Machu Picchu, Perú
THE STORY
I made it to Machu Picchu. I’m not quite sure how to elaborate on that because it is such a infamous World Heritage Site.
Like many others I’m sure, I coveted a visit to Machu Picchu from the first moment I knew such a place existed. An anthropologist from a very young age, I remember being around seven when I first learned about Machu Picchu. I had become obsessed with the Incan Empire after seeing a National Geographic DVD on the subject. I watched it repeatedly, on Saturday mornings with my cereal while the rest of my family slept.
Finally standing there, looking down onto this ancient city was such a gift. And one of the more emotional destinations of my trip, for it was a gift I had given to myself. Strolling around Machu Picchu for four hours, I felt proud of myself for having the gumption to travel alone and without a plan through South America.
Some fun facts, if ya want them:
My research reveled that it is the mountain upon which this village sits that is actually called Machu Picchu. Apparently the real name of the city is Patallaqta. Derived from two Quechua words, Pata meaning steps and Llaqta meaning town. Though, there might be some debate to that name.
Built sometime in the mid 1400s at the hight of the Incan empire. Unfortunately, a century later it was abandoned with the arrival of the Spanish Conquest.
Rediscovered by American archeologist Hiram Bingham in 1911. He brought the world’s attention to this mountaintop secret in the April 1913 issue of National Geographic. Nat Geo sponsored Bingham’s return and further research of the archeological site in following years.
The true purpose of this city remains unknown though there are many theories. Two most popular opinions include a retreat for Incan royalty, perhaps a secret one. Others believe the discovery of many female bodies and certain astrological technologies suggest a spiritual or sacred role.
In 2007 Machu Picchu was named one of the New Seven Wonders Of The World - due to the civil engineering of this city, sans mortar, metal tools or the wheel. Its walls were built of stones cut and fitted together to perfection.
There are 700 ancient terraces at Machu Picchu, making the archeological site expand much farther than you might think.
Almost 300,000 people visit every year
Only 400 people are permitted to climb the Huayna Picchu (also called Wayna Picchu) peak for a view over Machu Picchu each day
The temple of the Moon sits atop Huayna Picchu
Machu Picchu is approximately 75 km from Cusco, but is only accessible by train or hiking in.
The site itself exceeded all expectations, and I’m not sure I can put into words how cool it is. Completely surrounded by lush rolling hills, this secret city is larger than I thought. On the outskirts of the main city, agricultural terraces expand in every direction. All 700 of them. Even after four hours I’m sure I missed many cool nooks and crannies.
Many people hike up to Huayna Picchu, the peak right next to the ruins, for what I am sure is an epic birds eye view. There is also a sneaky temple dedicated to the moon up there. Unfortunately, the two hour climb, round trip, didn’t work with my timeline. But, I was not without a views. At every angle you are offered a new perspective on the site.
If you are curious about how you might get there, or how I got there check out my previous post here. Otherwise, I think I will more or less leave you here and let the photographs speak for themselves.
A beautifully crafted, ancient road leads away from the city towards one of the original entrances to the city, The Sun Gate. From here you are offered a view of just how comfortably Machu Picchu is nestled into this mountain top. You will see more of the surrounding mountains and the winding road the buses take to get up to the site.
This is an excellent spot to hang out and enjoy the view, eat a snack and maybe ask a stranger to take your picture.
I found the clouds to be one of the most magical parts of my visit to Machu Picchu. Through the morning they seemed to be playing with the mountains. Then, every so often a bout of cloud would slowly float across the ruins and everything was hidden in the clouds.
Just as slowly as they move in, the cloud would coast along. Ever so slowly revealing Machu Picchu all over again.
Just over four hours later, around noon I crossed the bridge from whence I came. This time instead of taking the right turn towards the village of Aquacaliente, I took a left to walk back along the train tracks.
Another 2.5 hour hike along railroad tracks, where at the end I met up with the same van and driver who had dropped myself and several others the day before.
By 2:30pm we were on the road back to Cusco. For the first several hours of the drive I relived the memories of this day. For the other several hours of travel I nodded in and out of sleep, enjoying snippets of beautiful landscapes out the window as we woke back and forth, and eventually over the mountains between us and Cusco.