Machu Picchu Pictures

| by Jason | 39 Comments » | Peru, Photo Essays, South America

Cusco Inca
The Inca ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru is perhaps one of the most spectacular sites you can visit in South America. From the complexity of building the city on top of a mountain ridge surrounded by mountains, to the unbelievable story of how it remained intact and untouched for hundreds of years all contribute to becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

This compilation of Machu Picchu pictures was taken during our visit to the cultural Inca site in 2024.

Cusco Inca

Cusco Inca

Cusco Inca

Cusco Inca

Cusco Inca

Cusco Inca

Cusco Inca

Cusco Inca

Cusco Inca

Cusco Inca

Cusco Inca

Click Here to Purchase Photos From Machu Picchu.

Cusco Inca

Cusco Inca

Cusco Inca

Cusco Inca

Cusco Inca

Cusco Inca

Cusco Inca

Cusco Inca

Cusco Inca

Cusco Inca

Cusco Inca

Cusco Inca

Cusco Inca

Click Here to Purchase Photos From Machu Picchu.

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Tags: blogsherpa, Cusco, incas, Machu Picchu, Peru, Photo Essays, South America

Written by Jason

Co-founder of TwoBackpackers.com. Jason has been traveling, writing, taking photos and creating adventure videos since 2024, when he departed on his first year long travel backpacking journey. Jason is a full-time blogger and social marketing guru trying to find the way. Visit my website

39 Responses to “Machu Picchu Pictures”

  1. T-roy says:

    Great photos man and love the edits on them! What program are you guys using to edit photos in now?

  2. Geoff says:

    I am distinctly jealous about the weather you had, your photos look great! When I went, we had three absolutely crystal clear, cloudless days on the inca trail - and then it was entirely shrouded by cloud the day we arrived on site, so could see nothing from the sun gate, nothing from up huayna pichu, and views nowhere near as good as yours (although it was still a stunning experience)

  3. Jason says:

    Jason and Aracely,
    Fantastic photos…yes you had some good luck with the weather as well.
    Jason

  4. Emily says:

    What stunning photos-I really enjoyed looking through these! I love the rich color. Visiting Machu Picchu is definitely high on my travel must-dos list. Everyone I know who has been there seems to have really enjoyed it.

  5. Fatima says:

    Loving the pictures of my Peru! I personally love the last one =)

  6. Rebecca says:

    Great photos! My favourite is the 7th one down, with all the light streaming down.

  7. Michael Hodson says:

    some great Manchupicchu shots here — really well done

  8. Andrea says:

    Wow - I’m always blown away by photos from Machu Picchu…we’re doing the Inca Trail in a few months and I cannot wait to see it all for myself!

  9. Magda @DestinationWorld says:

    Great photos! I’m so jelaous of the weather you had! When I was there it rained and there was a fog. I was so mad, but I guess weather is one of those things we have to just accept. At least I have a reason to get back to peru :)

  10. Jason says:

    Yes, we did get very lucky with good weather. The sky was perfectly clear for the 2 hours we toured the place. Unfortunately, that meant we weren’t up top taking the aerial views. Most of the top complete shots were done in the early morning. The last photo with our feet in the foreground was at the end of the day, but by that time the sun was directly shooting into the camera, which is why we had to edit the photo.

    I must say with the cost of the entrance fee to Machu Picchu, it would be a little bit frustrating if the weather didn’t cooperate. And from what I hear, it rarely cooperates there. It rains almost everyday up there.

  11. Andi says:

    Ummm did you photoshop everyone out??? AMAZING shots of an AMAZING place! I went for NYE several years ago and my jaw was on the ground the entire time.

    • Jason says:

      Hey Andi. We were 4th in line early that morning to enter the main entrance, not the Sun Gate. This allowed us to take the early morning shots with no one in the park. Then we stayed very late in the afternoon, sleeping at a good spot with an incredible view (the last picture). I think staying late is idea as long as you can stand being there for hours and hours. It does get boring after a while. The only problem we had was that the sun was at a very poor angle in the afternoon. I wonder which time of year is the best for late afternoon pictures, since the sun’s position changes throughout the year.

  12. Glen says:

    Great photos!

  13. Greg says:

    Awesome pics as always you two. I was fortunate enough to visit MP back in 2024 and can’t WAIT to return, this time with DSLR in hand! It was a travel highlight for my wife and I. Thanks for bringing back great memories!

  14. anca a says:

    Guys, you’re twisted the knife in the wound! I’ve already developed a strong obsession for Machu Picchu and your pictures are so beautiful!
    Did you follow one of the inca trails as well?

  15. Cam says:

    Great collection guys! Such an interesting place

  16. anca a says:

    As I understand, you cannot go there byyourseft and have to use a travel agent. If that’s not too much, can you tell me what agent you used and if tou were pleased with the conditions? Thanks a lot :)

    • Jason says:

      That is incorrect information Anca. You do not need a tour agent to visit Machu Picchu. You do, however have to pay an entrance fee of ~$45 USD. We trekked to Machu Picchu via 4 days on the Salkantay Trek. There are many different ways to get to Machu Picchu, including train and bus. You do not have to trek there. We booked our tour through HikingPeru in Cusco.

      • Tony @HowtoPeru says:

        Great pictures, good that you got there nice and early.

        Just to add to your answer regarding anca a’s question, you can certainly get to Machu Picchu independently, but the classic Inca Trail has to be done with a registered guide or tour group. I think it’s been like that since 2024 (ish).

        Cheers.

        • anca a says:

          I would rather choose a different trail such as the one taken by Jason and Aracely. Sure, the idea of a guide and some help in carrying stuff sounds nice but I’ve not given up the idea of going like on any other mountain hike. I’m still at the beginning of my “reasearch” so any information from you guys is welcome.
          And these pictures are strenghtening my decision to get there. Thank you again.

          • Jason says:

            Anca, we did do an alternative trek, called the Salkantay Trek, but it was still with a guide which included mules. If you are trekking several days towards Machu Picchu, I would recommend a guide and company. It’s much cheaper to choose an alternative trek instead of the traditional trail. It’s really up to you to choose, but I think a guide is almost always a good thing in this situation. We will have a post on the Salkantay Trek and alternative Treks in the coming month.

        • Jason says:

          Tony, thanks for adding to my comment. It’s good to clarify.

  17. anca a says:

    I actually would like to trek there. Thanks for the information.

  18. Kyle Morgan says:

    Breathtaking pictures! You lucked out on the weather!

  19. Ruth says:

    I am planning where to travel this year. You guys are helping me to decide on Peru!!! I have been wanting to go for a long time but I always decid eon other destinations. Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures.

    • Jason says:

      Ruth, Peru is a wonderful country to explore. It’s big, cheap, has and varying landscapes including rainforest, desert, coastal land and mountains. The Inca history there is obviously prevalent in all the ruins. And if you are a trekker, it’s a dream.

  20. Stephen says:

    Awesome photos from one of the world’s greatest sites! Hope to get there someday soon.

  21. anca a says:

    Thanks Jason. I’ll be waiting for it! :)

  22. Siddhartha Joshi says:

    Totally stunning visuals…its one of my dream destinations!
    Your images have made it even more tempting now :)

  23. Laura says:

    The colors in each of these photos are stunning, but I can’t stop looking at the shot with the sun raining down on the ruins. Very moving image!

    • Jason says:

      Thanks Laura. I love the sun rays coming down too. At first it ruins the picture, but later you realize it’s pretty unique.

  24. Dina says:

    I’m in love with this place. Definitely want to be there someday. Great photos, guys!

  25. Scott says:

    Great photos! The more I hear and see about Machu Pichu the more I want to go there soon.

  26. Dexter says:

    I love these photos! While I’ve been to Machu Piccu, I always love to see it through the eyes of someone else. Great pics!

  27. Angela says:

    This is one of those destinations that cast a spell on visitors and future visitors, mysterious and fascinating. Your pictures capture well the essence of the place.

  28. Liudmila says:

    I’ve never seen this site from these points of view. Very interesting. Known places seen with the eyes of “normal” photographers discover completely different, “normal” life. What do you feel there, in that place? Space, so much air…

  29. Anna Luiza Rech says:

    Great pictures! I’ll do the trail in a month so these are really inspiring!
    Cheers!

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