Machu Picchu

candid Peru tips

 

Why
Machu Picchu
is special

Most seasoned travelers agree that Machu Picchu in Peru is the world's most dramatic ruins. It sits boldly perched on a steep sided mountain saddle far above the partially encircling Urubamba River gorge.

What remains of the precision stonework of the pre-Colombian Inca temples and palaces clearly reveals how exalted Machu Picchu was in its glory days.

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The Lost City
of the Incas

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Mysteriously
abandoned

Just before the Spanish conquest, Machu Picchu was mysteriously abandoned - and this was when it was still in its golden age.

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Unknown to
the Spaniards

The conquering Spanish were unaware of Machu Picchu because its existence was known only by local insiders.

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Discovery

Machu Picchu lay buried under dense mountainous vegetation until 1911 when Yale University explorer Hiram Bingham discovered it and began the reclamation process.

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Experts debate
Machu Picchu's purpose

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What was it?

Archaeologists disagree on whether Machu Picchu was primarily a:

Religious site?

Citadel?

Royal retreat?

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Religious site

There is scant evidence that Machu Picchu was an important sacred site.

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Citadel

The stronghold theory bears some weight because the builders chose an enviable defensive setting bordered on three sides by precipitous river canyon walls. Moreover, the inhabitants could survive a long siege. They were self-sufficient regarding food because they farmed and ranched the verdant Machu Picchu terraces.

However, the stronghold theory has a weakness. Would there be sufficient military value to justify constructing a major citadel in Machu Picchu's remote location?

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Royal retreat

Recently two archaeologists threw a monkey wrench into the stronghold vs. sacred site dispute. Their research indicated to them that Machu Picchu was built mainly as a spectacular summer mountain palace - and that the citadel and religious aspects played secondary roles.

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Getting to
Machu Picchu

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First stage

Nearly all tourists begin their adventure by flying from Lima to the city of Cuzco (1 hour 15 minutes). They then stay overnight in Cuzco before embarking on their journey to Machu Picchu.

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Train

You catch an early morning 3-hour train to a river-level village at the base of the ruins. You then transfer to a bus that zig-zags up a steep 2,000 foot high mountain slope to reach the Machu Picchu site (30 minutes).

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Hiking

You can also hike from the Cuzco area to Machu Picchu on a network of ancient paths collectively named the Inca (or Inka) Trail. The journey takes 2 to 10 days, depending on your speed and choice of paths.

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Helicopter

There is service between Cuzco and Aqua Calientes (near Machu Picchu).

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Machu Picchu
tips & insights

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Birthplace of
Hillman Wonders

My Wonders of the World list officially began in earnest during my 1968 trip to Machu Picchu. Click the button below for details:

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Best and
worst months

The best for visiting is May to September. May is the prettiest month (the dense, subtropical mountain forests are exceptionally green) while August is the best all around month. The least desirable period is from October to April, the rainy season.

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Day-trip
drawback

Most travelers take a day trip to Machu Picchu (they ride the mid afternoon train back to their hotels in Cuzco). This leaves just about two hours at the site - and part of that precious time is expended by having lunch at the hotel. You'll have more hours to enjoy and explore the ruins if you stay overnight at the hotel located next to the ruins or (less expensively) at one situated in nearby Aqua Calientes. You will be able to explore this travel wonder in the late afternoon and early the next morning when the tourist count is low. Rooms are scarce, so book well ahead.

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Precision

stonework

The huge granite stone building blocks were hewn so precisely that they fit tightly together by themselves. No mortar or other adhesive was used. You cannot even insert a thin blade between their joints.

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Climbing
Huayna Picchu

It's the sharp peak immediately behind the ruins (see photo). The reward is a spectacular view of Machu Picchu below you. However, be fit and sure footed as the ancient stone steps to the top are steep and primitive. If you do climb the peak, avoid inclement weather as the stones could be slippery. And, in 2004, a visitor was struck by lightning when he reached the summit.

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©2010 HQP / Hillman Quality Publications