8 Amazing Machu Picchu Photos

In no particular order, here are 8 amazing photos of Machu Picchu from my time there. I was one of the first people to enter Machu Picchu that morning. I wanted a spectacular sunrise with beams of sun rays shining towards Machu Picchu. Even though I didn’t get that picture, the views still did not disappoint.

It was a fairly cold morning with a lot of clouds rolling in and out. At one point, I thought I would not get a clear shot of Machu Picchu city because it was forecasted to rain that morning. The weather proved us wrong and I’m glad it did.

Click to view the photos at full quality.

 

 

#1 First View of Machu Picchu Before Sunrise

After passing through the entrance of Machu Picchu, we turned right to climb the steps to this spot. We were able to overlook Machu Picchu city with thick clouds rolling through. The visibility of Machu Picchu city would come and go – sometimes it would disappear for 15 minutes.

Camera Settings:
Shutter Speed: 1/80 sec
Aperture: f/6.3
ISO: 400
Lens: 27 mm

 

#2 An Amazing Window at Machu Picchu

I peeked through one of the windows in the ruins and saw this majestic view. You can see the Urubamba River at the bottom of the canyon.

Camera Settings:
Shutter Speed: 1/320 sec
Aperture: f/7.1
ISO: 400
Lens: 35 mm

 

#3 Bird Watching at Machu Picchu

We saw an opportunity to relax and bird watch while waiting for the clouds to disappear.

Camera Settings:
Shutter Speed: 1/2000 sec
Aperture: f/9.0
ISO: 400
Lens: 27 mm

 

#4 Early Morning at Machu Picchu

The clouds began to dissipate to bring out the true beauty of Machu Picchu. The skies opened up for sunlight to bring out the colors of the mountains and the ruins. By this time, the weather began to warm up very fast and the day almost seemed too perfect.

Camera Settings:
Shutter Speed: 1/2000 sec
Aperture: f/7.1
ISO: 400
Focal Length: 16 mm

#5 Overlook at Machu Picchu

I almost thought this viewpoint was at Montana Picchu, and I almost gave up looking for it. We even hiked halfway through the Sun Gate trail, before realizing that it could not be there. After finding this famous viewpoint, a mandatory selfie was in order.

Camera Settings:
Shutter Speed: 1/640 sec
Aperture: f/10
ISO: 400
Focal Length: 30 mm

 

#6 Lama Walking By

I was trying to get a selfie with this lama, but he wasn’t having it. I took this photo instead.

Camera Settings:
Shutter Speed: 1/2000 sec
Aperture: f/10
ISO: 400
Focal Length: 26 mm

#7 Lamas Climbing Machu Picchu

The young lama was separated from his mom for a good 10 minutes. I could tell that he was scared as he was frantically hopping around trying to find a path back to his mom. Once reunited, they climbed up onto this location with the beam of sun rays lighting of their views. Almost like an epic ending to a story after their climax.

Camera Settings:
Shutter Speed: 1/1000 sec
Aperture: f/4
ISO: 50
Focal Length: 21 mm

#8 Lamas Overlooking Machu Picchu

The same lama family looking at Machu Picchu city.

Camera Settings:
Shutter Speed: 1/1250 sec
Aperture: f/4.0
ISO: 50
Focal Length: 16 mm

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