Machu Picchu

Machu picchu It is the most famous and spectacular archeological park on the continent, considered by UNESCO as a Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Besides its archeological wonders, it has an exotic flora with more than 180 species of orchids, as well as an abundant fauna; the amazing ant bear and the cock of the rocks (rupícola Peruvianis) national bird.
The historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu is a cultural and natural heritage, is made out of 35 archaeological sites, the main one is the city of Machupicchu and this is home to 10% of the flora and 20% of the fauna that exists in Peru.

Machu Picchu is one of the archeological ruins which awakes a particular interest throughout the world, it is without a doubt the best example of the capabilities of Andean men. There are many theories about Machu Picchu:
The first theory suggests that this city was unknown by the Incas, this is because of the type of construction and the lack of the dates which points that the construction was an older than the Incas, that means its origins come from the pre-Inca time.

The second theory suggests that it was the hostage of the Ñustas or Sun’s virgins , that’s the reason it was a sacred city, this theory is held because when the Spaniards arrived, the Inkas government, with the aim of avoiding more crimes, hide the virgins in a secret place in the Andes, this place was the city of Machupicchu; this theory also explains the discovery of 107 human remains, 68.9% of those were from women. A third theory suggests that Machu Picchu was the last Capital of the Empire and Vilcabamba was the last city where the Incas fell under the command of Manco Inca in the year 1563 when he was defeated by the Spaniards after surrounding the city.

The Meaning of the World Machu Picchu

The Quechua name comes from the the toponimia of the mountain which is called Machu Picchu. Dividing the word it means Machu = old, Picchu = mountain.So it means Old Mountain. According to Manuel Chavez Ballon it might have been called “Kuntur Kancha” translated ” The condor nest”.

Location

The archaeological area is situated on the left side of the Vilcanota river; in the gorge of Kusichaca, in the district of Machu Picchu, province of Urubamba, department of Cusco.

Area

The historical sanctuary of Machu Picchu is 32,592 hectares.

Altitude

It is 2490 meters above the sea level, taking the center of the archeological site as a reference point.According to some scientists it might have been created about 36 thousand years b.c.

Weather

As it is situated in a subtropical area; the temperature rises from 8º to 22º C. The wet season is from December to April.

Access

By Train- Departing from the San Pedro Station in Cusco to Aguas Calientes, the journey goes for about 3 or four hours depends on the class of train (112 Km.) Once at Aguas Calientes you will be able to take the touristic buses up to the ruins, which is about 15 minutes.

By Air

You leave from Cusco, usually at 8 o’clock in the morning on a 25 minute flight, arriving to the heliport at Aguas Calientes.Great landscape views.

Trekking

Adventurers can find their way through the INCA TRAIL MACHU PICCHU One of the greatest adventures and extreme sports in Cusco, well famous for its popular narrow paths an spectacular views. You can choose from 4 to 2 days of walking. Dare yourself to do it!

Recommendations

Because of the warm weather, a large number of insects and mosquitos exists there , especially on sunny days. Their bites produce an irritation and sometimes allergies on the skin. Protecting yourself with insect repellent is quite recommended.

General Info

It was built in approximately the XV century. The first people to visit these archeological remains were Gavino Chávez, Enrique Palma and Agustín Lizárraga on july 14th, 1901. They left their names engraved in the walls of the city. It was Hiram Bingham who made the scientific discovery of this place helped by an expedition from Yale Univerisity in the USA and the National Geographic Society.

One could say that this discovery was an accident, as Hiram Bingham was looking for the city of Vilcabamba which was the last hostage of the Incas and the last point of resistance against the Spaniards.
Since Hiram Bingahm “discovered” Machu Picchu in 1911, it has captured the admiration of the entire world and is considered now in days one of the World Wonders, and one of the particular attractives in Peru.

Machupicchu is surrounded by a huge jungle and imposing mountains that remain next to the visitors through their entire journey.

Once you arrive you’ll be captured by the magic of the misterious ruins, which have been kept for ages, to delight the visitors with its beauty.