A Travel Guide for Machu PicchuMariyah Jahangiri

What is Machu Picchu?

Machu Picchu is an ancient historical site

that was built in the 15th century by the

Incan civilization. It is located in Peru, on a

mountain ridge above the Sacred Valley,

which is 50 miles northwest of the city of

Cusco. Most people believe that it was an

estate built for the Incan emperor, Pachacuti, and it is often

referred to as the “Lost City of the Incas” because it was abandoned a

century later after being built. Anyone who is interested in learning

about other cultures and going to historical sites, specifically Incan sites,

should definitely want to visit.

Geography and Climate

Machu Picchu is located between two mountains high above the Urubamba river valley in the Cusco province of Peru, 7,710 feet above sea level. Steep slopes surround Machu Picchu from all side; The Incas accessed it by using the Inca trail. The Peruvian Andes and Amazon have two main seasons,: the dry season which runs from May to September, and the rainy season, which runs from October to April. During the dry season, temperatures can run from 50° F at night to mid 80° F during the day. During the dry season is the best time to travel to Machu Picchu, although this time coincides with the summer holidays in North America. So in order to avoid large crowds, it is best not travel in July and August when it is the busiest.

Attractions

The ruins contain approximately 180 buildings, and there are many things to see, so people who are visiting should try to spend at least a few days to thoroughly explore the area. The Machu Picchu site is divided into two areas: the agricultural area and the urban area. The urban area is further divided into two parts: Hanin (upper area), and Hurin (lower area). The agricultural area is mainly a set of terraces that were built for farming, so mostly the attractions are located in the Hanin and Hurin areas.

More Attractions: Hanin Area

In the Hanin area, the Temple of the Sun is located, which is one of Machu Picchu’s main religious buildings. It’s location and relative position to the sun suggest that is was used for the winter solstice ceremony. Another attraction is the Intihuatana, which is a hill turned into a set of terraces with a pyramid shape. At the top of the hill lies the Intihuatan, known as “Sundial.” a carved piece of stone used by the Incas for astronomical purposes.

More Attractions: Hurin Side

Other attractions in the Hurin side include the Sacred Rock, which is a flat-sided rock placed a pedestal, and it marks the departure point to the Huayna Picchu route. The Sector of the Three Gates is another structure that contains houses and workshop facilities, and faces Machu Picchu’s main square.

Activities

The major activity to do in Machu Picchu is to hike up the Wayna Picchu, which towers above the south end of the ruins. The entire walk has beautiful scenery, and from the top of the mountain you have a birds eye view over the whole site.

Transportation

Machu Picchu is highly secluded and is surrounded by mountains, so getting to the site can be difficult. Either you can take the Inca Trail, or you can take a bus from the nearby bus station called Aguas Calientes. Once you are in the ruins, there are no vehicles, so you will have to get around by walking.

What To Bring

You should bring good, comfortable walking shoes as the only way you can get around the ruins is by walking. You should also bring clothes for cold weather such as sweaters, jackets, and scarves, as it can get very cold in the mountains. Also make sure to bring mosquito repellent, because Machu Picchu is highly infected with mosquitos.

So what are you waiting for? Machu Picchu will be an incredible, unforgettable experience of a lifetime, and you definitely won’t regret going!