I loved these llamas peacefully grazing among the ruins of Pumapungo ("the door of the puma" in Quechua), a city laid by the Incas centuries ago. This place, that was compared to the empire capital, Cusco, was the northern border of the Inca territory. It is in current day Cuenca, Ecuador.

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From this vantage point, Ollantaytambo reveals itself as the underrated gem of Peru's Sacred Valley. Notice the remarkable Inca agricultural terraces on the opposite mountain and the stone qullqas (storehouses) cling to the cliff at my side. Below, terracotta rooftops of the modern town contrast with the ancient architectures.

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Happy #footpathFriday! This one's special, it's another photo taken in Machu Picchu, on the ancient Inca steps leading up to Huayna Picchu! Watching my friend hike these centuries-old stairs really puts things in perspective. It's a time machine carved in stone!

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Stepping into Machu Picchu hits different when you're right there in the terraces, not just viewing it from the classic postcard spot. From this angle, you really feel the depth of Inca engineering. In the background, Huayna Picchu is standing like a guardian.

#MachuPicchu #Cusco #Cuzco #Qosqo #Qusqu #sacredValley #Peru #Andes #SouthAmerica #precolonial #precolombian #wonderOfTheWorld #archaeology #mountains #heritage #Inca #Incas #Incan #architecture #ancientCivilization #HuaynaPicchu #incaTrail #history #explore #photography #photo #fotografia #foto #nature #naturaleza #naturePhotography #pixelfed #travel #landscape #art #arte