Machu Picchu

28 July

The terraces and stone structures of Machu Picchu, with a guide's illustrated guidebook held up in front showing the mountain's face-like profile
Machu Picchu, later in the visit, 28 July

Construction

The stonework here uses the same Incan techniques visible around Cusco, but at a much larger scale. We can see that walls and windows are angled inwards to create stability and withstand earthquakes.

A trapezoidal Inca doorway built from precisely fitted stone blocks, with two visitors standing beyond it
Close-up of a wall built from tightly fitted polygonal stone blocks, with a small trapezoidal niche
A tall stone structure with trapezoidal windows, dry-fitted stone below and rougher stone above
Stone buildings and doorways at Machu Picchu with a mountain peak behind

Archaeology

Museum panel of black-and-white photos showing archaeological research at Machu Picchu, 1970-1987
Museum panel: an excavation unit in front of the Main Temple where a disturbed tomb was found, 1977
Museum panel of restoration work in compound 29, 1986
Museum panel of restoration and maintenance work on the Andenes Orientales terraces

A parade on Peru's Independence Day

The 28th also happened to be the anniversary of Peruvian independence, marked with a parade on the site itself.

An aerial view of Machu Picchu with a parade lined up on the main plaza in front of Huayna Picchu

Reached on foot via the Salkantay trek — see the itinerary for the full run-up.