MACHU PICCHU...
Incas Best Kept Secret
In The Mighty Andes Mountains
Machu Picchu: The Fortress City - © C. Sala / PromPeru
"In the variety of its charms and the power of its spell, I know of no place in the world which can compare with it. Not only has it great snow peaks looming above the clouds more than two miles overhead, gigantic precipices of many-colored granite rising sheer for thousands of feet above the foaming, glistening, roaring rapids, it has also, in striking contrast, orchids and tree ferns, the delectable beauty of luxurious vegetation and the mysterious witchery of the jungle."
Hiram Bingham on Machu Picchu
The "Old Mountain" in Quechua language -or Machu Picchu- lies about 7000 feet above sea level overlooking the deep canyon of the Urubamba river, in the Department of Cuzco, Peru.
It remained forgotten for 400 years.In 1911, Yale Professor Hiram Bingham discovered to the world and remained astonished in front of this superb achievement in urban planning, civil engineering and architecture deeply hidden in the Andes mountains and believed to be home of the Inca ruling classes.
There is no evidence that Spanish conquerors ever found it, but for reasons unknown, the city became depopulated toward the end of 15th. century, even before they arrived.
What was the fate of the inhabitants of Machu Picchu?...
Were they exterminated in internal tribal wars?
Was it an epidemic disease where nobody survived?
This remains one of the biggest enigmas surrounding the Fortress City.
Truth is that without knowing neither the wheel, nor any written language, the Incas managed to build an empire stretching 3680 km. in the magical region where the Andes meet the Amazon river...
The Citadel of Machu Picchu -of around 1 square km. in extension- is a complex of temples, palaces and observatories.
It has two sections...
- Agricultural: formed by stepped terraces -andenes- for cultivation
- "U" shaped. It has two architectural groups with streets and stairwells- 3.000 steps
Main buildings are...
- Main Temple
- Temple of the Three Windows
- Priests Mansion
- Watchtower
- Intihuatana (In Quechua language: "place where the sun is bonded"
There are two ways to reach Machu Picchu...
- One-day trip from the city of Cuzco following the course of Urubamba river. You'll arrive to Aguas Calientes -4 hours ride. distance from the station of Puente Ruinas to the Citadel is about 2 km.
You could also stay overnight there or in the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, but this is a more expensive option - The second and most spectacular way to reach it is following the traditional route of entry, the Inka trail...
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Inka Trail (Inca Trail):
For the most adventurous and with time to spare, this is one of the most incredible trek of the Americas.
A 43 km, of stone-paved road that leads to the Citadel and takes about four days to complete.
Not long really, if we consider that Incas built around 14.000 miles of roads throughout the whole empire.
The journey starts from Qorihuayrachina, at km. 88 of the Cuzco-Quillabamba railway.
It follows a mountain trail at 3281 feet over the left bank of Urubamba river, through old Inca settlements of...
- Patallacta
- Huallabamba
- Runku Rakay
- Sayacmarca
- Phuyu Pata Marca
- Huiñay Huayna
Day One:
It begins crossing the Kusichaca bridge over Urubamba river, passing through the archaeological sites of Q'ente, Pulpituyoc, Kusichaca and Patallaca, until you reach the village of Wayllabamba.
You can camp here or go to Liullucha to spend the night.
Day Two:
You will climb up to 4200 meters crossing the Warmiwañusca pass, the highest.
Watch out for "soroche" - altitude sickness.
If that happens, descend quickly to the valley of the Pakaymayu to camp.
Day Three:
You'll go through impressive archaeological sites such as Runquraqay, descend to Yanacocha and climb a path that takes you to Sayaqmarka, at 3600 meters above sea level.
You can camp near Phuyupatamarca or at Wiñay Wayna.
Day Four:
You'll reach Machu Picchu sometime in the morning.
Can't camp at Intipunko.
Can spend the night in Aguas Calientes or catch the train to Cuzco.
Machu Picchu is Peru's main tourist destination and one of the most impressive archaeological sites you will ever come across, listed as World Heritage Landmark by UNESCO in 1983.
It is also another superb example of the wild beauty that South America is made of...
How to Get There:
By Air:
From Lima is about 1 hour flight.
You could also fly from Arequipa and Puno.
By Bus:
From Lima to Arequipa following the Pan-American Highway, about 1660 km.
Also through the highlands by Nazca and Abancay.
By Train:
From Arequipa and Puno.
Where to Stay:
The following are middle of the range - 3 Stars accommodation standard...
- Hotel Don Carlos - Av. El Sol 602
- Del Prado Inn - Uriel Garcia 310
- Torre Dorada Residencial - Calle Los Cipreses N-5
- Munay Wasi Inn Hotel - Av. Tullumayo 418
Hostels:
- Hostal Casablanca - Calle Teqte Nro 218-A
- The Point Cusco - Meson de la Estrella 172
- Hospedaje Familiar LLipimpac - Limacpampa Chico Nro 400 - 2º
- Hostal Wasichay - Calle Maruri Nº 312
Blink
Del.icio.us
Digg
Furl
Google
Simpy
Spurl
Technorati
Y! MyWeb