Machu Picchu, the historic and millenary Wonder of the World. Everyone has heard about this place and many people have the dream to visit it one day. This article will explain a bit more about the citadel and how to reach there!
What is Machu Picchu?
There are some theories about the origin and use that answer this question what is Machu Picchu?, but the most accepted is that this was an ancient Incan citadel. It’s surrounded by temples, mountains, water channels, and many sidewalks used for agriculture. It has been built on the upper side of an imposing mountain. To erect it, the Incas used enormous stone blocks that have been joined by impressive methods that modern architecture is still researching.
It’s now considered as a cultural heritage of the world because it was an important cultural, political, religious, and administrative center of the time.
This incredible place was probably one of the main religious sanctuaries for the Incan Culture. This could also have been the palace for the Inca Pachacuteq, the ninth one. It’s divided between two large areas: the agrarian and the Urban. The first one includes a great red of artificial terraces and the second one it’s formed by diverse buildings and squares. Some of them are the Temple of the Sun, the Three Windows Temple, the main Temple, and the Temple of the Condor. You can visit all of them if you go to Machu Picchu.
Interesting facts
Did you know that UNESCO declared Machu Picchu as a Cultural and Natural Heritage of the world in 1983? And that on July the 7th of 2007, it has been declared as one of the Wonders of the World? This last was decided by millions of people worldwide through an online vote.
You should also know that the citadel was connected with the whole empire by the Qhapac Ñam. This was the extended vial network that the Incas built to move between one place to another among their vast territory. So, if you follow the Inca Trail you will be actually walking in the Incan Path!
There are 140 structures in the whole complex! And the main altitude is 2,450 above the sea level. However, this place is lower than Cusco and the Sacred Valley, so you won’t have to worry that much for the altitude sickness.
Machu Picchu means “Old Mountain” and some historians state that it was built under the desire of Pachacuteq during the XV century.
Best time to go to Machu Picchu
In general, it’s better to avoid the rainy season for your Peru Machu Picchu tour. This because you can find slippery roads and even some parts of the ruins can be closed. This season lasts from the end of December till the mid of March. Then the best time to go to Machu Picchu in this season is in February, you will find fewer people visiting and maybe you will feel more comfortable.
Even, you can find better prices in the hotels, restaurants and special promotions in the Train companies. However, the Inca Trail is closed this month and maybe you will get wet during your visit. The view of Wayna Picchu won’t be the best either. But if you’re anyway coming during those months, please take into consideration that you have to be cautious when walking in the citadel and that you have to be prepared for the rain: bring a poncho and a change of clothes if it’s possible!
Things to consider before booking your tour to Machu Picchu
Consider that the temperature in Machu Picchu is usually pleasant. You will not feel too hot or too cold. The minimum temperature is 6ºC but this is only during the nights in the wintertime and the maximum is 29.5ºC. Take layers of clothes with you as maybe during the morning you will be cold but when the sun rises, you will be glad to wear just a t-shirt.
The mosquitoes can also be trouble, so be sure to use an organic repellent, or if you have a light long-sleeve t-shirt take it with you.
Take good walking shoes as the roads can be difficult in certain parts and that will allow you to explore more.
Regarding the entrances, be sure to buy your tickets in advance. You can do it easily on the governmental web: www.machupicchu.gob.pe. This year, the entrances are sold for different times during the day starting at 6 am. So choose the best for you: if you want to avoid the crowds, so you go up during the first schedule. If you, on the other hand, want to have a better view of the mountains around, a later entry would be better. Also, consider that if you want to visit at 6 am, you should sleep in Aguas Calientes the day before so you will have the time to take the bus and stay the most of your time there.
It’s also good to have train tickets reserved beforehand. You can use Inca Rail or Peru Rail. You can also visit their websites and make your reservation.
We hope that this article with Machu Picchu information had helped you to know more about the Inca citadel and to decide to visit it soon! We wait for you here.
