0 Machu Picchu, Peru

In the ancient language of the Incas, Machu Picchu means "old peak," which only scratches the surface of Peru's top tourist draw. High in the cloud forest, the ruins of this former center of worship and royal retreat sprawl across the landscape, an awesome display of staircases, carved tombs and sacred temples. Natural beauty abounds in the tropical forest setting in the eastern Andes. Access to the "Lost City" is available via train from Cuzco or a multi-day hiking trail if you're feeling adventurous.
The ruins of Machu Picchu, rediscovered in 1911 by Yale archaeologist Hiram Bingham, are one of the most beautiful and enigmatic ancient sites in the world. While the Inca people certainly used the Andean mountain top (9060 feet elevation), erecting many hundreds of stone structures from the early 1400's, legends and myths indicate that Machu Picchu (meaning 'Old Peak' in the Quechua language) was revered as a sacred place from a far earlier time. Whatever its origins, the Inca turned the site into a small (5 square miles) but extraordinary city. Invisible from below and completely self-contained, surrounded by agricultural terraces sufficient to feed the population, and watered by natural springs, Machu Picchu seems to have been utilized by the Inca as a secret ceremonial city. Two thousand feet above the rumbling Urubamba river, the cloud shrouded ruins have palaces, baths, temples, storage rooms and some 150 houses, all in a remarkable state of preservation. These structures, carved from the gray granite of the mountain top are wonders of both architectural and aesthetic genius. Many of the building blocks weigh 50 tons or more yet are so precisely sculpted and fitted together with such exactitude that the mortarless joints will not permit the insertion of even a thin knife blade. Little is known of the social or religious use of the site during Inca times. The skeletal remains of ten females to one male had led to the casual assumption that the site may have been a sanctuary for the training of priestesses and /or brides for the Inca nobility. However, subsequent osteological examination of the bones revealed an equal number of male bones, thereby indicating that Machu Picchu was not exclusively a temple or dwelling place of women.
One of Machu Picchu's primary functions was that of astronomical observatory. The Intihuatana stone (meaning 'Hitching Post of the Sun') has been shown to be a precise indicator of the date of the two equinoxes and other significant celestial periods. The Intihuatana (also called the Saywa or Sukhanka stone) is designed to hitch the sun at the two equinoxes, not at the solstice (as is stated in some tourist literature and new-age books). At midday on March 21st and September 21st, the sun stands almost directly above the pillar, creating no shadow at all. At this precise moment the sun "sits with all his might upon the pillar" and is for a moment "tied" to the rock. At these periods, the Incas held ceremonies at the stone in which they "tied the sun" to halt its northward movement in the sky. There is also an Intihuatana alignment with the December solstice (the summer solstice of the southern hemisphere), when at sunset the sun sinks behind Pumasillo (the Puma's claw), the most sacred mountain of the western Vilcabamba range, but the shrine itself is primarily equinoctial.
Shamanic legends say that when sensitive persons touch their foreheads to the stone, the Intihuatana opens one's vision to the spirit world Intihuatana stones were the supremely sacred objects of the Inca people and were systematically searched for and destroyed by the Spaniards. When the Intihuatana stone was broken at an Inca shrine, the Inca believed that the deities of the place died or departed. The Spaniards never found Machu Picchu, even though they suspected its existence, thus the Intihuatana stone and its resident spirits remain in their original position. The mountain top sanctuary fell into disuse and was abandoned some forty years after the Spanish took Cuzco in 1533. Supply lines linking the many Inca social centers were disrupted and the great empire came to an end. The photograph shows the ruins of Machu Picchu in the foreground with the sacred peak of Wayna Picchu towering behind. Partway down the northern side of Wayna Picchu is the so-called "Temple of the Moon" inside a cavern. As with the ruins of Machu Picchu, there is no archaeological or iconographical evidence to substantiate the 'new-age' assumption that this cave was a goddess site

Detail: Machu Picchu, Peru

0 Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru. Hot Spot for Trekking.

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a famous tourist trekking spot in South American region. It starts from famous ancient city of Inca Empire Cusco, Peru to Machu Picchu. A lot of trekking tours to Machu Picchu are arranged from Cusco City, which is of 4-5 days. Even tours of one or two days are also present. It consists of three overlapping trails: Mollepata, Classic, and One Day. These trails consist of great scenic beauties, mountain views, adventurous trekking points.

Mollepata is the longest of the three routes with the highest mountain pass and intersects with the Classic route before crossing Warmiwanusca ("Dead Woman's Pass"). Located in the Andes mountain range, the trail passes through several types of Andean environments including cloud forest and alpine tundra.

Classic Trail - This is the most famous trail among the three. It starts from one of two points: 88 km (55 miles) or 82 km (51 miles) from Cusco on the Urubamba River at approximately 2,800 metres (9,200 ft) or 2,600 metres (8,500 ft) altitude, respectively.

Both of these trail segments meet above the Inca ruins of Patallacta (sometimes called Llactapata), a site used for religious and ceremonial functions, crop production, and housing for soldiers from the nearby hilltop site of Willkaraqay, an ancient pre-Inca site first inhabited around 500 BC. The trail undulates, but overall ascends along Rio Cusichca (aka River Kusichca or "happy river"). At the small village of Wayllabamba the trail intersects with the "Mollepata Trail" at 3,000 metres (9,800 ft). At Wayllabamba the trail to Machu Picchu turns west and begins ascending along a tributary of the Cusichaca.

As the trail ascends toward Warmiwañusca, or "Dead Woman's Pass", which resembles a supine woman, it passes through differing habitats, one of which is a cloud forest containing Polylepis trees. The campsite at Llulluchapampa is located on this stretch of trail at 3,800 metres (12,500 ft). The pass itself is located at 4,215 m (13,829 ft) above sea level, and is the highest point on this, the "Classic" trail. After crossing the pass the trail drops steeply into the Pacaymayu River drainage. At a distance of 2.1 km and 600 m below the pass is the campground Pacaymayu.

After passing Pacaymayu the trail begins steeply ascending the other side of the valley. One kilometre along the trail, at an altitude of 3,750 metres (12,300 ft) is the Incan tambo of Runkuraqay, which overlooks the valley.  The trail continues to ascend, passing a small lake named Laguna Cochapata in an area that is recognized as deer habitat. The trail reaches the pass at an altitude of 3950 m. The Trail continues through high cloud forest, undulating, sometimes steeply while affording increasingly dramatic viewpoints of mountains and dropoffs. A long Inca tunnel and a viewpoint overlooking two valleys: the Urubamba and Aobamba, are passed. Phuyupatamarka ruins Another high point at altitude of 3650 m is crossed, followed by a campground, and then after a short descent, a site with extensive ruins. The name Phuyupatamarka (Cloud-level Town) is applied to both the campground, and the ruins. The trail then descends approximately 1000 metres including an irregular staircase of approximately 1500 steps, some of which were carved into solid granite. A second Incan tunnel is along this section of trail.

Even before passing through the tunnel there are views down to the Urubamba River, the first since leaving the river at Patallacta. The number of these views increases. After the tunnel the town of Aguas Calientes can be seen, and trains running along the river can be heard. As the trail nears Intipata, it affords views of the "Two Day" Inca Trail (aka "Camino Real de los Inkas" or "One Day Inca Trail"). A small spur of the trail leads directly to Wiñay Wayna, while the main route continues to Intipata. Two groups of major architectural structures, a lower and upper, are set among multiple agricultural terraces at this concave mountainside site. A long flight of fountains or ritual baths utilizing as many as 19 springs runs between the two groups of buildings. From Wiñay Wayna the trail undulates along below the crest of the east slope of the mountain named Machu Picchu. The steep stairs leading to Intipunku (sun gate) are reached after approximately 3 km. Reaching the crest of this ridge reveals the grandeur of the ruins of Machu Picchu, which lie below. A short downhill walk is the final section of the trail.

Also Read The Lost City of The Incas - Machu Picchu, Peru.

Detail: Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru. Hot Spot for Trekking.

0 Machu Picchu, Peru. The Lost City of The Incas.

Machu Picchu, Peru is a mysterious site of an ancient Inca city. It is located at 2,430 metres (8,000 ft),  and is often referred to as "The Lost City of the Incas", is one of the most familiar symbols of the Incan Empire, and is one of the most famous and spectacular sets of ruins in the world — a visit to Peru would not be complete without it.

Machu Picchu was rediscovered by the American archaeologist Hiram Bingham in 1911. Perched dramatically 1000 ft above the Urubamba river, Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is also the end point of the most popular hike in South America, the Inca Trail. 

The story of Machu Picchu is quite a remarkable one. A lot of mystery is surrounded with this lost city. It is still unknown exactly what the site was in terms of its place in Inca life. It is believed that The Incas started building it around AD 1430 but it was abandoned as an official site for the Inca rulers a hundred years later at the time of the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire. One thing that is clear is that it was a remarkably well hidden place, and well protected. Located far up in the mountains of Peru, visitors had to travel up long valleys littered with Inca check points and watch towers. Remarkably, the Spanish conquistadors missed the site. 

However, many people are said to have knowledge of the ancient city as it was referred to in some text found in the 20th century. However, it was not until Bingham that Machu Picchu was scientifically discovered (he was on a trip sponsored by the Yale University, actually looking for Vilacamba, the last Inca hideout). 

Machu Picchu was declared a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary in 1981 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Since it was not plundered by the Spanish when they conquered the Incas, it is especially important as a cultural site and is considered a sacred place. Machu Picchu was built in the classical Inca style, with polished dry-stone walls. Its primary buildings are the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows. These are located in what is known by archaeologists as the Sacred District of Machu Picchu. 

Also Read Famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. One of the world famous trekking point from Cusco City to Machu Picchu with beautiful scenic points.

Detail: Machu Picchu, Peru. The Lost City of The Incas.

0 Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru. Hot Spot for Trekking.

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a famous tourist trekking spot in South American region. It starts from famous ancient city of Inca Empire Cusco, Peru to Machu Picchu. A lot of trekking tours to Machu Picchu are arranged from Cusco City, which is of 4-5 days. Even tours of one or two days are also present. It consists of three overlapping trails: Mollepata, Classic, and One Day. These trails consist of great scenic beauties, mountain views, adventurous trekking points.

Mollepata is the longest of the three routes with the highest mountain pass and intersects with the Classic route before crossing Warmiwanusca ("Dead Woman's Pass"). Located in the Andes mountain range, the trail passes through several types of Andean environments including cloud forest and alpine tundra.

Classic Trail - This is the most famous trail among the three. It starts from one of two points: 88 km (55 miles) or 82 km (51 miles) from Cusco on the Urubamba River at approximately 2,800 metres (9,200 ft) or 2,600 metres (8,500 ft) altitude, respectively.

Both of these trail segments meet above the Inca ruins of Patallacta (sometimes called Llactapata), a site used for religious and ceremonial functions, crop production, and housing for soldiers from the nearby hilltop site of Willkaraqay, an ancient pre-Inca site first inhabited around 500 BC. The trail undulates, but overall ascends along Rio Cusichca (aka River Kusichca or "happy river"). At the small village of Wayllabamba the trail intersects with the "Mollepata Trail" at 3,000 metres (9,800 ft). At Wayllabamba the trail to Machu Picchu turns west and begins ascending along a tributary of the Cusichaca.

As the trail ascends toward Warmiwañusca, or "Dead Woman's Pass", which resembles a supine woman, it passes through differing habitats, one of which is a cloud forest containing Polylepis trees. The campsite at Llulluchapampa is located on this stretch of trail at 3,800 metres (12,500 ft). The pass itself is located at 4,215 m (13,829 ft) above sea level, and is the highest point on this, the "Classic" trail. After crossing the pass the trail drops steeply into the Pacaymayu River drainage. At a distance of 2.1 km and 600 m below the pass is the campground Pacaymayu.

After passing Pacaymayu the trail begins steeply ascending the other side of the valley. One kilometre along the trail, at an altitude of 3,750 metres (12,300 ft) is the Incan tambo of Runkuraqay, which overlooks the valley.  The trail continues to ascend, passing a small lake named Laguna Cochapata in an area that is recognized as deer habitat. The trail reaches the pass at an altitude of 3950 m. The Trail continues through high cloud forest, undulating, sometimes steeply while affording increasingly dramatic viewpoints of mountains and dropoffs. A long Inca tunnel and a viewpoint overlooking two valleys: the Urubamba and Aobamba, are passed. Phuyupatamarka ruins Another high point at altitude of 3650 m is crossed, followed by a campground, and then after a short descent, a site with extensive ruins. The name Phuyupatamarka (Cloud-level Town) is applied to both the campground, and the ruins. The trail then descends approximately 1000 metres including an irregular staircase of approximately 1500 steps, some of which were carved into solid granite. A second Incan tunnel is along this section of trail.

Even before passing through the tunnel there are views down to the Urubamba River, the first since leaving the river at Patallacta. The number of these views increases. After the tunnel the town of Aguas Calientes can be seen, and trains running along the river can be heard. As the trail nears Intipata, it affords views of the "Two Day" Inca Trail (aka "Camino Real de los Inkas" or "One Day Inca Trail"). A small spur of the trail leads directly to Wiñay Wayna, while the main route continues to Intipata. Two groups of major architectural structures, a lower and upper, are set among multiple agricultural terraces at this concave mountainside site. A long flight of fountains or ritual baths utilizing as many as 19 springs runs between the two groups of buildings. From Wiñay Wayna the trail undulates along below the crest of the east slope of the mountain named Machu Picchu. The steep stairs leading to Intipunku (sun gate) are reached after approximately 3 km. Reaching the crest of this ridge reveals the grandeur of the ruins of Machu Picchu, which lie below. A short downhill walk is the final section of the trail.

Also Read The Lost City of The Incas - Machu Picchu, Peru.

Detail: Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru. Hot Spot for Trekking.

0 Machu Picchu, Peru. The Lost City of The Incas.

Machu Picchu, Peru is a mysterious site of an ancient Inca city. It is located at 2,430 metres (8,000 ft),  and is often referred to as "The Lost City of the Incas", is one of the most familiar symbols of the Incan Empire, and is one of the most famous and spectacular sets of ruins in the world — a visit to Peru would not be complete without it.

Machu Picchu was rediscovered by the American archaeologist Hiram Bingham in 1911. Perched dramatically 1000 ft above the Urubamba river, Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is also the end point of the most popular hike in South America, the Inca Trail. 

The story of Machu Picchu is quite a remarkable one. A lot of mystery is surrounded with this lost city. It is still unknown exactly what the site was in terms of its place in Inca life. It is believed that The Incas started building it around AD 1430 but it was abandoned as an official site for the Inca rulers a hundred years later at the time of the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire. One thing that is clear is that it was a remarkably well hidden place, and well protected. Located far up in the mountains of Peru, visitors had to travel up long valleys littered with Inca check points and watch towers. Remarkably, the Spanish conquistadors missed the site. 

However, many people are said to have knowledge of the ancient city as it was referred to in some text found in the 20th century. However, it was not until Bingham that Machu Picchu was scientifically discovered (he was on a trip sponsored by the Yale University, actually looking for Vilacamba, the last Inca hideout). 

Machu Picchu was declared a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary in 1981 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Since it was not plundered by the Spanish when they conquered the Incas, it is especially important as a cultural site and is considered a sacred place. Machu Picchu was built in the classical Inca style, with polished dry-stone walls. Its primary buildings are the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows. These are located in what is known by archaeologists as the Sacred District of Machu Picchu. 

Also Read Famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. One of the world famous trekking point from Cusco City to Machu Picchu with beautiful scenic points.

Detail: Machu Picchu, Peru. The Lost City of The Incas.