A day in Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu, Peru

Dawn - Edge of the terrace

The stone under my hands is cold, and thin gold light breaks through the mist. I rest at the terrace edge and look out across the ridge. This legendary Inca citadel sits high on a misty Andean ridge, famous for its classical dry-stone walls and mountain scenery.

Morning - Stone pathway

Warm sun rises over green terraces and a mountain breeze moves my terracotta dress. I follow the stone path between the old walls. These stair-stepped platforms stabilised the steep slope, made small climates for crops, and drained heavy rain away from the houses.

Morning - Intihuatana Stone

Smooth cool rock meets my fingertips in this high stone plaza. I touch the Intihuatana Stone on its raised knoll. Inca priests used this polished ritual stone, cut from the living bedrock, as a calendar to track the sun and the solstices.

Midday - Facing Huayna Picchu

Sharp midday shadows fall across weathered walls while I catch my breath. I look up toward the steep peak of Huayna Picchu. The trail to its summit is closed with no set reopening date, so the views of the ruins and the river loop are best from the citadel itself.

Midday - High vantage point

Wispy clouds sit below me and the stone city spreads out in hard midday light. I look over the urban sector from this high point. At its heart, the Sacred Plaza holds the Principal Temple and the Temple of the Three Windows, built with enormous, perfectly joined stone blocks.

Golden Hour - The Sun Gate

Late light spreads over the terraces from this high checkpoint. I take in the first full view of the sanctuary from the Sun Gate. Hikers on the traditional trek see the citadel from here, and the return is a steady uphill walk along the historic trail.

Golden Hour - Agricultural terrace steps

Soft gold light and mist sit on the green steps as I go down. I move carefully on the ancient stone stairs of the terraces. These platforms on the western and southern slopes held crops, steadied the mountainside against erosion, and carried rainwater away from the homes.

Golden Hour - Ledge above the plaza

Fading light slips behind the peaks and the ledge still holds the day's warmth. I sit with ají de gallina and look over the central plaza. The dish is shredded chicken in a sauce of yellow chilli, ground walnuts, garlic, cheese and milk, served over boiled potatoes and rice.

Night - Citadel at dusk

A deep blue sky and the first stars hang over long shadows on the stone. I watch Huayna Picchu as dusk settles on the buildings. May through September offers the most reliable dry weather and clear skies, though those months also bring peak visitor crowds.

Night - Near the sacred stone

Cold night air settles on the stone while distant moonlight picks out the walls. I remain near the sacred stone and watch the valley lights. In the Andes, artisans spin alpaca, llama and sheep fibre, dye it with plants and minerals, and weave heavy ponchos, mantles and skirts.