Where the sun is tied. The Intihuatana Pyramid in Machu Picchu. 🌄

Some selfies when I was hiking in the Peruvian Cloud Forest near of Machu Picchu. Only 1% of the global woodland consists of cloud forests. It's the habitat of numerous unique animal and plant species. Cloud forests are among the most endangered terrestrial ecosystems on earth. They are particularly dependent on constant climatic conditions (e.g. leaves that are very drought-sensitive), which will change as a result of climate change. Many cloud forest regions are important agricultural production areas due to their always humid and mild climate.

🛬 Sloth's stunning landing on the Planet of the Apes. 🖖🌍🐒

The stone sculptures in Aguas Calientes represent components of religion and culture of the Inca Empire.

The stone sculptures in Aguas Calientes represent components of religion and culture in the Inca Empire.

I spent a day more in Aguas Calientes than planned. I actually wanted to go to Santa Teresa first, but I fell asleep during the trip and when I was in Hidroeléctrica, I just hiked right over the tracks to Aguas Calientes. There is a small thermal bath, which did my sore muscles very well. It wasn't very crowded, so I had my peace. In Santa Teresa there is also a thermal bath, which is larger, but I didn't like it so much.

It often drizzled in Aguas Calientes, so I bought this hat. Best hat ever! Totally completed me! 😃

Aguas Calientes a.k.a. Machupicchu Pueblo is located 6 kilometers from Machu Picchu, closely surrounded by rainforest-covered mountains. There's no road connection, you can only get there by train or on foot. For most visitors, it's the starting point for the tour to the ancient city. The village is very well presented with many artistic details. Here I even had the chance to watch the development. 🤗🎨🐾
I've many more photos, but always nice and slow with the young sloths... ☝😏
🤓 On this day in history, July 24th:
In 1911, Machu Picchu was rediscovered by archaeologist Hiram Bingham. ☝

It just drizzled from time to time. 🌦

Aguas Calientes is a typical tourist destination. Each of the many restaurants offers a hot spot for internet. Aguas Calientes means "hot water". There are thermal baths, which I found quite pleasant. You get to them by following the Rio Aguas Calientes towards the well. That's the river in this video. It flows on the outskirts into the Urubamba river. Aguas Calientes is very lovingly decorated and always kept clean. Probably you shouldn't take a room right on the Rio Aguas Calientes. This is very loud!