If you were in the first half of the 16th century, any plateau in the impressive majestic mountains of the Andes with two lying green crags would be the setting of the great city where the Inca Empire was going to be built.
On the contrary, the fact that the Spaniards failed to discover the stargate despite their efforts depicts the underlying truth of the landmark. The abandoned had only to hope on rain and sunshine for shelter. Which, by chance, had being been found by a Bingham expedition in a 1911 trip as well. On the other side, Machu Picchu, a fortress City built on the top of an amazing natural area surrounded by colossal mountains had the privilege not be able to be reached by other ways than foot or by train which perfectly fit their Godlike scenery. The Seven wonders of the world today are symbolized as the reminiscence of this its architect's achievements.
My Machu Picchu highlights
Not everyone may know about Machu Picchu whether it really worth its name or not. The clear answer remains the indisputable Yes, and this affirmative response arises primarily from two noteworthy factors.The very first thing you will notice when you are at the Machu Picchu - the temples, palaces and residences - is the place where the indigenous architects have beautifully blended with the nature. The site was neither touched nor disturbed by the rugged mountain butcher knives because of it just and because of it.
Besides, the admiration is my unexpected response to the trip to Machu Picchu every single time. While the valley is clearly visible to me, the far-away roaring and flowing of Urubamba River, 500 meters deep, develops a sense of escapism to the world’s hustle and bustle. The mysterious peaks eye the valley from the wings, revealing and concealing themselves every now and then amidst the whirling mists. Like in a bizarre children's book, I feel privileged to be an insider to an intimate secret.
This pillar which is highly intricate on the stone pedestal that it rests upon itself, symbolizes the Inca's proficient understanding of astronomy. The perfect parallel to the 'hitching post of the sun' the corners can be properly estimated and follow the cardinal points, preserving the purpose the sundial was once designed for. During noon on either equinox, observers witness a remarkable phenomenon: finally the stone' shadow arrives and then suddenly disappears as a deliberate creation by attentive builders.
The Royal Tomb
In the past this represented the place both for sacred and burial rites and those facts are proved by 100 exoterrices of skeletons which were found in the process. In the vicinity of the tomb an area with a succession of ceremonial baths is found, the characteristic aqueduct feeding them shows the Inca`s excellent masonry works.
Ascending Huayna Picchu
While visiting Machu Picchu Peru, strayers afford themselves a chance to sumMvc hatuica for the skyline, which has a crown-like appearance, surrounding the top of the citadel. Securing a booking on a specified date within your admission ticket is a must. Upon entering, your ticket will indicate the time slot which is assigned to you for your ascent and usually lasts for approximately one hour.
One should at the same time mention that people with high fears of heights can be terribly distressed during the last stretch of the trail, as it gets narrower and without any guardrails or other barriers along the edge. However, the summit bestowing an exciting panorama, as per the idea of the competent guides, becomes a rewarding incentive for the determined spirit of the travelers. For the ones who like it less intense can also find a peace of mind and sense of fulfillment in lower level ascents that are equally breathtaking.
Where to stay in Machu Picchu
If you are contemplating on whether or not where to sleep either in Machu Picchu or Aguas Calientes in order to be at the early morning tour please consider doing so.
The Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge is the sole hotel next to Machu Picchu entrance. Hence it provides the short walk access to the destination unparalleled by other places. While that short distance obviously allows students to avoid extensive commute time in the morning and evening, remember that it may come with a quite substantial fee.
Aguas Calientes has variety of hotel types ranging from luxury options to mid-range. Buses depart from the town by 5.30 am pushing as tourists arrive earlier to catch the opening of the gates, so they enter before the train travelers. Specializing localy is more pleasant in case of the individuals who are planning multiple visits to the same site. The fascination of upward-bound hikers to have the peaks hiding in variable levels of mists is definitely attractive, on the other hand, the unstable visibility at an altitude of 2,450 meters above the sea-level cannot be ignored. The possibility of revisiting Machu Picchu in different times of the day enables a consistently unpredictable and diverse perspective; not only because of the ever-changing atmospheric conditions but also for the chance to climb Huayna Picchu once again.
How to get to Machu Picchu
This met typically route from Lima to Machu Picchu involves Lima Peru and another local flight about 1 h 15 m to Cuzco.
Located at the foot of the Andes in South-eastern of Peru, Cuzco is a town with historical importance as the place where the Inca Empire used to be the capital and the route to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, a combination of the places the Inca used to call their home. Starting at Cuzco, tourists will be able to hit Machu Picchu via train or take a long trek instead.
Bien hidden in the valley under slope of Machu Picchu, the homely town of Aguas Calientes become a most essential point for travelers. It used to be the place where trekkers would get off the train to catch a closer look at the city, as well as a place where trekkers would meet up at the Inca Trail summit after they descended from Machu Picchu.
Starting at 5 am the buses leaving from the town of Aguas Calientes will begin their journey of 11 kilometers through a majestic mountain road, which will take a turn through the mountains. It will finally end at the entrance gates to Machu Picchu.
When is the best time of day to visit?
Generally the Machu Picchu depopulates about 11 pm and 3pm during which most visitors come with their trains and buses. So, the earlier in the morning or around twilight when you come to the site, you also get to experience the peace and serenity the location has to offer at such hours, and additionally the best lighting for photography.
Machu Picchu by rail
The trip by train from Cuzco to Aguas Calientes is a very exciting journey through awe-inspiring natural settings, as the train moves back and forth the lush valleys and villages, alongside the mountainous peaks, following the course of the powerful Urubamba River.
Various services with railways are tailor-made to fit the varied tastes of the passengers, namely, standard carriages with comfortable seating, Vistadome services which offer you the chance to experience the world in 360 degrees or the most opulent train Hiram Bingham which has five-star accommodation.
Of course, the wonderful thing about this journey is that for a more active and enriching event, one can have a second sor in Ollantaytambo, a popular village in the Sacred Valley area. Nowadays, Ollantaytambo used to be a center of ancient Inca administration, where found the relics of a powerful fortress overgrown with green terraces of which the most wonderful is the largest observed one. The tourists can drive to the valley first, then join the train at Ollantaytambo for Machu Picchu located in their provincial area, giving them a twist and mystique before approaching the territories they are aiming at.
Machu Picchu by trek
A trip to Machu Picchu for a trekker represents the ultimate chance of recreation and an unmatched experience of absorbing the variety and the overall charm of a range of terrains, for example ice-capped mountains, clear lakes, terraced fields, and green canopies.
Trekking in Peru can range from shorter daily hikes to more extended adventures. The guide covers the many available routes. It will help you match your fitness level with the available duration for exploration and accommodate preferences for accommodations, enabling you to plan the trip that works best for you.
Be it group or individual hike spanning from 1 day to 12, you can plan to pass through the famous Inca Trail or the renowned Salkantay trail (known as an alternate Inca Trail) or decide to hike the trail or any other which best fit your pace, preferably after proper acclimatization.
As you vital to mention, there are regulations that control the number of hikers allowed each year on the Inca Trail. Since we can only take 500 persons in a day maximum with the porters included and considering that the permits are sold quickly, we need to make sure that we book them well in advance to avoid disappointments. Hence such careful planning is of the essence to guarantee that your spot on the Inca trail will be without complications and attain the tranquility and pleasure of visiting the Inca Empire citadel by trekking to Machu Picchu.
A little note on altitude
The Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage site standing at the elevation of around 2,450 meters above the sea level, whilst the Cuzco is to be found at the elevation of 3,400 meters from the sea level. High up here the breathtaking views are accompanied by an air of low density of oxygen, which is almost a quarter lower than on the sea level. Nevertheless, altitude sickness symptoms are mostly mild with many people experiencing tiredness and a mild headache; in most cases, this can last for 1 or 2 days which can make one physically feel like they are in a lower elevation which makes activities even harder.
In preparation for your hike at high altitude our Peru specialists will guide yours in giving you an outline for acclimatization and management of any altitude-related effects that one may experience during his/her trip.
Where to eat at Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu Pueblo are offered a palette of restaurants that recognize different preferences and budgeting. Among the number of options, we have to point out Indio Feliz, an iconic multi-awarded chef rice restaurant created in a corner of a sideroad.
Peruvian street food as an example for a less technically heavy authentic culinary experiences. Now let me warn you that you have to be lucky enough to visit at some moments. On the weekends, families around the country have chicharrones (hog roast) until they are all sold out. Bouncing this summer off at the last excursion I had a chance to taste it, and I was struck by the beautiful meat and the special crackling - it was much more than I expected!
The best time to visit Machu Picchu
Hikers become particularly numerous in the Machu Picchu area in July and August during the high season for Inca Trail (Camino Inca Machu Picchu in Spanish & Chemin Inca Machu Picchu in French).
The Andean foothills, on the other hand, have the driest period from the beginning of May to the end of October, which is most likely to fall after the rainy season, enduring from November to the end of March.
We suggest to see the exhibit between years' wet months starting from April and ending in October, for a perfect experience. In the meantime, if flexibility is allowed, you better take under consideration to not be in the peak period which could be July and August.
Unlike most other hiking trails where maintenance and repairs occur year-round, the Inca Trail undergoes a monthlong closure in February for these activities.
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