Intihuatana

If you are not yet accustomed to the altitude when you make this hike, you will feel it, but it is definitely worth the effort even if you are only taking day trips and not attempting the Inca Trail. These are the ruins that would be at the crest of the condor that you could see from across the valley below. It took maybe a bit more than an hour walking to get to this point from the Gate on the previous page.

Blanca and Rupa taking a break to enjoy the view...

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As we came to learn, you can tell a lot about a site by the quality of its stonework. The most precise workmanship was reserved for the most important and holy places. The precision here is evident - look at how straight the wall is in the picture at lower left. The alcoves in the walls here had a ceremonial purpose (see the photo Here for the a similar space in use today). The protrusions carved onto the upper lintels were used to secure the roof.

The stream-fed stonework plumbing still works as you can see in this picture of a ceremonial bath...

The picture below is the main temple structure. The platform in is carved from native rock and the spur you see sticking up is what's left of the actual 'Intihuatana', or 'hitching post of the sun'. As is the case in most of these kinds of temples, it has had its top broken off. This structure likely never had a roof and was open to the sky above.