So many words are written about Machu Picchu, but upon arrival one is speechless. It’s an arduous journey, regardless of your path and begs the question Why here?  Possible answers begin to reveal themselves as the setting and beauty are indescribable. It seems stars truly align at these coordinates and it’s no wonder they chose this spot to worship their sun. The landscape is awe inspiring and appears majestically as if reaching toward the sun. No doubt it is the perfect location from which to honor Inti. Though this description may not be geologically accurate;  visually, the site known as Machu Picchu rests on a summit surrounded by four higher peaks. Deep in the valleys below, rushing currents act as a soundtrack played by the river circumnavigating the site. It came as a surprise that the spectacularly domed mountain seen in photos behind the archeological site is not Machu Picchu. It is Huanyu Picchu, meaning young mountain. It is the less dramatic peak not seen in photos as it’s to the photographers back that is Machu Picchu. Its name means old mountain and was the one honored by the Inca from the temple below, and where the Inca Trail enters the site through the Sun Gate.

10/2011