Peru: From Mystic Peaks To Colorful Celebrations Photography by Mitchell Silver. All Photos Copyright 2002 Mitchell Silver. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation of copyright laws.

Machu Picchu ruins as seen from the top of Huayna Picchu peak in the early morning as the fog lifts.

At the 2001 Inti Raymi festival this was the Inca. Inti Raymi is the Festival of the Sun that takes place on the winter solstice. The Sun the main god of the Incan civilization was considered the creator. The Inti Raymi festival included a sacrifice to insure that that the sun should not abandon the earth.

Corn originated in the Andes and the amount of colorful varieties is astounding.

Local woman selling her woven goods at an outdoor market.

The main Cathedral in the main square in Cusco (Plaza de Armas). This was on the day of the Inti Raymi festival. In the afternoon the procession moves up to Saqsaywamen fortress.

A blind minstrel playing on the streets of Cusco.

Aguas Callientes is the closest town on the railway line to Machu Picchu. From there it is about 20 minutes by bus to the entrance of Machu Picchu. There are more small lodges and restaurants selling pizza than you can count.

Local kids help support the family by dressing colorfully and posing for pictures. If you take their picture they will ask for a few Peruvian Soles.

Located northwest of Cusco lies the Nevado Salkantay mountain which rises to 6271 meters. This shot is at the Incachiriaska ("where the Inca cools down") pass at 4880 meters.

Photography: Copyright 2002 Mitchell Silver. All Rights Reserved. Mitchell Silver was born in Philadelphia, PA and earned a degree in South Asian Studies from the University Wisconsin. After studying, he spent seven years in Nepal, with additional time in Japan, Taiwan, China, Tibet, Bhutan and other Asian countries. Much of the time spent in the Himalayas was in remote Himalayan villages installing drinking water systems, building watermills and small-scale hydroelectric installations for organizations such as UNICEF, UNDP, FAO, Save the Children and other development agencies. In 1985, Mitchell moved to Maui and started a custom computer software business (Silver Software, Inc.) which has expanded to include commercial photography (product, architectural, environmental, portrait, sports, stock and digital imaging), website design, e-commerce websites, graphic design, animation, multimedia business presentations and fine art photography. This website: Copyright © 2002 Dream World Media, LLC./ Urban Mozaik Magazine. All rights reserved. This website/publication, in whole or in part, may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher or the previous publisher of original republished materials.