Return to Urubamba by Vistadome (Machu Picchu)

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After Machu Picchu tourism, return to the staying hotel in Urubamba from Machu Picchu station.   (February 2015)

Get on the Vistadome train of Perurail which departs in 15:48.

video (10 sec)       The return train goes on against the flow of Urubamba River.

Snacks and drinks are served in the car.

video (14 sec)     For single track we are waiting for an oncoming train of Inca Rail at the sidetrack.

A folklore show in the car

video (30 sec)     A folklore show

video (34 sec)　　　A car staff exhibits alpaca products and sells to passengers.　

After almost passengers got off at Ollantaytambo on the way, the rest is the only guests staying at the Tambo del Inka in Urubamba.

Approaching to Pachar, a small town between Ollantaytambo and Urubamba.

Three capsules hanging on the middle of vertical cliffs come into view. It's a hotel called Skylodge Adventure Suites of 400m above the ground.

Two ways to reach the hotel are to climb steel-ladders or use zip-lines.

The transparent capsule hotel has a luxury specification with bedroom, dining, bath and toilet.

Arrive at 18:43 at the private train station of Tambo del Inka in Urubamba after almost 3 hours from Machu Picchu.

Have come back at the Hotel Tambo del Inka staying 2 nights.

End of Return to Urubamba by Vistadome.    return to countries visited

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Andenes, terraced fields (Machu Picchu Ruins)

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There are terraced fields on the east and west slopes in Machu Picchu.     ↓ This is the west terraced fields.

The terraced fields on the west steep slope were built for preventing landslides and put offerings to God toward the sinking sun.

On the east sunny terraced fields the grain such as potatoes and corn were cultivated.

video (40 sec)   Terraced fields seen from the urban area

Thatched houses at the back of terraced fields are the restored storage called as Colca.

Dried potatoes, quinua, dried meats of llama, farming implements, earthenwares had been kept in the Colca.

There is the Gaardhouse on the top of the east terraced fields.

The terraced fields have the height difference 400m.  The temperature difference of  the height was utilized for cultivating a variety of crops.

Terraced fields and urban area have been distinguished clearly by high walls and deep moats.

Walking toward the Colca through a pathway in terraced fields.

It's the view from behind the Colca.   Terraced fields have spread to the back of them.

We have returned to the first scenery near the entrance of Machu Picchu Ruins. Soon exit

Entrance and exit of Machu Picchu Ruins

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Temple of the Sun (Machu Picchu Ruins)

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Temple of the Sun and The Royal Tomb （Templo del Sol y La Tumba Real)     It's an important area to worship the Sun God.

The Temple of the Sun is the only building with curved walls in Machu Picchu.   It's also called Turret, Torreón, for its shape.

video (30 sec)      Looking around  the Temple of the Sun

Heading to the Temple of the Sun with curved walls.

Upper part is the Temple of the Sun,  lower part The Royal Tomb.  It's said to be the most excellent masonry in Machu Picchu.

The substructure called the Royal Tomb     There is a stone that looks like a tombstone in the center of the triangle stone chamber.

The Temple of the Sun has two windows.    Sunlight come into straight from the east window in winter solstice, from the south window in summer solstice, and shines on the sacred stone in it.

Around the Temple of the Sun, there are also important buildings such as  'Recinto Principal'  'Aposento de la Ñusta'.

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Urban area (Machu Picchu Ruins)

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Machu Picchu urban area        Entering from the Gate of City to head for the Sacred Plaza.

To the Gate of City from the Guardhouse along the path on the top of terraced fields.

Machu Picchu is divided into an urban area, residences, and an agricultural area, terraced fields, with high walls and deep moats.

The Gate of City surrounded by stone walls

When we stand in front of the gate, Huayna Picchu fits snugly into a frame of the gate.

The gate is 2 m and 20 cm high and a big stone on it is 3 tons.

After having gone through the Gate of City, look back toward the path we came now from inside of the city. We can see the Guardhouse on hilltop.

The Guardhouse on the top of terraced fields.    Terraced fields are called Andenes here.

Ruins of lounge or accommodation for visitors to the city.

Urban area is divided into 2 sectors with a central square; a sacred sector on the higher left and a residential sector on the lower right.

The Sacred Plaza, a center of the sacred area, has three buildings; the Principal Temple, the Temple with three windows, the House of Priest.

The Temple with three windows（Templo de Las Tres Ventanas)　    The windows are facing the east the sun rises.

 The Principal Temple （El Templo Principal)     It's built for Viracocha of a great Creator God in Inca mythology.

The quarry can be seen at the back of Sacred Plaza. All stones of the ruins are granite which was cut out from here.

There is a coca tree in the small garden called Mini Botanical Garden.

Huayna Picchu can be seen also from the other gate in the city.

video (60 sec)  Landscape of the urban ruins

Plaza Principal, the central square that spreads from north to south. Various kind of events and rituals was held there.

 Each house in those days had a thatch roof.

 A lot of climbers to Huayna Picchu, a steep rock mountain which is 250-300m higher than the city.

The Fountains （Las Fontanas)   　It's one of 16 fountains.  Stone-made waterways carry water from far mountain.

Temple of the Condor  （Templo del Cóndor）  It's said to have sacrificed llamas on this stone of condor's head at rituals.

Temple of the Condor        The rockwork behind the stone of condor's head looks like that a condor spreads its wings.

Discover an Andean rabbit, vizcacha, between rocks.   This is a kind of rat.

Usually a viscacha hardly move around because of less oxygen.

End of Urban area.    return to countries visited

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