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Machu Picchu
is the site of the ruins of an ancient Inca city. It is near Cuzco, in
Peru, and was discovered in the early 20th century. This is one of the
most spectacular sets of ruins in the world; a visit to Peru would not be
complete without seeing it.
These remarkable ruins were only rediscovered (by the English-speaking
world) in 1911 by the American archaeologist Hiram Bingham. Perched
dramatically 1000 ft above the Urubamba river, Machu Picchu is a UNESCO
World Heritage site. It is also the end point of the most popular hike in
South America, the Inca Trail.
The story of Machu Picchu is quite a remarkable one; it is still unknown
exactly what the site was in terms of its place in Inca life. Current
researchers tend to believe that Machu Picchu was a country resort for
elite Incans. At any given time, there were not more than 750 people
living at Machu Picchu, with far less than that during the rainy season.
One thing that is clear is that it was a remarkably well hidden place, and
well protected. Located far up in the mountains of Peru, visitors had to
travel up long valleys littered with Inca check points and watch towers.
Remarkably, the Spanish conquistadors missed the site, and Bingham only
located the site by chance. On a wet day in 1911, he traveled up the
slopes with a few companions from his expedition. On meeting local
peasants, they told him about ancient ruins that covered the area. To
Bingham's amazement, he had found the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu.
Visiting Machu Picchu isn't cheap. As of March 2009, the entrance fee is
124.00 soles; students with an ISIC pay 61 soles. With the train ticket to
Machu Picchu Pueblo, also formerly known as Aguas Calientes at US$98
return and a night's accommodation it easily adds up to over US$200.
Visitors to Machu Picchu typically leave from Cuzco. From there, a visitor
has the following options to reach Machu Picchu:
Train: The most common way is to take the PeruRail train to Machu Picchu
in the morning, explore the ruins for a few hours and return to Cusco in
the afternoon, though it can be a bit rushed. The train terminates at
Puente Ruinas station, where buses take tourists up the mountain to Machu
Picchu. The Machu Picchu station is located at Aguas Calientes; this is
not the station used by tourists on a day trip. Note: PeruRail's
Backpacker train is segregationist in the literal sense. Tourists ride in
a posh car, and Peruvians ride in another car farther back, often standing
room only.
On foot: Hiking the Inca Trail is an alternative to get in and a great way
to arrive as you first see the city through the Sun Gate (instead of
arriving from beneath on the bus). Both the four-day and two-day hikes are
controlled by the government. Travelers should be fit enough to walk for
days and sleep in tents. A hiker can also follow the train tracks all the
way to Machu Picchu. There is only one track leading out of the Machu
Picchu train station in Cusco, so it's quite simple. It takes about four
days, and you only have to pay the entrance fee. Recent regulations
require reservations and the hiring of a professional tour guide to
accompany you on the hike.
Walking Along the Railroad Tracks: While this route is technically
illegal, the law is not enforced except at the Inca Trail checkpoint of
Kilometer 82. If you wish to get to Machu Picchu by this route, leave from
Ollantaytambo early in the morning, at about 5-5:30 AM. You will likely
have to make arrangements beforehand for a taxi to bring you to Km. 82, as
there are not many taxis in service at this time. Once you get to
Kilometer 82, begin walking on the tracks away from Ollantaytambo. The
trip is approximately 30 kilometers, but because the ground is flat it
goes fairly quickly. You can count on getting into Aguas Calientes
sometime after lunch and before dinner. It is then recommended to get a
hostel and see the ruins the following day. This method of travel, it
should be stressed, is technically illegal, but for a budget traveller
looking for an adventure, this is the best choice.
Bus: From Machu Picchu pueblo Aguas Calientes a traveler can take one of
the frequent buses to the ruins (US$7 each way). It is also possible to
walk the distance, about 2 hours (8 km). This route is mainly stairs, and
follows the bus route up. It is a strenuous and long hike but is very
rewarding, recommended to start around 4 a.m. to make it to the top before
sunrise
Helicopter: Helicopter flights direct into Machu Picchu stopped in the
1970s due to concerns about harm to the ruins. However, a helicopter
service from Cusco to Aguas Calientes is available.
Machupicchu By car , daily departure by van from Cusco to Machupicchu.
$130 per person ($110 student), 2-day/1-night package, including the
round-trip; one night at their own hostal (private bathrooms) in Aguas
Calientes; one lunch, one dinner, one breakfast; entrance fee to
Machupicchu; guided tour; round-trip train ride Hidro-Aguas Calientes. Not
included is the $7 bus fare (each way) from Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu.
You can travel the "back way" (route used by Machupicchu By Car, above)
independently from Cusco by taking a bus to Santa Maria, colectivo to
Santa Teresa, and proceeding to the hydroelectric train station by foot or
van and on to Aguas Calientes by foot or train. Note that hiking the
tracks is technically prohibited. Do your research before choosing this
route.
Machu Picchu is not a regular town, but a protected sanctuary where new
construction is not allowed. That is why all of the places to sleep, with
a single exception, are in nearby Aguas Calientes. This lively town offers
a wide assortment of lodging options with choices that range from
no-frills hostels for backpackers, to very sophisticated hotels. It is
recommended to do a thorough hotel research before committing.
The only hotel in Machu Picchu is the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, +51 84
21 1039/38, . Guests of this hotel can visit the ruins with the same
schedule of travellers who sleep in Aguas Calientes, but can enjoy the
magnificent isolation of the sanctuary. The hotel also allows guests to
cut out all transfer times from the citadel to their accommodation,
allowing for a longer, more relaxing time at Machu Picchu.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Machu_Picchu |
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