Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu

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Machu Picchu or as it is sometimes refered to, "Old Peak" is a pre-Columbian Inca site located 2,430 metres or 8,000 ft above sea level. It is located on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, which is 80 kilometres or 50 miles northwest of Cuzco and through which the Urubamba River flows. To many it is deemed "The Lost City of the Incas". Machu Picchu is one of the most notable historical sites of the Inca empire.

It is in a subtropical zone. As a result of this the climate is mild, warm and damp, with temperatures averaging 130 degrees Celsius year round in the day. There are two specific seasons during the year. The first is the rainy season which lasts from November to March. During this season there is a lot of heavy rain fall. The dry season lasts from April to October and is associated with higher temperatures. Tour guides will normally advise visitors to dress in accordance with the seasonal alterations.

Of the many things to be seen in Machu Picchu the flowers and animals that reside there are of particular interest. There are numerous varieties of animals and plants. The more common plant life in the historic reserve of Machu picchu is inclusive of pisonayes, q'eofias, alisos, puya palm trees, ferns and over 90 species of orchids.

Animals that may be seen in the reserve include the spectacled bear, cock-of-the-rocks or "tunqui", tankas, wildcats and a awe-inspiring variety of butterflies and insects that are unique to the region.

The guided tour of Machu Picchu is initiated on a path that leads from the bus terminal. The path which was carefully constructed to accommodate tourism enters the massive structure in the section that holds a set of rooms that are nearby the outer wall. The path passes through a terrace and then into the agricultural zone just before coming up on the urban area.

The massive is divided into two areas: the agricultural and the urban. There are main squares, temples, palaces, storehouses, workshops, stairways, cables and water fountains which run through both areas. The agricultural sector measures 20 hectares while the urban area measures 10 hectares.

Its complete architectural design was strongly based on Cuzco, which is the capital of the Inca empire. Machu Picchu was built in accordance with its natural surroundings. Its construction follows the natural curves and dips and rises that are noticeable in the land.

There is railway line that runs between the city of Cuzco and the station of Puente Ruinas or Machu Picchu. The trip begins in the station of San Pedro in Cuzco, after which the train makes it way up the Picchu mountain until it reaches the highest point an area deemed "El Arco" (in English the arch), located in the northwest part of the city. The route then goes down to the villages of Poroy, Cachimayo and lzcuchaca until it arrives at the Anta plains, which is a well known cattle area. It climbs down the gully of Pomatales before once again making a descent to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. At this part of the journey it arrives at the station of Pachar. The train will then make it last stop at Machu Picchu.

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Please visit these links for more information on the Machu Picchu:Machu Picchu-I and Machu Picchu-II.



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