Machu Picchu Blog

Machu Picchu – A Centennial Celebration – August 17th

Posted: June 22, 2011  |   No Comments »

As one of the most popular archeological sites in the world, Mike Torrey photographed Machu Picchu in the way he wished that he could have experienced it – without seeing its 2,000+ daily visitors. Over two trips at the summer and winter solstices, Mike captured this site’s singular mystery in stunning vistas and intimate details with hardly any visitors evident. Mike will explain his approach to photographing at Machu Picchu, provide a historical context to this Incan citadel which, in July, will be celebrating the centennial of Hiram Bingham’s discovery of Machu Picchu, and present slides and music that captures the visceral experience of being there. Mike will also discuss how he took the vision behind this work and created the book, “Stone Offerings, Machu Picchu’s Terraces of Enlightenment,” winner of the 2010 Benjamin Franklin Award for best Arts book.

SPECIAL EVENT DETAILS:
August 17, 2011 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Slide program begins at 7:00 p.m.

Museum of Photographi Arts
Purchase tickets here

Meet Local Authors Event

Posted: May 18, 2011  |   No Comments »

I’m am honored to be one of six authors at the Solana Beach Library’s annual “Meet Local Authors” event to be held this Saturday, May 21st, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. The library is located at 157 Stevens Street in Solana Beach, CA 92075. In addition to myself with “Stone Offerings, Machu Picchu’s Terraces of Enlightenment”, the other authors include:  Roger Conlee, “Souls on the Winds,” Erica Miner, “Murder in the Pit,” Andrea Schneider, “You Are Not Alone,” John and Jean Silverwood, “Black Wave,” Mike Torrey, “Stone Offerings,” and Diane Welch, “Lilian J. Rice.”

Duarte Book Fair

Posted: October 5, 2010  |   No Comments »

Duarte Book Fair - Stone Offerings Machu Picchu's Terraces of Enlightenment

Many thanks to the Duarte Book Fair for putting on another great event this past Saturday. I enjoyed sharing the Machu Picchu book with everyone that stopped by and hope to see many of you at the free Cerritos Library slide presentation that I will be giving on November 15th.

In the Wonderland of Peru

Posted: July 24, 2010  |   2 Comments »

National Geographic Magazine, Page 1, April - 1913,

I am lucky enough to have received a copy of the April, 1913 issue of National Geographic Magazine (pictured above) which is, in its entirety, devoted to the 1912 expedition to Machu Picchu that was funded by the National Geographic Society  and led by Hiram Bingham of Yale University. It was ninety-nine years ago today, on July 24, 1911, that Hiram Bingham walked along its terraces for the first time. As the Editor notes in the introductory paragraph,  Bingham’s report “…forms one of the most remarkable stories of exploration in South America in the past 50 years.” Nearly 100 years later, Machu Picchu continues to capture the imagination of those who have traveled to Peru to see it and those who have only learned about it though words and pictures.

Over the next 12 months, leading up to the centennial of Bingham’ discovery, I will share my impressions of Bingham’s report that includes 250 photographs from the expedition. As the photographer of Stone Offerings Machu Picchu’s Terraces of Enlightenment, I look forward to re-discovering the site through the pages of National Geographic Magazine’s April, 1913 issue.

Finding Machu Picchu…

Posted: July 23, 2010  |   No Comments »

Hiram Bingham

99 years ago, tomorrow, Hiram Bingham of Yale University was led up to terraces high above the Urubamba River in Peru where he found the ruins of Machu Picchu covered by the surrounding forest. It had been almost 400 years since anyone, except for a handful of local farmers, had seen it. The world would soon learn about Machu Picchu through the pages of National Geographic.

New Website Launched

Posted: July 20, 2010  |   No Comments »

Machu Picchu Book Website LaunchMachuPicchuBook.com has been redesigned – you will be seeing more information about Machu Picchu in Peru through this newly created blog page. Upcoming posts will discuss Machu Picchu’s history, the centennial of its discovery by Hiram Bingham on July 24, 1911, highlights from my recently acquired 1913 National Geographic Magazine that documents the site’s initial excavation, and much, much more. Please come back to discover and experience Machu Picchu.

Available Online from:


Stone Offerings, Machu Picchu's Terraces of Enlightenment