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If you are planning a trip to Peru there are many things to consider. Probably the most thought about plan would be where to go and what to tour. Put Machu Picchu at the very top of your list of things to do. Recently voted as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, located about 8,000 feet in the majestic Andes Mountains, you will find the lost city of Machu Picchu. At its peak, around 1450 AD, there were no more than about 500 inhabitants that lived in this intriguing part of the famed mountains. It was home to the more elite of the Inca civilization and was occupied for a mere 100 years before it was abandoned. How it became a deserted city is not clear, but one theory is that small pox may have taken hold of its inhabitants. One thing is for sure, and that was the fact that this city went undiscovered until 1911. Hiram Bingham, a Yale archaeologist and academic, was exploring the area when he found the ruins of this ancient city. Because this historic site was kept a secret for nearly 500 years, it remained so well preserved that when discovered, the city appeared to be just as it was those hundreds of years ago. Among the ruins were found over 4,000 relics and artifacts, which can be observed in one of the amazing museums in Cusco. When touring Machu Picchu you will be equally amazed at the impressive way the inhabitants built their city. It is a mystery as to how the Inca managed to move the large rocks that they used to construct this ancient city. Rocks were joined together without the use of cement or mortar, and were expertly carved to fit together with the rocks surrounding them. It is truly an awe inspiring site, which is one of the many reasons why this primitive city has been named one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
Machu Picchu is best toured between June and August, and for obvious reasons you can expect to be one of several thousand other visitors. The cost to enter the tour is under $50, and it is a great idea to hire a guide to get the full impact and background of what you are seeing. The most popular way to get to this wonderful place is by train from Cusco. It is about a 3-4 hour ride, depending on which train service you choose. There are 3 different levels to choose from. The most expensive trip is with the Hiram Bingham-class trip. The cost is about $500, but it includes entry into Machu Picchu, a guided tour and a gourmet meal each way. Once you arrive in Aguas Calientes you might want to stay at one of the nice selections of hotels and hostels that it offers. This is the base town for the Machu Picchu tour. One very popular way of getting to Machu Picchu is by trekking the Inca trail. You can either book a two day hike or a four day hike. The trails begin in Ollantaytambo, and the train stops along the way if you want to view the city’s Inca ruins. There are also one day package trips that include transportation, a guide and a lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge. The cost is about $100 and is convenient for tourists who are limited in time. If you want something a little less pricey you can take a round trip ride on a bus, for about $15, which runs all day long.
Whatever way you wish to get to this famous city in the Andes, your expectations will not be cut short. In fact, it will be the highlight of your trip to Peru, and one that will never leave your mind or your heart. You will take a big piece of history back with you as the echo’s of Machu Picchu stay with you forever.
