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Lost City of the Incas: Machu Picchu
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Waya Picchu Peak overlooks the lost city (photo:Janice McDonald)
It’s easy to understand why the “Lost City of the Incas” was lost for so long. Located in a remote section of the Urubamba River Valley in the Peruvian Andes, for those looking up from the jungle below, it looks like just another mountain peak.
But up top, looking over the ruins of what was a sacred city, you realize it’s anything but. The city was divided into three distinct areas – agriculture, urban and religious - with lawns separating them all. And despite the names, each section plays host to its own collection of temples and notable buildings. There are even temples located high atop Waya Picchu, the 1200 foot mountain peak overlooking the city, which most people equate with the name Machu Picchu.
You can enter the city either from down below or from up high. Go the high route. It’s a steep climb, but the view is spectacular. The trek overlooks the entire complex and the view is spectacular. This entrance will take you through what is called the Royal Gate, passing through the agricultural sector - an entire hillside terraced for crops. As you walk the stoned pathways, the walls of the ruins themselves just beckon you to run your hands across them. The Incas were so precise in their cutting of stones for construction that no mortar was need and now, centuries later, those walls remain unmoved.
You will be in awe of all of the engineering marvels. Those walls are so tightly fit that you cannot even fit a knife blade through their tight fit. There is just one water source that feeds 16 fountains throughout the entire city. The Temple of the Sun is built so that on the summer solstice, the sun cuts precisely through its windows.
Exploring Machu Picchu is strenuous and not just because of the altitude. There are hills and steps to climb throughout the city. You can and will wander for hours and never quite take it all in. Make sure you have a guide so you can truly understand the nuances behind the layout of the city and even the construction of all of its buildings. And once you start walking around, you’ll realize just how much larger Machu Picchu is than it appears in photographs.
When Hiram Bingham first found the city in 1911, it had long been overgrown with weeds and trees. It took years for archeologists to uncover the spectacular site that tourists roam today. Archeological studies continue because no one quite has a definitive explanation as to why the city was abandoned.
At its peak, almost a thousand people lived here. Now, it is home to a few llamas brought in to keep the grass in check. About 400-thousand tourists join them each year and in an effort to lower their impact, their numbers are being lowered.
UNESCO has long sense labeled Machu Picchu as one of its World Heritage Sites, earning it enjoys a certain status of protection. And once you’ve seen it in person, you’ll want to make sure that it stays just as it is as well.
Luckily, its remote location helps it enjoy a fair amount of protection as well. If you are not up to the multi-day hike along the Inca Trail to get there, then the best option is to take a Perurail train from Cuzco, two and half hours away. The train stops in the town of Aguas Calientes and from there you take a 20 minutes bus ride up the mountain.
Cuzco is a two hour plane ride from Lima. Located at more than 11-thousand feet, it is breathtaking in more than one sense of the word. Give yourself a day in Cuzco to acclimate to the altitude before you make the journey to Machu Picchu so you can really enjoy your visit.
There are return trains each afternoon if you do not want to spend the night, but Aguas Calientes has several hotels available and is a fun village to explore and souvenir hunt. Staying overnight could be a good option for those who don’t want to feel rushed in their exploration of Machu Picchu.
Getting there: Perurail out of Cuzco is operated by the same group which operates the celebrated Orient Express. Round Trip Is $113 for the Vistadome which is worth it. The so called “back packer train” is cheaper, but it does not have the domed cars which allow you to enjoy the views during the journey. Reservations are a must. If you miss the 6am train, there is another at 7am, but if you take the later train, count on spending the night. The last train leaving Aguas Calientes is at 5pm
Entrance fees to Machu Picchu are $20.
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