Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu terraces [Highlight]

By Sergio Camalich

We woke up at 4am after a full day of walking along the river and the railway that leads to Aguas Calientes, the last town before you start your climb up to the top of the Machu Picchu mountain.

I was sharing my room with the Titus brothers, from the US, and despite the fact that the night before we went out drinking with the team, neither of us had any trouble waking up. This was the moment of truth, so we joined the rest of the group and started our trek up through the pitch black jungle.

After an hour of climbing, we reached the entrance of Machu Picchu, with the Sun barely peeking through the mountains and a small crowd already gathering in front of the gates that lead into this ancient site.

Smartly, Alfredo the Fearless Guide, took us first to the lower terraces instead of the upper ones, away from the bigger groups of people, where we had the chance to stand calmly and talk while the Sun went up behind the clouds, giving a great sense of mysticism to the atmosphere and a feeling of awe crept through my spine.

Technical stuff

Camera: Nikon D3100
Shutter speed: 1/4,000
Aperture: F/8
Focal length: 18mm

  • @olym_wanderings

    Wow, what a beautiful photo! I have never been to Machu Picchu and have never seen a photo of the terraces before, it looks gorgeous and very mysterious :)

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