How many times have you seen a picture like the above of Machu Picchu? Probably numerous times, just like me. Before I traveled to Peru, I always dreamt of visiting Machu Picchu and taking a picture like that myself– and I did! But did you know, that the mountain you see here, is actually NOT called Machu Picchu?

I only found this out on my awesome trip to Peru. On these famous pictures of the famous Inca Citadel “Machu Picchu” you see so often, the mountain Machu Picchu is actually behind us! The impressive archaeological site is only named AFTER the mountain Machu Picchu! The mountain you see in our picture above is called Huayna Picchu or Wayna Picchu! In Quechua – the language that the Inca’s spoke, – Huayna Picchu means “young peak,” while Machu Picchu means “old peak.”

Now we have terminology straight, let me give you some insight details to make the most out of what made my visit to Machu Picchu archaeological site so special: the climb or hike to the Huayna Picchu mountain and the famous stairs of death…