Machu Picchu : Nature and mystery

Machu Picchu : Nature and mystery 

 Machu Picchu is a travel between nature and mystery. Machu Picchu is one of the most famous travel destinations in South America and, one of the seven wonders of the world.

Machu Picchu summit

 Machu Picchu is one of the most fascinating travel destinations of the world. In our imagination is like a  touchable Eldorado or Atlantis. Hidden, mysterious, magnificent and lost. Machu Picchu has recently been declared one of the seven wonders of the new world, for its unique architectures, and for its gorgeous location. The structures of Machu Picchu are settled on the slopes of a granitic pic in the middle of Peruvian Andes, at the height of 2400 mt on the sea level. Machu Picchu is situated in a tropical region at the very beginning of Peruvian Amazon. All the area is covered by a luxuriant exotic vegetation.

Inca ruins in Machu Picchu

The archaeological site of Machu Picchu was discovered for the world on July 24 by the American explorer Hiram Bingham in a remote region of Peru, 100 km North Est from Cuzco. At that time the ruins of Machu Picchu were covered by a dense layer of vegetation, and the farmers who lived in the area didn't care about it. Other people like travelers and some Spanish Friars had the fortune to pass by these precious ruins but not the skill to understand their value. Today this is the most visited archaeological site of Peru and a UNESCO World Heritage. 

Cuzco old town 

Inca wall in Cuzco

 Machu Picchu is reachable via Cuzco : The ancient capital of the Inca Empire. Cuzco is Today a city of 300.000 people, at the altitude 3000 meters. Cuzco was also one of the first city to be declared World Heritage by UNESCO as a magnificent example of colonial architecture. As I said Cuzco was the capital of the Inca : the same people who built the town of Machu Picchu. The old Cuzco had to look very similar to Machu  Picchu ruins once. The former city had terraces and buildings made out of cut stones. Unfortunately almost all the buildings were destroyed and  redone by the Spaniards after their arrival. The last example of the original architecture of Cusco is the world famous Inca wall. This is a remain of the Viracocha palace used by the Spaniards as basement for their cathedral.

people of Cuzco 

Ow to get to Machu Picchu : Machu Picchu is connected to Cuzco by a railway from 1928. There are trains to Machu Picchu leaving Cuzco station every morning  and  returning in the afternoon.  Another possible way is to take the train from the town of Ollantaytambo, 75 km north-est of Cusco, in the sacred valley. Ollantaytambo is another important town of this region on account of its Inca Ruins; but also because this is one of the starting points of the famous four-day hike Inca Trail.

Train schedule

 Machu Picchu intihuatana 

The history of Machu Picchu remains a mystery. Recent studies and interpretations have brought archaeologists to say that Machu Picchu was a seasonal residence for the high classes of Cuzco. Its difficult position, the hot and umid climate, suggest that the estate could be inhabited only in some months of the year. It is also evident that agricultural activities where limited on the terraces and could not produce enough food for a year. on the other end, the abundance of structures and elements of difficult interpretation, plus the lack of documents and testimonies, gives back to Machu Picchu that aura of mistery and magic that contributed to its charm ever since. Machu Picchu was probably built around 1450 and abandoned with the arrival of the Spaniards in the area.        

Machu Picchu visit

Machu Picchu gate

Machu Picchu terraces 

Machu Picchu world heritage

hiking in Machu Picchu 

View of Peruvian Andes from Machu Picchu 

  The visit to Machu Picchu takes approximately 12 hours comprehending the travel from Cuzco and back, but if not on a rigid schedule, the traveler can decide to spend a night in the town at the base of the mountain: Aguas Calientes. This a very lovely town with many restaurants and hotels, yet far from the noise, and very well inserted in the beautiful nature of the place. Aguas Calientes boasts a museum with part of the manufactures found in the archaeological site, hot springs, and a permanent market of local products and souvenirs. People of Aguas Calientes is also very simple and welcoming with tourists.                                

Aguas Calientes main square 

  News from Machu Picchu : The treasure of Inca.  
In 2010 a French engineer, David Crespy, discovered a sealed door in the middle of the city. During 2012 an electromagnetic survey revealed the presence of several rooms and a large quantity of silver and gold. The door is still unopened at the moment, and a French archaeologist, Thierry Jamin, has officially submitted a request to Peruvian authorities for to open it.

children playing in  Aguas  Calientes

free market in Aguas Calientes