Peru - PE - PER - PER - South America

The setting sun illuminates the mountains overlooking Pisac, an Incan village that is the site of some of the largest terraces in the Sacred Valley.

The rugged, mineral-rich Andes support some of the world's biggest mines (gold, silver, copper, and more). This image looks down the bull's-eye of Peru's Toquepala copper mine, a steep sided and stepped open-pit mine. Mid-afternoon sunlight on the arid slopes of the central Andes mountains provides an accent to the mine contours. At the surface, the open pit is 2.5 km (1.5 mi) across, and it descends more than 700 m (2,300 ft) into the earth. A dark line on the wall of the pit is the main access road to the bottom. Spoil dumps of material mined from the pit are arranged in tiers along the northwest lip of the pit. Numerous angular leaching fields appear lower right, and the railroad to the coast is a line that exits the image center left. The railroad was built to export Toquepala's copper and connects the coastal port of Ilo, 95 km (60 mi) to the southwest. Photo courtesy of NASA.

The Nasca Lines, located in the desert coastal plain of Peru 400 km south of Lima, were first observed in the 1920s when commercial airlines began operating in the area. Clearly seen from the air, the Lines were made by removing the iron-oxide coated pebbles which cover the surface of the desert. The lighter shade of the exposed ground contrasts with the color of the gravel. South of the Nasca Lines, archaeologists have now uncovered the lost city of the Line-builders. Known as Cahuachi, it was built nearly 2,000 years ago and was mysteriously abandoned 500 years later. Image courtesy of NASA.

Aerial view contrasting snow and semi-arid terrain in the Andes.

Aerial shot of snow-capped Andes Mountains between Lima and Cusco.

Small mountain lake in the Andes.

Valley in the Andes Mountains.

A typical large town in the Sacred Valley (Urumbamba Valley) between Cusco and Machu Picchu.

Bird of Paradise plants in Aguas Calientes (Hot Waters), the closest modern-day town to the ancient mountaintop city of Machu Picchu.

Trains bring tourists and supplies to Aguas Calientes (Hot Waters), also known by the name of Machupicchu Pueblo.

A train passing through the center of Aguas Calientes.

Archaeologists think Machu Picchu was built as an estate for Inca Emperor Pachacuti, who reigned from 1438 to 1472. His statue dominates a square in Aguas Calientes.

Murals reflecting an area's history or other subjects of interest to the locals are a common sight in Peru. This mural is in Aguas Calientes.

The mural of Machu Picchu in Aguas Calientes honors the Incas.

One of numerous markets in Aguas Calientes.

A bus taking tourists to the sacred Incan city of Machu Picchu passes a shopkeeper wheeling his wares to Aguas Calientes (Hot Waters), the nearest access point to the mountaintop city.

Urubamba River alongside Aguas Calientes, 6 km (3.5 miles) from Machu Picchu.

Cave mouths of all sizes are a common feature in the Andes Mountains. This sight is along the Inca Trail between the Machu Picchu ruins and the Sun Gate (Intipunko).

The Inca Trail is typically narrow with a steep incline on one side and steep decline on the other side.

A section of the Inca Trail near the Machu Picchu ruins. The Trail between Cusco, the Inca's ancient capital, and the ruins are approximately 80 km (50 mi).

Steep rock steps on the Inca Trail are common. The majority of the trail's stones date back to the Inca Empire.

This panaramic view highlights the steep hills that buses and hikers traverse to reach the ruins.

Machu Picchu (meaning “Old Mountain” in Quechua) in the foreground and Huayna Picchu (meaning “Young Mountain”) on the right are both mountains in Peru that rise above Machu Picchu, the city of the Incas. The Incas built a trail up the side of Huayna Picchu and temples and terraces at its top. Huayna Picchu is 2,693 m (8,835ft) high, making it approximately 260 m (850 ft) taller than Machu Picchu.

The Urubamba River bends around Huayna Picchu's base.

The Incas built temples and terrances at the top of Huayna Picchu, approximately 2,720 m (8,920 ft) above sea level.

The Inca Trail ends at Intipunku (Sun Gate).

Andes vista viewed from Intipunku (Sun Gate) at Machu Picchu.

Located high in the Andes, and not rediscovered until the early part of the 20th century, the spectacular Inca ruins of Machu Picchu are one of the showpieces of South America.

Machu Picchu has been declared a World Heritage Site and was named one of the "New" Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. The site is situated roughly 2,430 m (7,970 ft) above sea level.

Many of the former housing units of the city of Machu Picchu are visible in the foreground of this image.

Excavation at some of the housing units at Machu Picchu.

Houses near the Sacred Plaza of Machu Picchu, approximately 2,430 m (7,970 ft) above sea level.

A section of housing is seen in front of Machu Picchu's Sacred Plaza, with the Intiwatana (Hitching Post of the Sun) above the plaza and the Western Urban Section to its right, where llamas roam.

The Intiwatana at Machu Picchu is a notable ritual stone that has been described as an astronomic clock, a type of sundial, or a calendar of the Inca. The Inca believed the stone held the sun in its place along its annual path in the sky. The stone aligns with the sun's position during the winter solstice (June 21), casting its longest shadow on its southern side. At midday on the equinoxes the sun stands almost above the pillar, casting no shadow at all. In Quechua, "inti" is the name of "the sun" and "wata-" is a verb root meaning "to tie or hitch (up)." The "-na" suffix indicates a tool or place. Hence inti-wata-na is literally an instrument or place to "tie up the sun," often colorfully conveyed as "The Hitching Post of the Sun."

The Intiwatana at Machu Picchu is a notable ritual stone that has been described as an astronomic clock, a type of sundial, or a calendar of the Inca. The Inca believed the stone held the sun in its place along its annual path in the sky. The stone aligns with the sun's position during the winter solstice (June 21), casting its longest shadow on its southern side. At midday on the equinoxes the sun stands almost above the pillar, casting no shadow at all. In Quechua, "inti" is the name of "the sun" and "wata-" is a verb root meaning "to tie or hitch (up)." The "-na" suffix indicates a tool or place. Hence inti-wata-na is literally an instrument or place to "tie up the sun," often colorfully conveyed as "The Hitching Post of the Sun."

Llamas in a plaza at Machu Picchu.

The sprawling site of Machu Picchu viewed from a somewhat different angle. Shown are the site's extensive terraces, which were not only used for agriculture but also prevented soil erosion.

A panoramic view of Machu Picchu showing this UNESCO World Heritage Site in its dramatic mountainous setting. The photo was taken from the site's terraces.

The Incas built terraces to stabilize the mountainsides and to grow crops.

Thatched roofs have been restored on some of the buildings at Machu Picchu.

A house at the Machu Picchu ruins with a new thatched roof, modeled after the Inca roof design.

The inside of a Machu Picchu house with a thatched roof showing the traditional shape of Inca windows.

The inside of a large Machu Picchu structure with a thatched roof.

This view of the Andes from Machu Picchu gives some idea of just how high up the Inca citadel is situated.

Wall with trapezoidal windows in Machu Picchu.

Impressive archway in Machu Picchu. The Incas constructed their windows and doors in a trapezoidal form (wider at the base and narrower at the top) because this shape provided greater stability during earthquakes.

The Temple of the Sun or Torreon at Machu Picchu.

The quipu is a system of knotted cords the Incas and their predecessors in the Andean region used for accounting and storing massive amounts of data important to their civilizations. The Inca Empire was centered in what is today southern Peru and important members of their society were the Quipucamayocs (literally "quipu specialists") who could interpret the quipus. Approximately 1,000 quipus survive in museums and private collections around the world. Their accounting (numerical) function has been deciphered; work continues on clarifying their literary function.

Huaca Pucllana is a great adobe and clay pyramid preserved in central Lima. Built from seven staggered platforms, it served as an important ceremonial and administrative center for the Lima Culture, a society that developed along the Peruvian central coast between the years A.D. 200-700. A display at the Huaca recreates a ritual offering vessel.

Located in the heart of Lima,this archeological site is one of several Pre-Columbian structures built in Lima's earliest days by members of the indigenous Pre-Incan Lima Culture . Composed entirely of clay and adobe, Huaca Pucllana served as a ceremonial and administrative center between A.D. 200 and 700.

Interior of the Basilica Metropolitan Cathedral of Lima. Construction of the cathedral dates from 1535.

Built on the site of an Incan shrine, the baroque-style Basilica Metropolitan Cathedral of Lima was finished in its current form in the late 1700s. The cathedral was also home to the archbishop of Lima and houses a museum of church history. Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizzaro's remains are on display in a coffin in a glass sarcophagus.

The Basilica Metropolitan Cathedral of Lima located on the Plaza Mayor in downtown Lima. Construction on the cathedral, which is dedicated to the apostle Saint John the Evangelist, began in 1535; the structure has undergone many expansions and transformations over the ensuing centuries.

The Basilica and Convent of San Francisco are located in the historic city center of Lima. The current church was built in the 1600s after an earthquake destroyed the original structure. In the catacombs below the church are the remains of ~70,000 people, with their bones arranged by type in an artistic manner.

Adjacent to the Plaza Mayor de Lima sits the ornate Governor's Palace, also known as the House of Pizzaro, who founded Lima as his capital in 1535. The palace is currently the official residence of the Peruvian President and the seat of government.

The Government Palace (Palacio de Gobierno), located on Lima's main square (Plaza Mayor), is the seat of the executive branch of the Peruvian Government and the official residence of the president. A number of ceremonial guard units of the Peruvian military are stationed at the Palace, and participate in daily changing-of-the-guard and flag raising/lowering activities.

At the Presidential Palace in Lima. The military band at the Palace performs at noon daily.

At night, the Magic Waters Circuit in Lima comes alive with large illuminated fountain displays choreographed to music. Visitors can enjoy over a dozen different fountain displays across this park in the center of Lima.

With 13 separate fountains, the Magic Waters Circuit in Lima was named the largest water fountain park in the world by The Guinness Book of Records. The fountains are illuminated at night, many with changing colors and choreographed movements.

Located along the Pacific coast, Lima’s climate is surprisingly temperate for an equatorial capital. Although it rarely rains, days are often cloudy. Steep cliffs separate the shoreline from the city located on the bluffs above the sand.

The Sacred Valley of the Inca in the Andes is also known as the Urubamba Valley after the river that meanders through it. The Sacred Valley begins about 20 km (12 mi) north of the Inca capital of Cusco.

Cliff dwellings in the Sacred Valley.

Salineras de Maras in the Sacred Valley is the site of ancient salt pans, first developed by the Wari culture and subsequently by the Inca. Today, there are more than 5,000 salt pans near Maras, almost all less than 4 sq m (43 sq ft) in size and no more than about 30 cm (1 ft) deep. Each pan is owned and mined by a local family of the Salineras community. The salt is collected and sold in local shops or in nearby towns. Although the salt pans are man-made, the water that is channeled through them comes from a subterranean natural brine spring that bubbles up near the small town.

This huge series of concentric terraces in Moray (just west of the salt pans of Maras) may well have served as an ancient agricultural research station. The distance from the highest to lowest ring is 150 m (490 ft), which allowed the Wari and later the Inca peoples to experiment with growing crops at different altitudes and exposure to the sun. The circular bottom is so well drained that it never completely floods, no matter how hard the rain.

The Moray Terraces, an Inca archaeological site on a high plateau in the Andes, is known for its terraced circular depressions with irrigation systems built by the Inca. Their purpose is unclear, but they may have served as an ancient agricultural research station where the Wari, and later the Inca, experimented with different crops and sun exposure to maximize crop production.

Central wall of the huge two-story Inca Temple of Viracocha at Raqchi; the remains are some 100 m long and 14 m high. The original building consisted of a central adobe wall some 18 to 20 meters in height with a cut stone foundation base. Windows and doors allowed passage from one side to the other. The central wall was flanked on either side by a row of eleven columns. The foundations for both the wall and the columns were constructed of classic high Inca stonework with the remaining height built of adobe. (The 4 m height of the wall foundation survives, but most of the column heights have been reduced.) Prior to its destruction by the Spaniards, the temple had what was likely the largest single gable roof in the Incan Empire, with its peak at the central wall and stretching out over the columns on each side. The site is at 3,480 m above sea level and 110 km from Cusco.

A festival in Cusco. The city served as the capital of the Inca Empire from the 13th until the 16th-century Spanish conquest.

A festival in Cusco. Between the 13th and 16th centuries, the city served as the capital of the Kingdom of Cusco (ca. 1200 to 1438) and later of the Inca Empire (1438-1533).

Buildings off the main square in Cusco.

Part of the facade of the Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús (Church of the Society of Jesus) in Cusco's Plaza de Armas, the city center. Built atop an Inca palace, it is one of the best examples of Spanish Baroque architecture in Peru and its design greatly influenced the development of Baroque architecture in the South Andes. Begun in 1576, the church was badly damaged in an earthquake in 1650; its rebuilding was completed in 1673.

The Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus (Church of the Society of Jesus) on the Plaza de Armas (Parade Square) in Cusco. The historic Jesuit church is built on the site of an Inca palace and is one of the best examples of Spanish Baroque architecture in Peru. Its construction began in 1576, but the structure was badly damaged in an earthquake in 1650. Rebuilding of the church was completed in 1668.

A colonial building and the Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus (Church of the Society of Jesus) on the Plaza de Armas (Parade Square) in Cusco.

Ancient Andean civilizations are well known for their monumental architecture, which reached its height in the Inca Empire of the 15th and 16th centuries. The photo shows a close up of a typical Inca wall in Cusco (the Incan capital city) constructed without mortar and with no spaces between the enormous blocks of stone. Exactly how the blocks were fitted remains unclear, but we know they were constructed by human ingenuity - not ancient aliens!

Mural in Cusco celebrating the centennial of the "rediscovery" of Machu Picchu in 1911.

The Gothic-Renaissance style Cusco Cathedral was built in the 1500s in Cusco’s main square on the site of an Incan temple; it is today part of the World Heritage Zone of Cusco. The church's official name is the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin.

At an altitude of over 3,050 m (10,000 ft), Cusco is the primary starting point for visits to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. Built in an Andean valley, roads and houses climb up the rims of the surrounding hills.

The famous 12-sided stone sits in the center of an Incan-era wall in the heart of Cusco. The joints are so tight, it is impossible to insert anything between the stones.

Cusco is home to many historic colonial-era churches. The Inglesia San Francisco houses a four-cloister convent and catacombs. This second church on the site dates to the 1600s.

The Jardin Sagrado (Sacred Garden) in Cusco repurposed Incan stones to construct a convent and garden. The garden features native plants and Incan sculptures and terraces.

This site at La Raya is the highest point on the road from Cusco to Puno at 4,325 m (14,189 feet). The snow-covered high Andes may be seen in the distance.

Lake Titicaca on the Peru-Bolivia border is the highest navigable lake in the world at 3,805 m. The lake has floating islands made from totora reed layers that are replenished constantly.

There are many floating islands on the lake. The residents construct figures made of reeds to attract visitors.

Small community on a floating island on Lake Titicaca.

Colorful reed boats with viewing platforms take visitors on tours of Lake Titicaca.

The emperor tamarin monkey is native to the southwest Amazon Basin, an area encompassing Peru, Brazil, and Bolivia. The primate is believed to be named after the German Emperor Wilhelm II who also wore a white moustache. Like all varieties of tamarin monkeys, the emperor tamarin has narrow hands with non-opposable thumbs and claws rather than nails. These tamarins are omnivorous and primarily eat fruit, but may also feed on insects, gum, nectar, and leaves. The monkey faces a decline in population due to deforestation and human encroachment. Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian National Zoo.

A cooperative alpaca pauses for a photo. Indigenous to the Peruvian Andes, alpacas provide much of the wool used for traditional woven garments in Peru.

Chinchero was the location of a large Incan town. Along the edge of the town, the Inca built large terraces to allow them to safely plant crops on the mountain slopes.

When the Spanish arrived in today's Chinchero in the 1500s, they constructed a church in the Incan main square. The stone wall was constructed by the Inca with no mortar, but the stones fit snugly together with no space between them.

Agricultural terraces in Chinchero. The Inca were able to raise crops in the harsh Andean environment using series of terraces and clever irrigation systems.

Chinchero was an Incan town located near Cusco. The streets and buildings reflect their original Incan designs and often repurpose their stone walls and streets.

Inca architecture is repurposed in the streets and walls of Chinchero.

Chinchero, located outside of Cusco, is home to a weaving center where locals demonstrate traditional Peruvian dying and weaving techniques. All the dyes are made from natural local materials.

Ollantaytambo sits at the entrance to the Sacred Valley; it served as the Inca's primary fortress in the region. Construction dates to the pre-Columbian era. The locals still occupy the Inca buildings at the center of this ancient town.

The mountain town of Ollantaytambo sits at a junction of two valleys. Looking up into the Andes, one can see the Incan stone structures used for growing and storing crops.

An archeological site at Ollantaytambo.

The impressive Terraces of Pumatallis at the Incan town of Ollantaytambo.

A view of the Sacred Valley, the 97-km (60-mi) lush green corridor between Machu Picchu and Cusco.

Pisac is a village at the eastern end of the Sacred Valley region. With terraces covering large portions of the hillside, it was a major crop growing site for the Inca Empire.

The setting sun illuminates the mountains overlooking Pisac, an Incan village that is the site of some of the largest terraces in the Sacred Valley.