see similarities in the reflection based on the reflection's location in the water and the different times during every lunar month of the year.
Moray, located in the Sacred Valley of Peru. The current theory is that the large concentric rings created a series of different microclimates. Studies have shown that many of the terraces contain soil that must have been imported from other parts of the region. The temperature at the top of the pits varies from that at the bottom by as much as 15ºC, creating a series of micro-climates that apparently match many of the varied conditions across the Incan empire, leading to the conclusion that the rings were used as a test bed to see what crops could grow where.
This is a view into the valley below Machu Picchu, Peru. To get to Machu Picchu, you have to get to Ollantaytambo usually by road. It's also on the Inca Trail which requires a four day hike from Cusco to MP. The modern town of Ollantaytambo is built on the foundations of the old Incan town and features a large important archeological site of its own. From there you take a train down the valley following the Urubamba River for about one and half hours to the modern town of Michu Picchu at the bottom of the valley. On the way the climate changes from arid to semitropical cloud forest. From there you take a bus for about 40 minutes which climbs an unpaved switchback road with hairpin turns up to the top of the mountain from the river at the bottom. It's a hair raising ride. The week before we were there a bus lost control and plunged from one level of the road to the level below; over 20 people suffered broken bones or worse. They space the visitors out so you have a reserved window of time so you have to arrive by that time or you don't get in. It was a full 12 hour day to get there and back. We got back to Ollantaytambo about 8:30pm.
The famous Incan ruins bathing in the sun's rays after being covered by fog for the most part of the early morning.
The settlement at the archaeological ruin at Huchuy Qusqo dates back to between 1000 and 1400 CE. In the early 1400s, according to the Spanish chronicler Pedro de Cieza de León, it became a royal estate of the semi-mythical Viracocha, (c. 1410-1438), the eighth Inca ruler. The Inca Empire did not as a common practice tax the income or production of its citizens, but rather controlled land and labor. Thus, Inca leaders acquired large royal estates to increase their power and wealth and that of their descendants who inherited the estates.[4] Royal estates served also as elegant country palaces and, at times, fortresses to fend off rivals for power. Thus, the name Huchuy Qosqo, "Little Cusco", for a royal estate or government center modeled on the Inca capital. ~Wikipedia
After a long vertical hike up, we were rewarded with this view of the Machu Picchu ruins from the top of Huyana Picchu
A trip to Macchu Picchu is not complete without a "smiling" llama greeting the tourists. It walks by the tourists and continue on its way doing its own thing. Llamas, as we were told by the tour guide, spit when they feel threatened (thankfully it did not as nobody bothered him, except for little kids who did attempt but were restrained by their parents). But heck, it stinks to high heavens - somebody give it a bath lol
The Temple of Three Windows is located in the Royal sector of the Incan ruins. The stones here are heavier, many of them weighing up to 3 tons. The three windows frame peaks that face Machu Picchu. Peru, South America
Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel situated on a mountain ridge 2,430 metres (7,970 ft) above sea level. It is the most familiar icon of Inca civilization. The Incas built the estate around 1450 but abandoned it a century later at the time of the Spanish Conquest. Although known locally, it was not known to the Spanish during the colonial period and remained unknown to the outside world until American historian Hiram Bingham brought it to international attention in 1911.
Wikipedia..
Great lighting on an Empty Machu Picchu. And early morning start (5AM) got us some amazing opportunities for shots among the clouds.
Bolivia is a landlocked country located in western-central South America.
There is one thing the photograph must contain, the humanity of the moment.
Taking an image, freezing a moment, reveals how rich reality truly is.
Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving.
A country of extremes, landlocked Bolivia is the highest and most isolated country in South America.
La Paz, Bolivia, is the most extraordinary city.
Located at the "Sacred Plaza", the main temple or temple Mayor of Machu Picchu. This square includes the two most important temples of this city: the Temple of the three Windows and the main Temple of Machu Picchu. Peru, South America
Friendly Llama photo bomb in front of Machu Picchu!
Capturing my favourite Machu Picchu Llama Shot
A blog about my week at Machu Picchu can be found here:
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Bolivia is a landlocked country located in western-central South America.
A country of extremes, landlocked Bolivia is the highest and most isolated country in South America.
La Paz, Bolivia, is the most extraordinary city.
La Paz, city, administrative capital of Bolivia, west-central Bolivia. It is situated some 68 km southeast of Lake Titicaca.
Sitting in a valley in the Andes Mountains, La Paz is the city that touches the clouds.
Color is very much about atmosphere and emotion and the feel of a place.
A good color image is a good B&W image.
El Alto is the second-largest city in Bolivia, located adjacent to La Paz in Pedro Domingo Murillo Province on the Altiplano highlands. El Alto is today one of Bolivia's fastest-growing urban centers, with an estimated population of 943,558 in 2020.
La Paz, city, administrative capital of Bolivia, west-central Bolivia. It is situated some 68 km southeast of Lake Titicaca.
Sitting in a valley in the Andes Mountains, La Paz is the city that touches the clouds.
Bolivia is a landlocked country located in western-central South America.
A country of extremes, landlocked Bolivia is the highest and most isolated country in South America.
A small bird landed on the window ledge of this small building within Machu Picchu!
A blog about my week at Machu Picchu can be found here:
If you would like to use any of my photos please contact me and ask permission first.
If you want to look at more of my photography you can check my website and social media links below:
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“The stones here speak to me, and I know their mute language. Also, they seem deeply to feel what I think.” ~Heinrich Heine
The sun had started to set in at this little town. The inca ruins in the mountains surrounding this town started to catch my eye. This town has a lot to offer if you are looking for inca history. Ollantaytambo served as the main location for inca resistance against the Spaniards. The Ollantaytambo Fortress, built in 15th century, is the main attraction for exploration here which deeply rooted within the mountains around this town. #Travel #Peru #IncaRuins #CanonPhotography
Bolivia is a landlocked country located in western-central South America.
La Paz, Bolivia, is the most extraordinary city.
La Paz, city, administrative capital of Bolivia, west-central Bolivia. It is situated some 68 km southeast of Lake Titicaca.
Sitting in a valley in the Andes Mountains, La Paz is the city that touches the clouds.
A country of extremes, landlocked Bolivia is the highest and most isolated country in South America.
There is one thing the photograph must contain, the humanity of the moment.
Taking an image, freezing a moment, reveals how rich reality truly is.
Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving.
Inca Trail, leading to Machu Picchu, Peru, South America.
A blog about my week at Machu Picchu can be found here:
If you would like to use any of my photos please contact me and ask permission first.
If you want to look at more of my photography you can check my website and social media links below:
www.facebook.com/geraintrowlandphotography
www.instagram.com/geraint_rowland_photography/
La Paz, city, administrative capital of Bolivia, west-central Bolivia. It is situated some 68 km southeast of Lake Titicaca.
Sitting in a valley in the Andes Mountains, La Paz is the city that touches the clouds.
Bolivia is a landlocked country located in western-central South America.
A country of extremes, landlocked Bolivia is the highest and most isolated country in South America.
Iconic view of Machu Picchu from my recent trip to Peru. I spent three weeks traveling around Peru with one of the major highlights being my trip to Machu Picchu.
Post by Stephen Ball Photography.
Please don't use this image on websites, or other media without my explicit permission, blogs OK with notification and a link back, thanks! ©2016 Stephen Ball Photography, All rights reserved.
Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca site located 2,430 metres (7,970 ft) above sea level and was built around 1450, at the height of the Inca Empire. It was abandoned just over 100 years later, in 1572, as a belated result of the Spanish Conquest.
Ollantaytambo is a town and an Inca archaeological site in southern Peru some 60 kilometers northwest of the city of Cusco. It is located at an altitude of 2,792 meters (9,160 feet) above sea level in the district of Ollantaytambo, province of Urubamba, Cusco region.
During the Inca Empire, Ollantaytambo was the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuti who conquered the region, built the town and a ceremonial center.
Moray, Sacred Valley, Peru, South America.
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