Machu picchu – travel into the lost civilization

Machu Picchu – Travel into the lost civilization

Known as the most top tourist destination in Peru, Machu Picchu is considered as the “Lost City of Incas”. If you are planning to pack your bag and book a flight to go to this bewildering place, here are some tips that you need to take note: Be careful with your pronunciation! If pronounced correctly, Machu Picchu means ‘old mountain’; if not, you might inadvertently provide the locals with much entertainment... The correct pronunciation is ‘mahchoo peeK-choo’. However, if you say ‘mah-choo peechoo’, you’re calling it ‘old genital of a man’!

Catch the best bus for the first view. The easiest way to get from Aguas Calientes (or Machu Picchu Pueblo) to the site of Machu Picchu is by bus. Some people get up at 3am to join the queue for the first bus in the morning. However, 99% of the time the site is covered in cloud; it’s not until about 9am that the sun burns through the mists. This changes throughout the year but as a rule, a 7.30am bus will get you there in plenty of time. The bus from Aguas Calientes costs US$10 each way; entrance to Machu Picchu costs US$45.

Find a good guide. Yes, you can visit Machu Picchu independently. However, there are no information boards to explain what you’re looking at so it’s worth investing in a good guide. One disadvantage of a guided tour is that you’re required to follow the oneway system through the site – enforced by polite and friendly yet firm guardians. However, you can go round once with your guide and then return a second time on your own, to explore at your own pace.

New regulations being drafted will make a guide compulsory anyway.

Watch what you wear. Apparently, you are not allowed to visit Machu Picchu wearing the traditional dress of another country, nor are you allowed to visit naked or to change your clothes within the site.

Walking poles are banned (unless you are disabled) so are large backpacks. New rules will crack down on inappropriate footwear (to stop damage to the paths) and large umbrellas.

Stay longer in Aguas Calientes. Most visitors spend only one night at Aguas Calientes – but the town at the foot of Machu Picchu has a few of its own attractions, including its titular hot springs and nearby activities such as whitewater rafting and cloud forest hikes. However, the main advantage to staying more than one night is that you can visit Machu Picchu at different times of the day. Some people prefer to explore the site in the afternoon when the larger morning crowds have gone and you see the ruins bathed in golden afternoon sunlight. Alternatively, on day one, visit the main site before climbing the very steep steps up Wayna Picchu (additional ticket required); on day two, hike the longer but steadier climb to Machu Picchu Mountain (additional ticket required) for views to Wayna Picchu.

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