Machu Picchu was home to the pre-Columbian civilization Incans. The term 'pre-Columbian' refers to the period of ancient history before Christopher Columbus set foot on what is now American soil in 1492. The Incas dwelt in highland Peru from the 13th Century until they were wiped out by the Spanish in 1572, when the last Incan Emperor, Tupac Amaru, was executed.
It was a professor in Latin American Studies from Yale University, Hiram Bingham, who rediscovered the site in 1911. Since then, what is left of the ruins has fascinated tourists from all over the world. Reasonably intact as far as ruins go, Machu Picchu was selected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1983.
The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu meets criteria (i), (iii), (vii) and (ix) for designation by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. This means that it bears a unique testimony to a civilization which has disappeared, it depicts a remarkable example of man's creative genius, it contains phenomena of aesthetic importance and profound natural beauty and is an ongoing example of evolution in action.
The site is located at an elevation of roughly 8,000 feet (2,430 meters) in the Peruvian Andes. Oxygen levels can be thinner than what the body is accustomed to so the fitter you are before you get there, the more pleasant your visit will be. Some visitors have come home and reported that one good way to prepare is to walk up and down the stairs of a tall building near home. Expect a good five hours daily of that level of activity if you decide to go trekking in the Andes.
Many people recommend acclimatizing yourself to the area for a couple of days somewhere like Cuzco, elevation 3,399 m (11,000') for at least a day or two prior to embarking on an energetic excursion to MP. When you do start climbing, using a hiking pole will take some of the strain off your knees. If you are troubled with any known respiratory or joint ailments, you really ought to consult your doctor before undertaking a trek of this nature.
Proud of their country, Peruvians are very patriotic. This is reflected in the way they want tourists to view Peru, to the extent that there is a high profile police presence protecting visitors from unwanted attention. Even when protesting against the government, the locals are polite and peaceful as well as passionate and loud about their cause.
Spanish is the main language, although Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and English are also spoken here. The lost language of Quipu was invented by the Incas. Less a language than a system of record keeping, Quipu was a system of data recording that consisted of knots tied in various colors of cotton or wool thread. It has been hypothesized that it was used to monitor tributes.
Getting yourself and your travel party to Machu Picchu won't be cheap. Once you get there, however, feeding yourselves and finding a place to lay your head will not be too expensive. The best time to visit is probably in the month of either May or September. Although February marks the beginning of summer time, this time of the year it is extremely rainy. May is good because it should be comparatively free of other tourists and the merchants will be full of energy and eager to serve. Some say that planning your trip so that you complete the Inca trail during the night of a full moon will enhance your enjoyment of the experience.
It was a professor in Latin American Studies from Yale University, Hiram Bingham, who rediscovered the site in 1911. Since then, what is left of the ruins has fascinated tourists from all over the world. Reasonably intact as far as ruins go, Machu Picchu was selected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1983.
The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu meets criteria (i), (iii), (vii) and (ix) for designation by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. This means that it bears a unique testimony to a civilization which has disappeared, it depicts a remarkable example of man's creative genius, it contains phenomena of aesthetic importance and profound natural beauty and is an ongoing example of evolution in action.
The site is located at an elevation of roughly 8,000 feet (2,430 meters) in the Peruvian Andes. Oxygen levels can be thinner than what the body is accustomed to so the fitter you are before you get there, the more pleasant your visit will be. Some visitors have come home and reported that one good way to prepare is to walk up and down the stairs of a tall building near home. Expect a good five hours daily of that level of activity if you decide to go trekking in the Andes.
Many people recommend acclimatizing yourself to the area for a couple of days somewhere like Cuzco, elevation 3,399 m (11,000') for at least a day or two prior to embarking on an energetic excursion to MP. When you do start climbing, using a hiking pole will take some of the strain off your knees. If you are troubled with any known respiratory or joint ailments, you really ought to consult your doctor before undertaking a trek of this nature.
Proud of their country, Peruvians are very patriotic. This is reflected in the way they want tourists to view Peru, to the extent that there is a high profile police presence protecting visitors from unwanted attention. Even when protesting against the government, the locals are polite and peaceful as well as passionate and loud about their cause.
Spanish is the main language, although Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and English are also spoken here. The lost language of Quipu was invented by the Incas. Less a language than a system of record keeping, Quipu was a system of data recording that consisted of knots tied in various colors of cotton or wool thread. It has been hypothesized that it was used to monitor tributes.
Getting yourself and your travel party to Machu Picchu won't be cheap. Once you get there, however, feeding yourselves and finding a place to lay your head will not be too expensive. The best time to visit is probably in the month of either May or September. Although February marks the beginning of summer time, this time of the year it is extremely rainy. May is good because it should be comparatively free of other tourists and the merchants will be full of energy and eager to serve. Some say that planning your trip so that you complete the Inca trail during the night of a full moon will enhance your enjoyment of the experience.
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