Pictures from Peru: 3.-18. August 1998

 I took the following pictures in two areas in Peru: the neighborhood of Cuzco and the neighborhood  of Huaraz  (see map of Peru).  The first  is known by Inca ruins whereas the other as the main mountain climbing area in Peru. I started my trips to both area from Lima. The photos have been ordered by the time I have taken them. Who reads Estonian a short description of my travel can be found from here.
 
 
 
 
Former residence of Spanish governor and  present day presidential  palace in Lima, Plaza de Armas. People have gathered to see the change of guards of the palace. 
 
 
 
 
Central square of Cuzco (called as everywhere in Peru Plaza de Armas). Across the plaza stands Cathedral of Cuzco famous by its numerous paintings. The distinctive painting style which combines 16th century European traditions and Indian vision of art is sometimes referred as Cuzco school of painting. 
 

 

Inca Trail and Machu Picchu

 
 
Start of Inca Trail at railway station  at  kilometer 72. The valley (El Valle Sagrado) and river Urubamba on the left.
 
 
 
 
 
 
View to the valley of Rio Llullucha near one of the mountain passes in the trail.
 
 
 
 
 
Runturacay ruins. The little stronghold was used to control the trail in Inca days 
 
 
 
 
 
Machu Picchu ruins and Huayna Picchu peak (behind the ruin the higher one) from the end of the Inca Trail.
 
 
 
 
 
Closer view of ruins and llamas herding on what  were terrace fields centuries ago.
 


 

Pictures from Cordillera Blanca

 
I am at the beginning of trail to Pisco peak (5800 m) which is the leftmost of the two snowy peaks.
 
 
 
 
 
Behind the cloud is Huascarán (6768 m) which is  highest peak in Peru and highest peak in tropics in the world. Huascarán is infamous by its avalanches which have  rolled over the villages in the valley below the mountain In 1970 a part of mountainside which then stood in the place which was just below the cloud in the picture collapsed in earthquake and caused a major avalanche killing approximately 18000 people in the town of Yungay. 
 
 
 
 
Center place of Chávin culture: ruins of Chávin de Huántar  
Chávin culture is considered as the oldest flourishing civilization in Peru (approx. 1300 to 400 BC).  In the center of  picture is the Castillo - a set of labyrinths built of massive stone blocks and used by the inhabitants of Huántar as a cult place.
 
 

 
 

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