Discover Peru

Page 70

W. Wust / PP

MACHU PICCHU AND THE INCA TRAIL “UNESCO designated it a World Heritage Site in 1983 and the world has recently voted it as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.”

Machu Picchu (“Old Mountain” in Quechua), is an impressive sight as it rises out of the midst of a group of green covered mountains in southern Peru, 7,874 fasl in a steamy, semitropical region. Its beauty touches the visitors’ senses and the mysteries surrounding it keep people asking as yet unresolved questions. Why was this city built in a hidden spot of the South American jungle? What did Machu Picchu really mean to the Incas? How was it possible for them to move gargantuan stones that fit perfectly one to another to construct such immense walls? These are just some of the questions that tantalize the imagination of scientists and tourists as they seek to unravel its mysteries, so much so that there are even those who believe supernatural intervention was needed to explain the perfection of Machu Picchu’s architecture. Nevertheless, what really matters about this city is that it holds a different meaning for every person. This is, perhaps, the reason why so many people are convinced that mystical energies flow from its stones, like a huge fountain capable of reviving the most exhausted of travelers.

Machu Picchu: 2,400 masl / 7,872 fasl ¿How to get there? There only exists one train route, starting in the city of Cusco and ending at Machu Picchu Station 110 km / hr.

4 days

Max temp: Min temp:

Temperate / Humid 26.1 ºC / 78.98 ºF 14.6 ºC / 58.28 ºF

MACHU PICCHU

DEC

NOV

OCT

SEP

AUG

JUL

JUN

MAY

APR

MAR

Type of rain

FEB

Then, there is a 20 minute bus trip to the archeological site.

JAN

4

a.


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