Sunrise at Machu Picchu

I've written quite a bit about the ancient wonders of Machu Picchu. I think, in part because of the effort and difficulty that's required in simply getting to this incredible location. Once you arrive, you quickly realize that you're standing on hallowed ground that was miraculously built almost 600 years ago. But more than that, it was built out of stone on a mountain ridge, nearly 8,000 feet above sea level. It is beautiful, awe inspiring and thought provoking.

Most visitors hop a bus at base camp around 5:30 am to make it up the mountain in time to witness the spectacular sunrise. We arrived around 6:00 am during a rain storm and managed to make it up to one of the higher elevations. As the rain ebbed, the sun rose over the mountains, spotlighting this stunning stone city and surrounding mountains.

Two days of non-stop traveling by way of planes, trains, buses and automobiles and that one brilliant moment made it worth all the effort.

Machu Picchu, Peru

South AmericaMachu PicchuMountainPeruIncacityHDRHDR PhotographySunriseruinsMarcusRichard Marcus