Machu Picchu ruins travel guide

Other worldly.

Altitude: 2380 m. IDaily 0600-1730. Entrance fee is US$43.45 (S/.122), to be purchased in advance from the INC, see above. Students with a valid ISIC card pay US$21.75. It is only possible to pay in soles. You cannot take backpacks into Machu Picchu; leave them at the entrance for US$1. Guides are available at the site, they are often very knowledgeable and worthwhile, and charge US$20 for 2½ hrs. For centuries Machu Picchu was buried in jungle, until Hiram Bingham stumbled upon it in July 1911. It was then explored by an archaeological expedition sent by Yale University. Machu Picchu was a stunning find. The only major Inca site to escape 400 years of looting and destruction, it was remarkably well preserved. And it was no ordinary Inca settlement. It sat in an inaccessible location above the Urubamba Gorge, and contained so many fine buildings that people have puzzled over its meaning ever since. Historical noteResearch published in 2008 by Carlos Carcelen, Paolo Greer and others shows that Bingham was not the first non-Peruvian to know Machu Picchu. A German explorer and trader, Augusto Berns, ran a sawmill and had a concession to mine in what is now Aguas Calientes and clearly knew about and looted the ruins. Once you have passed through the ticket gate you follow a path to a small complex of buildings that now acts as the main entrance (1) to the ruins. It is set at the eastern end of the extensive terracing (2) that must have supplied the crops for the city. Above this point, turning back on yourself, is the final stretch of the Inca Trail leading down from Intipunku (Sun Gate), see page . From a promontory here, on which stands the building called the Watchmans Hut (3), you get the perfect view of the city (the one youve seen on all the postcards), laid out before you with Huayna Picchu rising above the furthest extremity. Go round the promontory and head south for the Intipata (Inca bridge), see page . The main path into the ruins comes to a dry moat (4) that cuts right across the site. At the moat you can either climb the long staircase that goes to the upper reaches of the city, or you can enter the city by the baths and Temple of the Sun. The more strenuous way into the city is by the former route, which takes you past quarries on your left as you look down to the Urubamba on the west flank of the mountain. To your right are roofless buildings where you can see in close up the general construction methods used in the city. Proceeding along this level, above the main plazas, you reach the Temple of the Three Windows (5) and the Principal Temple (6), which has a smaller building called the Sacristy (7). The two main buildings are three-sided and were clearly of great importance, given the fine stonework involved. The wall with the three windows is built onto a single rock, one of the many instances in the city where the architects did not merely put their construction on a convenient piece of land. They used and fashioned its features to suit their concept of how the city should be tied to the mountain, its forces and the alignment of its stones to the surrounding peaks. In the Principal Temple, a diamond-shaped stone in the floor is said to depict the constellation of the Southern Cross. Continue on the path behind the Sacristy to reach the Intihuatana (8), the hitching-post of the sun. The name comes from the theory that such carved rocks (gnomons), found at all major Inca sites, were the point to which the sun was symbolically tied at the winter solstice, before being freed to rise again on its annual ascent towards the summer solstice. The steps, angles and planes of this sculpted block appear to indicate a purpose beyond simple decoration, and researchers have sought the trajectory of each alignment. Whatever the motivation behind this magnificent carving, it is undoubtedly one of the highlights of Machu Picchu. Climb down from the Intihuatanas mound to the Main Plaza (9). Beyond its northern end is a small plaza with open-sided buildings on two sides and on the third, the Sacred Rock (10). The outline of this gigantic, flat stone echoes that of the mountains behind it. From here you can proceed to the entrance to the trail to Huayna Picchu (see below). Returning to the Main Plaza and heading southeast you pass, on your left, several groups of closely packed buildings that have been taken to be living quarters and Workshops (11), Mortar Buildings (12; look for the house with two discs let into the floor) and the Prison Group (13), one of whose constructions is known as the Condor Temple. Also in this area is a cave called Intimachay (14). A short distance from the Condor Temple is the lower end of a series of ceremonial baths (15) or fountains. They were probably used for ritual bathing and the water still flows down them today. The uppermost, Principal Bath (16), is the most elaborate. Next to it is the Temple of the Sun (17), or Torreón. This singular building has one straight wall from which another wall curves around and back to meet the straight one, but for the doorway. From above it looks like an incomplete letter P. It is another example of the architecture being at one with its environment as the interior is taken up by the partly worked summit of the outcrop onto which the building is placed. All indications are that this temple was used for astronomical purposes. Underneath the Torreón a cave-like opening has been formed by an oblique gash in the rock. Fine masonry has been added to the opposing wall, making a second side of a triangle, which contrasts with the rough edge of the split rock. But the blocks of masonry appear to have been slotted behind another sculpted piece of natural stone, which has been cut into a four-stepped buttress. Immediately behind this is a two-stepped buttress. This strange combination of the natural and the man-made has been called the Tomb or Palace of the Princess. Across the stairway from the complex which includes the Torreón is the group of buildings known as the Royal Sector (18). The famous Inca bridge Intipata is about 30 minutes along a well-marked trail south of the Royal Sector. The bridge, which is actually a couple of logs, is spectacularly sited, carved into a vertiginous cliff-face. The walk is well worth it for the fine views, but the bridge itself is closed to visitors. Not only is it in a poor state of repair, but the path before it has collapsed. NoteCamping is not allowed at Intipunku, or anywhere else at the site; guards may confiscate your tent. However, theres a free campsite down beside the rail tracks at Puente Ruinas station.

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viaje007

Machu Pichu is wonderful!!!

2009-09-15 / follow viaje007 / report abuse

Michael2

Machu Picchu, the lost city, is an amazing place to visit. The architecture of e.g. the temple of the sun and the sheer size of it is mind-blowing. It's best to visit Machu Picchu early in the morning. As tickets to Huayna Picchu (it offers a stunning view at the city) are limited to 400 a day, you should get the tickets first thing before exploring the city. The climb up the mountain is manageable by nearly anybody, but make sure you're not tired as the stairs require your full attention.

2009-07-12 / follow Michael2 / report abuse

alexisdoll

Whosoever visiting Peru should not miss visiting Machu Pichu. It is the most wondrous archeological monument in South America. The valleys surrounding Machu Picchu are covered with damp green cloud forest. I also experienced climbing Wayna Picchu. The ruins of Machu Pichu are one of the most beautiful and enigmatic ancient sites in the world.

2009-06-15 / follow alexisdoll / report abuse

rao003

new 7th wonder of the world ... it is AMAZING, love the place, love the energy

2008-05-11 / follow rao003 / report abuse

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