Machu Picchu, Peru
While writing about my recent trip to Peru, I thought about my previous trip to Peru when I visited Machu Picchu and the Cusco area. Machu Picchu is an amazing archaeological site. Built around 1450 AD, it rests on top of a mountain in the Andes. It is constructed of large stones that have been carved to fit so tightly that nothing can fit between them. It has agricultural terraces to feed the people. These terraces were built to handle the 80 inches of annual rainfall, draining the water and preserving the site from being washed off the top of the mountain. It has residential areas and spiritual areas, including a stone that marks the solstice, called the Intihuatana. It is well worth seeing.
Getting to Machu Picchu
The best way to get to Machu Picchu is to fly to Cusco from Lima, Peru. From there you can get to Machu Picchu by train. You will need transportation to the train station outside of Cusco. You can also hike to the site using different routes. The Inca trail is now booked well in advance, but alternatives are available, see the link at the bottom of this blog.
During the high season, June – August, you need to make arrangements well ahead for tickets. Today, only 2,500 visitors a day are allowed to enter the site. Most people take a train for the day, visit Machu Picchu and return to Cusco. But if you want the best views of the site, spend the night in Agua Caliente, the town in the valley where the train arrives and departs, or at the hotel adjacent to the site. If you spend the night, you can be at Machu Picchu in the morning before most train passengers arrive, and/or stay later after the majority of the tourists leave. I love to take photographs, so quieter times are always better for me.
Trip Information
I traveled with Overseas Adventure Travel. The trip also went to the Galapagos Islands. Their trip has changed since I took it, but it is still available. I much prefer to leave most details to others when I travel. We flew to Lima and then to Cusco where we stayed for a couple of days seeing sites around there. Then we took the train to Agua Caliente. We spent the night, so got to see Machu Picchu twice, once in the evening and then again in the morning. The train ride is fun and interesting. The train follows the Urubamba river. I was surprised to see bromeliads growing on the cliff walls as we neared Agua Caliente. With so much rain, anything grows. It was good to have a knowledgeable guide while exploring the archaeological site. There are many interesting things to see at the site.
Temple of the Sun
The Temple of the Sun is on the left and contains the circular tower with a flat back. It is built around a bolder and has a window that allows light to aligns the bolder with a mountain peak during the solstice. It also has a good view of the valley 2,000 feet below.
The Sacred Plaza of Machu Picchu
Many of the windows in sacred areas of Machu Picchu are trapezoidal like those above. Below is the Sacred Plaza, looking to the left of the above photo. The photo below shows the Sacred Plaza. At the top of the hill, the Intihuatana, the “Hitching Post of the Sun” is behind the stone work.
Machu Picchu Conclusion
I recommend visiting Machu Picchu. South America is a short flight from the states, and the time change is minimal, unlike other adventurous trips I have taken.
Peru is amazing and has other interesting places to visit. Check out my other Peru blogs, Amazon Basin and the pyramids of Northwest Peru.
References:
Wikipedia
Related Sites
Inca Trail Informarion
Permit information for hiking the Inca Trail
History Channel Documentary
