The structure known as the Intihuatana in Machu Picchu, is a “carved” rock on a rocky outcrop, located on top of the space known as the same name (Intihuatana); You can access it by a line of stairs. This incredible rock is characterized by presenting various polished planes with incredible accuracy and dexterity, it is carved in the same rock that serves as a pedestal. However, it is not only a carved (or molded) rock, but it also served as a solar clock and has been known for years as "the rock that radiates energy"; Although it is currently forbidden to touch it, it will be enough to put the palms of your hands a few centimeters to feel its energy.
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What is the Intihuatana?
It is a lithic piece in the shape of a polygon, has a height of 1 meter by 2 meters in diameter, carved in one piece; its different faces cast shadows, in relation to the movement of the sun and the different seasons of the year. The rock has some small stairs (for the priest to climb) and a table at the top, surely to put the offerings. The entire sculpture is dedicated to the sunrise; with it, the Incas could make precise observations of the movement of the sun, measurements of the weather and seasonal changes.
In this way they could verify exactly when the climatic changes would occur, possible variations and determined the beginning of the agricultural activities throughout the year; they also saw the movement of the stars and could calculate the time, thanks to the shadow produced by the carved pillar in the central part.
What does Intihuatana mean?
The literary translation of Intihuatana in Quechua native language is: Inti, which means "sun", and watana which means "to bind or tie up". The Intihuatana was designated as a place of astronomical observation, although it must have had a more religious significance due to its location among the main structures of the city, making it a perfect altar for the practice of sacred rituals. The Intihuatana, "where the sun is tied", is finely carved, with precise and mathematically defined cuts.
The pyramid of the Intihuatana
This incredible pyramid building is located in the “hanan” sector of the urban area of Machu Picchu, exactly on the slopes of a hill designed to take the shape of a pyramid. This was possible after turning the skirts of the hill into overlapping terraces to take that pyramid shape.
You can access the Intihuatana through two long stairways located north and south of the building; one of them is formed by 78 steps exquisitely carved in the rock of the mountain, many of which are carved in a single piece of the rocky massif of the hill. Both stairways lead to a kind of open chamber, whose walls have the same detail in the work of their stones.
From this chamber you can reach the top of the building, which is surrounded by some of the most important places in the city, the sacred square or the temple of the 3 windows give it a spiritual character and a religious meaning.
In the middle of the chamber is one of the most fascinating structures of Machu Picchu; the "Intihuatana" was used as a tool for measuring the passage of time and for extensive astronomy studies. The Intihuatana is carved in such a way that it is an excellent tool for measuring time based on the movements of the sun; the shadows cast during the different summer periods mark exactly solstices and equinoxes.
It works as a solar hours meter because its four vertices are directed to the 4 cardinal points (north, south, east and west); the same method used today as a reference to mark a point in the global positioning system (GPS).
DAY 1: CUSCO / CITY TOUR
Reception at the airport, transfer to the hotel and you will have a free time available to rest and so avoid altitude sickness. In the afternoon the trip will start with the visit of the Temple Koricancha , The Main Square or Plaza de Armas, The Cathedral and continue to visit the Inca sites: The Fortress Sacsayhuaman the latter side is strategically built on a hill overlooking Cusco and is famous for its enormous carved stones, some of them standing over 9m/30ft tall and weighing over 350 tons, set together whit astounding precision to form the outer walls. Most important Mystical center from Inkas time Qenqo, the military control center Puca pucara and the water temple of Tambomachay. Return to the hotel and free night.
DAY 2: CUSCO/ SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS
This day we take a trip to the Sacred Valley of the Incas: visit the Pisac Incas built, the colorful Andean market and the church. Then we pass places like Lamay and Calca on the way to arrive in Urubamba town where we stop for lunch. After lunch visit to Ollantaytambo town, where we can see its typical streets, the impressive archaeological constructions and agricultural terracing, not to mention the splendid views over the sacred valley. Finally, visit the picturesque Andean village of Chinchero where the built of the royal hacienda Of Tupac Inca Yupanqui lie. You can admire the well preserved Inca wall in the main square, and visit the beautiful colonial temple. Built on Inca foundations with interesting paintings. Overnight in Cusco
DAY 3: CUSCO / MACHU PICCHU TOUR
Pick up at the hotel to take the train for a full day tour of the Magical citadel of Machu Picchu, it is 112 Km. from Cusco .During the journey we see the Urubamba canyon, Urubamba River and the show capped peaks of the Veronica Mountain. Arriving in Aguas Calientes we go to Machu Picchu where we visit this wonderful Inca Sanctuary also known as “The lost City of the Incas “one of the best known examples of surviving Inca. After the visit, we come back to Aguas Calientes to take the train back to Cusco.
DAY 4: DEPARTURE FROM CUSCO
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and take you to the airport.
We'll be waiting for you at the airport in Cusco on your arrival date , take you to the hotel where you will rest for an hour , you'll have a cup of coca tea and we will pick you up from your Hotel in the afternoon (from 13:30 hrs to 18:30 hrs) to start with the tour around Cusco and outskirts.
Tour around Cusco and outskirts: We pick you up from your Hotel to start visiting the following attractives , with aprofessional guide: - The Koricancha Palace andConvent of Santo Domingo
Religious center known as "The Temple of the Sun" where you will admire the impressive engineering used in its construction.
The Cathedral:Colonial religious monument of extraordinary artistic value.
Sacsayhuaman: Located 3 km from the city of Cusco,impressive stone fortress monumental and magnificent architecture, famous for its enormous carved stones,some of which are at9 m/ 30 feettall and weigh of 350 tons. Here is where the Inty Raymi or Fiesta del Sol in June take place every year.
Qenqo: Ceremonial and ritual center, amphitheater where sacrifices were made. Puca-Pucara: An old tambo (resting place), monitoring placethroughout the Inka Empire Routes.
Tambomachay: At 7 Km. From the city of Cusco,ceremonial center of worship of water , traditionally known as the place of water.Excursiontime: around 5 hours.
Frequency : everyday in the afternoons.
From 05:45 hrs to 06:00 hrs., we pick you up from your Hotel inCusco (3400 m.a.s.l.) and drive you to the Train Station, located in Poroy, then we get aboard the train and the trip from Cusco starts heading toAguas Calientes (2000 mosl).Our Guide Will be waiting there , he will lead us to the bus station,rising by a zigzag pathfor 30 minutes to the incredible Machu Picchu, known as the lost city of the Incas.Once we get to Machu-Picchu, We'll pass throught the control, where we'll hand in our entrance tickets and where our guided tour will start, visitingthe main square, the Circular tower, the sacred solar clock, the royal rooms, the temple of the three windows and the cementeries, it lasts around two hours. Afterwards you'll be givenenoughtime to have a walk around the citadel and have your meals ,at any restaurant in Aguas Calientes or if you wish atSantuary Lodge (this is not included).
In the afternoon, betwen 15:30 hrs and 17:00 hrs we'll return on train to Cusco, we'll be waiting for you at the train station and then we'll take you back to your hotel.
DAY 3: FAREWELL:
We'll be at your hotel at least two hours before your flightleaves to take you to the airport Where you should check your plane ticket and pay the airport tax, we'll see you to the departure launge.
Making this excursion to Machu Picchu By Car you will have a beautiful panorama full of landscapes and snowy mountains as Chicon, salkantay and Veronica that shows our Peruvian Andean highlands with asphalt roads and very friendly people.
Machu Pichu Tour 2 Days, Our tour is in bus and train, following the route of the Urubamba River all the way to the cloud forest that surrounds Machu Picchu you enjoy the beautiful scenery of the high Andes throughout the course of the journey. you can spend a night in Aguas Calientes, and the next day you will enjoy of Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu,This stunning site situated on a mountain ridge above the Sacred Valley is the best-preserved relic of Inca civilisation and South America’s most popular attraction with an estimated 3,000 people visiting on a typical day. The citadel of Machu Picchu is the most important tourist attraction in Peru. Now considered one of the “Seven Wonders of the Modern World”.
Machu Picchu,This stunning site situated on a mountain ridge above the Sacred Valley is the best-preserved relic of Inca civilisation and South America’s most popular attraction with an estimated 3,000 people visiting on a typical day.
