Knowing The Brilliance Of Machu Picchu

Part of the bucket list of travelers for years, Machu Picchu is not just a South American gem but a world wonder. Found in the heart of Peru, the image of the clouds coming up above the ruins in a morning is an image that everyone can recognize. This is a must-see destination, so maybe you should get to know more about it before considering your visit.

The following guide helps explain Machu Picchu's significance as one of the world's top travel destinations.

When Yale scholar Hiram Bingham was searching for the lost city of the Incas in 1911, he thought he'd found it in Machu Picchu. Although this later was found to be incorrect, there's no question that this was an extremely important site to the Incas. The exact purpose of the citadel is still unknown but it's believed to have been built by one of the greatest Inca rulers, Pachacutec. One theory is that it was a sort of retreat for the ruler and his nobles.

The site sprawls over a large area on top of a mountain in the high jungle not far from the city of Cusco. Through trekking or using the train it is quite simple to get there. To get from the beginning to the end on the train it takes around four hours. Among the treks that you can take are the Classic Inca Trail, the 2 Day Inca Trail and the Salkantay Trek.

The architecture is truly impressive and there is so much there that it is easy to imagine having lived in this citadel in the ancient past. It's believed that it had great religious significance as well as potentially being a place where the Inca and his family went to relax in a climate that is milder than that in the capital of Cusco.

If you are going by train, it's a good idea to go the night before and plan your tour of the site for early the following morning. This will allow you to appreciate the place before the bigger crowds start coming. Although it's still an amazing experience later, it's even more special when shared with fewer people.

There are a number of hotel options available in the nearby town of Aguas Calientes, also called Machu Picchu Pueblo. There are a few luxury options and then a great many in the moderate or budget category. If you're not staying more than a single night, it may not be worth paying for a luxury hotel if you're just going to get up by 5:00 am to make the first bus up to Machu Picchu.

Most tours last around 2 1/2 hours and cover the most important areas of the site. Afterward, you will have typically have time to wander around the citadel on your own. Another option that many take advantage of is hiking up to the top of a nearby peak, Huayna Picchu. From this advantage, you can get a great view of Machu Picchu and many of the best photos are taken from this spot.

Always be aware that very few people are allowed on Huayna Picchu each day, and there is also a limit for those who can go into Machu Picchu. If you are wanting to climb Huayna Picchu, tickets need to be purchased in Cusco, online or through an agency when you are buying the entrance tickets for Machu Picchu.


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