It is situated 120 km from Cusco sheltered in a mountainous cradle bathed by the Vilcanota river and surrounded by a magical green silence, which converts in into one of the world's most beautiful architectural monuments. Also
It is situated 120 km from Cusco sheltered in a mountainous cradle bathed by the Vilcanota river and surrounded by a magical green silence, which converts in into one of the world's most beautiful architectural monuments. Also considered as a vital energy generating site, Machu Picchu (2,400 MAMSL) is admirable for the sturdiness of its edification, balance use of space and harmonius integration to its natural surroundings. The local people had known these ruins for long, as in 1902, Juan lizarraga had left an inscription in the there windows temple, as proof of his presence there.
In 1911, when Hiram Bingham got, to the Vilcanota Valley (Sacred Valley of the Incas ), in the intertwined vegetation of mandorpampa, the farmer melchor Arteaga told him that, way up there, on Machu Picchu Mountain, there were important architectural remains and that, in order to reach them, one would have to climb up slopes covered by thick vegetation, Binghan listened, skeptical, as he was aware of innumerable myths that ran about lost citie in Peru. But finally, he ended up making his decision and insisted in being taken to the mentioned remains. Once on top one of the children of the two families who lived on these mountains, accompanied binghan to the site where these impressive constructions laid covered by thick tropical vegetation, abandoned for centuries.
Machu Picchu has two big important areas: to the south, the agriculture area is made up of terraces, aqueducts, etc. To the north, the urban area is the city with its temples, observatories, workshops, and sacred burial plots. There are three ways to reach Machu Picchu: by helicopter (30 minute flight), by train (4 hours to Aguas Calientes), and through the trekking route known as the "Inca Trail" (a three day journey). The Inca trail to Machu Picchu is one of the most spectacular routes in the world, part of the 23,000 kilometers of road that the Incas built all around South America.
The climb to the Huayna Picchu is another highlight in this magical place one The name Huayna Picchu means "young mountain", compared to Machu Picchu "the old mountain". From the top of the young mountain you have an extraordinary view of the Machu Picchu complex and of the pa