History of Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu, an archeological marvel declared a World Cultural and National Heritage Site in 1983 by UNESCO, transports its visitors to an unforeseen level of spirituality where everything "in an unimaginable way" is possible. As visitors come upon Machu Picchu, the view is breathtaking. Located 120 km (70 miles) from Cusco, Machu Picchu (translated as "old mountain� in Quechua, the ancient language of the Incas) nestles on top of a mountain saddle high above the Urubamba River in the middle of the cloud forest. It was a center of worship and an astronomic observatory, as well as the private retreat of the family of Inca ruler Pachac�tec. The local people knew of the ruins long ago, but it wasn�t until 1911 that the guide Melchor Arteaga led Professor Hiram Bingham to Machu Picchu that the ancient site was discovered.

Bingham, an American anthropologist from Yale University, began the archaeological studies of the area, and it was he who gave the city the title of the "Lost City of the Incas" which was also the name he used for his book. At 2,400 meters/7,872 feet, Machu Picchu is remarkable for its solid construction, well-balanced use of space and harmony of design with its natural surroundings. The site was built entirely of stone, using every space in harmony and function. Even today, nobody has been able to solve the mystery of how the builders and designers managed to transport the huge blocks of limestone, required for the construction of the city, to the top of the mountain.

Machu Picchu is split into two major areas: the agricultural zone, made up of various types of terraces for cultivation and food storehouses; and the urban zone, featuring the sacred sector, with temples, squares, stairways, fountains and royal tombs which have been carved to an extraordinary degree of perfection. The stone staircases and canals are found throughout this unique archaeological site. Over the citadel looms Huayna Picchu ("young mountain" in Quechua), which can be climbed up via a steep stone-paved trail.

Visiting Machu Picchu

Last year, over 600,000 people visited Machu Picchu, Peru�s most popular tourist destination. Machu Picchu is open daily from 6am to 6pm for an entrance fee of US$20. Visitors can store luggage at the entrance for 50 cents per item as well. Guides are available on site for approximately $15 per guide for a 2� hour private tour.

From Cusco, a 3-4 hour air-conditioned train ride is available to take visitors directly to Aguas Calientes to then board a 5 mile bus ride to Machu Picchu. Buses run between Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes approximately every 30 minutes with the last bus back to Aguas Calientes at 5:30pm.

Tourists have the following options in choosing how to get to Machu Picchu:

� The standard tourist train and quickest way to Machu Picchu is the Vistadome train, departing from the Cusco Station at 6am daily, which for a fare of $101 offers delicious snacks, hot and cold refreshments and renovated carriages that have panoramic windows providing enhanced scenic views and photo opportunities. � The Backpacker train, which departs from the Cusco Station at 6:15am daily, is a more budget friendly option created for adventure travelers, which offers for a fare of $59.50, basic comfort and security without the frills. It also has additional storage space for backpacks. � The Hiram Bingham, a new luxury train operated by Orient Express, departs from Poroy Station (a 20 minute drive from the center of Cusco) at 9am daily (except Sundays). Onboard service includes meals with wine, entertainment, guides, bus tranfers, entrance to Machu Picchu and afternoon tea at Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, all for a fare of $476.

If visitors want to stay longer at Machu Picchu or would like to see the beautiful scenery at sunrise when the sunlight is more gentle, they can stay overnight at the renowned Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, the only hotel adjacent to Machu Picchu. This hotel offers buffet lunches at Tinkuy Restaurant and � la carte Peruvian and International cuisine at Tampu Bar Restaurant located within the property. Visitors can also stay at one of the many hotels in Aguas Calientes such as the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, Hatuchay Tower and the Machu Picchu Inn.

The busiest day at Machu Picchu is usually Monday, as many people visit Machu Picchu after visiting the Pisac market on Sunday. The Pisac market, one of Peru�s most popular, offers visitors a wide range of traditional Peruvian specialties. It is best to visit Machu Picchu in the early morning as it is less crowded. July, August and September are the busiest months when up to 2000 people visit the ruins everyday.

Traveling to Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is Peru's most popular trekking route and possibly one of the most spectacular walks in the Americas. Close to Cusco, the Incas built an immense network of roads to be able to communicate within the vast Empire. It was referred to as Qhapaq �an (the sovereign�s highway) or Inca Trail. The journey starts in the village of Qorihuayrachina where visitors begin their exciting and anxious ascent. The trail is built of stone pathways, suitable for the traffic of two or three people with a herd of llamas. It forms part of the more than 23,000 km of roads built by the Incas across South America. The route runs through an impressive range of altitudes (minimum 2,400 meters/7,872 feet, maximum 4,200 meters or 13,776 feet), where climates and eco-systems range from the high Andean plain down to the cloud forests.

For visitors who want to follow the Inca Trail, they should take the local train from Cusco and get off at kilometer 88. The 25 mile or 40 kilometer journey on the Inca Trail takes approximately 4 days/3 nights to complete. The maximum altitude along the trail is 4,200m or 13,776 feet so visitors need to be acclimatized and fairly fit before they begin the long trek. For a shorter Inca Trail trek, visitors can take the local train to kilometer 104 from Cusco and begin their 7 km one day journey towards Machu Picchu. The trail winds past carved granite Inca settlements (Wi�ay Wayna, Phuyupatamarca) and is surrounded by breath-taking natural scenery, finally reaching Machu Picchu through the Inti Punku or �Gateway of the Sun.� The trail is home to 400 species of orchids and begonias, as well as innumerable species of fauna in their natural habitat, a veritable paradise for hikers.

Cusco

A true gateway to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, Cusco, located 43 miles southeast and nestled in the southeastern Andes, is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Peru. Cusco was an administrative, military and holy city, similar to Mecca, and is now the oldest inhabited city of the Americas. The attractiveness of the city and the surrounding area makes it one of the most spectacular destinations in the Americas. Referred to as �the abode of the gods� by the Incas, Cusco was the capital of the great pre-Colombian empire: the Tahuantinsuyu. Its name in Quechua, the Inca language, means "the naval of the world," which stems from when the city served as a hub for the vast network of roads interconnecting all of South America, ranging from as far north as Colombia down to northern Chile and Argentina. Located exactly in the western part of the valley of the river Watanay, at a height of 3,350 meters, it is considered one of the highest cities in the world.

Offering numerous attractions, visitors are advised to set aside two days to fully experience the beauty of Cusco, often referred to as Peru�s cultural hub and to adjust to the altitude before continuing on their journey to Machu Picchu. Some of Cusco�s must see sites include: the main square, which the Incas called Huacaypata; the artisan�s quarter of San Blas; the Convent of Santo Domingo, built on top of the Temple of the Sun, or Korikancha; and the palaces of the Inca and the court, all part of a long list of archaeological wonders. The rich historical legacy can be found on practically every street corner. San Blas Church, the oldest in Cusco, houses extraordinary wooden carvings that were carved in the Spanish Churriguerra style. The Convent of San Francisco houses a large wall-sized oil painting by Juan Espinoza de los Monteros. The infamous Cathedral, a 17th century baroque structure, houses a chapter house, a sacristy, ten lateral chapels and is linked to the Churches of El Triunfo and Jesus Mary.

In addition to the archaeological and historical wonders, tourists are enthralled by artisan markets and highly sophisticated boutiques, which often specialize in clothing made from Alpaca wool. The wool from the South American cameloids, one of the finest fabrics in the world, is local to the area. The most popular artisan market in the area, the Pisac market, is only 15 minutes from Cusco and draws hundreds of visitors every Tuesday, Thursdays and Sundays. It begins at 9 am when the first tour buses arrive from Cusco, winds down around 5 pm when the last tourists leave and is most popular on Sundays. The small village of Pisac is full on these days with stalls selling the full range of Peruvian artesan�a: carved gourds, ceramics, felt hats, alpaca sweaters and mittens, musical instruments, paintings, antiques, a huge variety of trinkets, and, most of all, weavings and jewelry. Other popular markets are the Feria Artesanal San Agustin located at 259 Calle San Agustin and Feria San Blas surrounding the Plazoleta San Blas.

The excitement in Cusco certainly doesn�t stop when the sun goes down. Cusco is one of the most extroverted cities in Peru, a magical place of dizzying excitement with a bustling and energetic nightlife and vast culinary offerings. Pubs, bars and discos where music of the quena flutes and zampona pan-pipes can be heard are plentiful.

Cusco has a vibrant and cosmopolitan nightlife with an original Andean flavor and places that cater to every taste. Visitors can appreciate authentic folklore shows during the evenings at select restaurants downtown. Those who prefer tranquility can visit the numerous cafes and small pubs that offer a variety of drinks and great ambiance.

For more information about planning a visit to Peru, call 1-866-661-PERU (in the U.S.) or visit www.peru.info.