The Explorer s Guide to Machu Picchu
Table of Contents 1) About Machu Picchu 2) History of Machu Picchu 3) Machu Picchu Discovery 4) Where is Machu Picchu? 5) Traveling to Machu Picchu 6) Lima, Peru 7) Traveling to Cusco 8) Cusco, Peru 9) Permits to Machu Picchu 10) When to Visit Machu Picchu 11) The Inca Trail Trek Machu Picchu 12) Aquas Calinetes 13) Machu Picchu Hiking, Elevation and Altitude Sickness 14) Key Sites to Visit on Machu Picchu
1. About Machu Picchu Entitled One of the New Seven Wonders of the World is certainly reason enough to want to visit Machu Picchu at least once in your lifetime. But as the most widely recognized surviving symbol of the Inca Empire, as well as one of the most important archeological sites discovered on Earth, this Andean landmark is guaranteed to excite even the most experienced adventurer. Striking in both its beauty and rich cultural heritage, thousands of people come to explore this historical landmark each year. With forestry and ancient structures inspiring endless musicians, artists, and photographers, Machu Picchu draws people from all over the world. Architecturally, the city bares some of the most intricate and staggering design and sculptured temples in South America. Machu Picchu holds within it some of the most beautiful stone carvings, offerings to the Sun and ancient Emperors, all housed in a breathtakingly designed and conserved structure, hidden by dense forest. The Machu Picchu citadel explorerspassage.com 3
2. History of Machu Picchu What country is Machu Picchu in you may ask? Machu Picchu was built in Peru at the height of the Inca Empire. The building of this city spanned across two Inca rulers: Pachacutec Inca Yupanqui (1438 71) and Tupac Inca Yupanqui (1472 93). However, a little over a hundred years later, the city lay mysteriously uninhabited. Historians have disputed the reason for this, arguing that the cities population was either killed by invaders during the Spanish Conquest, or that they died naturally from small pox, years before the Spanish arrived in their city. Little is known as to when Machu Picchu was first discovered, simply due to sparse records logged by early 15th century explorers. However, the mysterious city of Picchu was marked on several western maps. We can establish a timeline based on what the Spanish left behind when voyaging into the Andes, carving out their trading route down through South America. Graffiti and destitution commonly lay in the wake of any city that the Spanish discovered, however, the tribal structures were not defaced in Machu Picchu, as was the case in surrounding Peruvian sites. During and after the Spanish Conquest, Machu Picchu became a target for plundering and theft. It has been reported that Germans Augusto Berns and J.M. von Hassel discovered the city during the 1800s and early 1900s, respectively. However, due to the dense forestation that had started to grow around the city, Machu Picchu became far less targeted than other cities in the area. The locals may well have kept quiet, to save their secret city from the aggressive uprooting, so by the 19th Century, only a few locals and academics were aware of Machu Picchu s existence. explorerspassage.com 4
3. Machu Picchu Discovery The first official Machu Picchu discovery and undertaking of archeological research conducted by Hiram Bingham in 1911. A seasoned explorer due to boyhood expeditions with his father, as well as a keen Latin American history scholar, Bingham spent time traveling the Spanish trading routes throughout South America. Also a history teacher at Yale University, he organized a group of scholars to set out and find the lost city. On July 24, 1911, Bingham was directed to the ruins of Machu Picchu by a local guide, and once there, started to explore and excavate the area, returning again in 1912, 1914, and 1915. Through the Yale Archeological Society, the area of Machu Picchu and surrounding sites were excavated and further academic research was conducted. Hiram Bingham explorerspassage.com 5
4. Where is Machu Picchu? When looking at a map of Machu Picchu, you can see that is it hidden within the deep forestation 50 miles northwest of Cusco (the former Inca capital). The ancient site of Machu Picchu is located on top of a mountain ridge in the Sacred Valley. This dense forested area was believed to be one of the reasons that Machu Picchu was not defaced and plundered of valuable artifacts like other surrounding Inca sites when discovered by explorers. Sitting at over 7,900 ft above sea level, Machu Picchu resides in the Urubamba Province of the Cusco region of Peru. Although the journey is long, adventurers seeking to view Machu Picchu will all be rewarded with the magnificent beauty of the city, it s structural feats, and the staggering natural backdrop that resides around it which makes Peru trekking unmatched. The Machu Picchu Sanctuary explorerspassage.com 6
5. Traveling to Machu Picchu With low cost international flights, efficient trains and frequent buses, traveling to Machu Picchu is a lot easier than it was when Hiram Bingham rediscovered this lost city. Depending on your preferred method of transportation, there are a few different options when visiting Peru, Lima and beyond to Machu Picchu. However, in it s simplest form, every traveler s journey looks something like this: PERU LIMA CUSCO AGUAS CALIENTES MACHU PICCHU The Andes mountains explorerspassage.com 7
6. Lima, Peru Your first stop on your journey to climbing Machu Picchu will most likely be in Lima. Some people spend a few days in Lima before heading to Cusco and if you have the time it is definitely worth the stop. The City of Kings, better known as Peru s capital, Lima, lies on the Pacific coast and is one of the largest cities in South America. With a unique character which is sometimes described as California with a distinct Hispanic twist, Lima offers a wealth of attractions for tourists visiting the region. Inhabited for millennia by Pre-Columbian people, Lima s history as a major city began when it was officially founded by the Spaniard Francisco Pizarro in 1553. The Capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru, the city would oversee many significant historic moments as it grew over subsequent decades. One of the most important was the proclamation of Peru s independence from Spain by General Jose San Martin in 1821. Plaza de Armas in Lima, Peru explorerspassage.com 8
7. Traveling to Cusco After your visit in Lima your next step on your journey to climbing Machu Picchu is Cusco. Depending on your budget you have a number of options when traveling from Lima to Cusco. You can take a connecting flight or you can take a bus. Flights from Lima are reasonably cheap and take approximately 50 minutes. The alternative is to travel by bus through the mountains. While the bus is the cheaper option and you have the opportunity to drive through the beautiful mountains it can take over 20 hours for the trip. Cusco The Ancient Capital of the Inca Empire explorerspassage.com 9
8. Cusco, Peru Located high in the South-East Peruvian Andes, the city of Cusco is the starting point for many travellers on their journey to climbing Machu Picchu. Often called the cradle of Inca civilization, Cusco offers much to entice the visitor and is well deserving of an extended stay. The history of Cusco as the center of the Inca empire began in 1,200 AD, when Manco Capac officially founded the city. However, it was not until 1,400 AD, under the rule of Pachachutec that the city expanded to become an administrative and military hub for the Inca people with a complex architectural and societal structure. When visiting Cusco, it is a good idea to allow for at least two days to see the sites and acclimatize before hiking the Inca Trail. At an elevation of over 11,000 ft, taking the time to get acclimatized before beginning your trek can help prevent you from developing altitude sickness during your visit. The city also has a number of attractions that are worth exploring. If you want to learn more to help with your Cusco travel plan, click HERE. Cusco, Peru explorerspassage.com 10
9. Permits to Machu Picchu When travelling to Peru, there are a few necessities every person needs to remember. The most important thing, is that you have bought your permits. Because the Inca Trail is protected by the Peruvian government for it s natural and historical significance, only five hundred individuals are permitted to hike the Inca Trail each day and only 200 hundred of those permits are allocated for trekkers. The remainder are for expedition staff such as guides and porters. Due to the worldwide popularity of the Inca Trail trek, permits must be purchased before you leave for Peru. Permits for the Inca Trail reservations used to go on sale in January of each year. However, for the 2019 season, permits went on sale in October of 2018. In past years, April and May have sold out in a few days and June, July, and August, in some years, have been sold out as early as mid-february. Once you decide on the dates that you would like to go, your Tour Operator can help you secure your permits on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The Magnificent Machu Picchu explorerspassage.com 11
10. When to Visit Machu Picchu Traditionally the most popular time to go to visit Machu Picchu is between April and September. With the rainy season over, most tourists and travellers will have planned to take their trip during these months. Machu Picchu is open all year round. Most people think that it is closed for a period of time each year, but that is only the 4 Day Inca Trail trek which is closed in February. Huayna Picchu and Cerro Machu Picchu mountains, which are both part of the Machu Picchu sanctuary are closed temporarily each year for maintenance. January, February and March The Inca trek is uncrowded, wet and a lot of fun if you like a challenge. Not so many tourists and few queues when you arrive in the city can mean that traveling to and around Machu Picchu in the winter season has it s advantages. Because this city is considered to be a shrine to the Inca Emperor Pachacuti (1438 1472), visiting at this time of year can highlight the quiet beauty that this site was created to be appreciated in. Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Inca April Lovely and temperate, April is a good time to go trekking in Peru and visit Machu Picchu due to the firmer ground and clearer weather. Photography is also beautiful if you want to get some high quality pictures of the city and surrounding forest. May Lovely weather for trekking in Peru and reasonably dry, May is a great time to visit Machu Picchu. Be aware of booking and travel costs though, as May is the start of college travelling peak times, so flights and accommodations can get a touch expensive if you don t plan well in advance. explorerspassage.com 12
June, July, August and September Weather wise, these are the most popular months to travel to go hiking in Peru and to visit Machu Picchu. With dry weather, very little rain and cooler nights, trekking in Peru is more comfortable than at other times of year. The downsides can include accommodations and permits as they will be scarce, as it s the most popular time of year to travel. Expect beautiful surroundings and take lots of Machu Picchu photos! October With a fresh, cool Machu Picchu temperature this is the ideal weather for the Inca trek and some serious photography. Although it is colder than much of the other months, October is reasonably dry, and falls outside of holiday periods which makes it a great time to go hiking in Peru. The off peak season provides choice hotels and quieter experiences when travelling and dining in the local restaurants in surrounding areas. November and December. Surprisingly good weather for trekking in Peru with minimal rain. Due to this being just before the winter break, the queues and tourism in Machu Picchu and surrounding areas are busy but not overcrowded. Also, the hotels in Machu Picchu and transport are still reasonably quiet. explorerspassage.com 13
11. The Inca Trail Trek Machu Picchu The Inca Trail or Camino del Inca is the main route to see the ruins at Machu Picchu. Because there are no commercial roads to Machu Picchu, taking a train or hiking the Inca trail are the two options to gain access to this historical site. In The Explorer s Guide to Machu Picchu, we focus on the hiking options. Below are four alternative routes when trekking to Machu Picchu and it s surrounding sites. Each route caters to different audiences and vary from just one to fourteen days. Classic Inca Trail Trek (4 Days) The Classic 4 Day Inca Trail trek is the most popular. It begins at kilometer 82 on your Inca Trail map at the village of Piscaycucho. You trek 25 miles in 4 days and reach a maximum altitude of 13,776 feet. Trekkers cross the Urubamba River and The Inca Trail pass through many small villages and incredible landscapes along the way. On Day 4 of the Classic Inca Trail trek takes you enter Machu Picchu the way the Incas did, through Inti Punku (the Sun Gate). The One-Day Inca Trail Trek (1 Day) If you are short for time you can do the Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu in one day. To do this you will take the train from Cusco to Kilometer 104 on your Inca Trail map. From here you will hike ~15 km (9 miles) through the Sun Gate to the Machu Picchu sanctuary. This is a great choice to take if you want to view Machu Picchu and experience the Inca Trail trek all in the same day. explorerspassage.com 14
Vilcabamba Traverse Route (1 2 weeks) This is considered to be one of the most difficult routes to climbing Machu Picchu and is 65 miles long. The trail starts at the village of Cachora and then follows up a mile deep canyon and into the ruins of Choquequirao or Cradle of Gold. Continuing across the original Inca road and then through a series of remote villages, the Vilcabamba trail emulates the trek that Hiram Bingham himself took when he first discovered Machu Picchu in 1911. The Lodge Trek (1 2 weeks trek) This is the only trek with a comfortable bed and showers at the end of each day s hike! Still requiring reasonably fit participants, the lodge trek runs along the Salcantay trail through the Cordillera Vilcabamba mountain range, but allows for nightly rests at fully serviced lodges dotted along the route. The trail reaches 15,000 feet before ending up in Machu Picchu. The Inca Trail explorerspassage.com 15
12. Aquas Calinetes Finally arriving at Aquas Calinetes, the real adventure can begin. The town at the base of Machu Picchu, this picturesque but busy hub is where the main train station is situated and bustling tourist industry does roaring trade. With most hostels and hotel lodgings made available in the area, you can spend a night in Aquas Calinetes before setting out to visit the Machu Picchu citadel. Aguas Calientes explorerspassage.com 16
13. Machu Picchu Hiking, Elevation and Altitude Sickness Cusco, Machu Picchu and it s surrounding cities vary in how far they are situated above sea level. Cusco sits at 11,152 feet in elevation, and most tourists must travel through this city to get to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. Taking all possible precautions to avoid experiencing altitude sickness many trekkers spend 1 ½ to 2 days to acclimatize in Cusco before hiking the Inca Trail. If you are doing the standard 4 Day Classic Trek, the maximum elevation that you will most likely reach is 13,776 feet. No matter how physically fit you are, altitude sickness can affect every traveller, and if you don t take the time to get used to the change, it can have a detrimental impact to your entire visit. Machu Picchu is located at 7,972 ft in elevation so most people who have been hiking the Inca Trail for a few days don t feel the altitude as long as they have gotten plenty of rest and stayed hydrated during their journey. Once at the Machu Picchu citadel there are two peaks which you may have the opportunity to climb: Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain. Huayna Picchu is located at 8,924 feet in elevation and Machu Picchu Mountain is located at 10,007 feet in elevation. Both require permits, so make sure you work with your tour operator in securing those ahead of time. TEP s Life-Changing Adventures! Journey back in time and immerse yourself into the world s greatest adventures. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR ADVENTURES! explorerspassage.com 17
14. Key Sites to Visit on Machu Picchu Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary: the Machu Picchu citadel. It is nestled between two mountains Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu and is considered to be one of the most beautiful and scenic sites from the Inca Empire. Walking amongst the ancient walls, doors, stairs and beautiful structures really creates a unique feel to this archeological site which transports you back in time. Wayna Picchu or Huayna Picchu: or young peak is the mountain that rises over the Machu Picchu citadeland provides the backdrop in which the rest of the mysterious city is set. Owing to it s beauty, this was historically host to the high priests daily offerings and prayers to the Inca gods, and many ancient temples were nestled along its ridges. Inca Ruins Intipunku: or sun door was once the defensive fortress of the city, stopping attacks from penetrating Machu Picchu. Watching the sunrise from Intipunku is one of the most spectacular views you will experience on your trip, and it serves as the first point during your approach to Machu Picchu that you will be able to view the whole sanctuary. Intihuatana: or the place where the sun is tied is one of the more well known Inca sites in the Machu Picchu sanctuary. A polished and carved monolith, this stone is situated in one of the three windows of the temple in Machu Picchu. It s importance is apparent both due to its location and four carved vertices which indicate the four cardinal points of the site. Many people who have visited the Intihuatana have experienced a strange aura or energy when in the presence of the stone. explorerspassage.com 18
Phuyupatamarka: Located at over 9,000 ft above sea level, this Inca site s name literally translates to the place of the clouds. Cloaked in thick atmospheric mist and cloud during the rainy season, this site is a must see when you visit Machu Picchu due to it s breathtaking views over the rest of the mountains. This beautiful site contains terraces, baths, and fountains with circulating fresh water. Sacred Plaza: Arguably the most popular landmark in Machu Picchu. Built into the mountain, with breathtaking views, the Sacred Plaza contains three important Inca buildings: The Main Temple, The Three Windowed Temple and the Priest s House. The Sacred Plaza also clearly illustrates the skillful and magnificent engineering and architectural feats undertaken by the Inca. Sacristy: otherwise translated as the house of ornaments is the room used by Inca to sure their ornaments, this building is the most beautiful man made site in Machu Picchu. With huge amounts of stone used to create the three magnificent walls, the Inca also engraved the internal space and entrance stone with intricate carvings. De Sitio Manuel Chávez Ballón: As is the case with Machu Picchu s smaller and more deftly stored artifacts, the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu boats a huge amount of different Inca treasures and smaller sculptures. With the reopening of Site Museum Manuel Chavez Balló, academic scholars and the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu are in correspondence over items to be researched and studied when visiting this site. Located by the train station of Puente Ruinas, this museum and research building is lain out in seven different sections, chronologically telling the story of the different inhabitants within the sites around Machu Picchu. Principal Temple: This is the main temple to see in Machu Picchu and holds itself at the highest point and position in the city. Located at the center of the Sacred Plaza, the location of this temple holds great historical significance to the Inca tribe, as the plaza square also includes two of the great temples in the city. The temple itself has a magnificent structural design, in keeping with this architectural style of the time. Ceremonial Baths: Often located at the front of a temple site, there are several clear areas reserved for the ceremonial baths located throughout the city. Using the mountainous terrain to channel water over walls and into the bathing areas to insure fresh water, these baths were and continue to be an area of socializing, and communication. explorerspassage.com 19
Royal Tomb & the Temple of Three Windows: A very popular site to visit when traveling to Machu Picchu, the royal tomb and the three windows located within are a symbolic reference to the Inca emperors who ruled the city. There are many contradicting theories and research papers that have tried to shed light on to the reasoning behind the three windows located in the tomb, however even scholars cannot agree as to the reason for their obvious significance. Prison Group: otherwise known as the central plaza, this luscious green flat plane of grass contrasts beautifully with the slate stone carved walls and flat areas surrounding it, appearing to take on the look of an island, amidst the grey stone slate sea. A beautiful spot to visit if you are an animal lover, as llamas and other grazing animals can frequently be spotted lazing throughout these beautiful pastures. On a darker note, at the lowest point of the plaza resides the prison group, a series of passages and cells burrowing under the stone and upwards into different areas of the city. With the long corridors and tiny stone rooms, the feel is that of a claustrophobia and cramped discomfort, hence the name. Temple of the Condor: This is one of the most beautiful examples of the stunning stone work that the Incas are famous for. The Temple of Condor is named as such because of the natural formation the rock it is situated on, looks like a condor in flight. Weathered over centuries, this stone was seen as an important symbol to the Inca tribe representing spirit and higher levels of consciousness. Temple of the Sun: And finally the Temple of the Sun! Located behind a gated urbanized section of Machu Picchu, this feat of Inca design is no less a structural feat. Chosen for its high altitude, the temple is situated here to shows its heavenly attributes as the higher up the structure, the closer it s connection with the Sun. This location was also considered important when carrying out astrological experiments and sacred undertakings. With it s circle of scared stones and dramatic design, this temple is a stunning example of how Inca manmade structures were perfectly complimented by their breathtaking natural backdrops. explorerspassage.com 20
Hi Explorer! We hope you found our Machu Picchu Travel Guide to be informative and helpful. If you have any additional questions on the Inca Trail or Machu Picchu do not hesitate to CONTACT us at 855-208-6800 or info@explorerspassage.com We look forward to seeing you on the trail. Jeff & The Explorer s Passage team explorerspassage.com 21