Bolivian president climbs Huayna Picchu on Christmas Day

Bolivia's President Evo Morales at Machu Picchu in Cusco. ANDINA

Bolivian President Evo Morales celebrated Christmas by climbing up Huayna Picchu, the mountain overlooking the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Cusco, Peru.

The Bolivian leader climbed the "young mountain" in a record twenty-five minutes after visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World for the second time this weekend.

Morales arrived in the Andean city of Cusco on Thursday to spend Christmas with his two sons. On the first day, Morales met with his Peruvian counterpart Ollanta Humala on a range of trade and development issues.

The eternal guardian of the Sanctuary, Huayna Picchu or Wayna Picchu (meaning "young mountain" in Quechua) towers over the Incan city. To conquer its summit is truly an unforgettable experience. Along the route and at the top are sacred structures and eye catching terraces, built right against the slope's edge.

It is possible to begin the ascent from Machu Picchu's main square by way of a path the Incas themselves made. Today, it is well marked and in good condition. The view from Wayna Picchu is remarkable: Machu Picchu spread out in all its glory, the Vilcanota River Canyon, and the surrounding mountains. (Andina)