The irresistible interest that Machu Picchu city generates in travelers from all over the world, who long to visit and tour the facilities of the formidable Inca citadel, responds to historical, cultural, archaeological, architectural, geographical, geological, among other aspects of great universal value that have earned it recognition as a World Heritage Site and a wonder of the world. ANDINA/Diffusion
The irresistible interest that Machu Picchu generates in travelers from all over the world, who long to visit and tour the facilities of the formidable Inca citadel, responds to historical, cultural, archaeological, architectural, geographical, geological, among other aspects of great universal value that have earned it recognition as a World Heritage Site and wonder of the world.
Machu Picchu generates an irresistible interest in travelers from all over the world, who long to visit and tour the formidable Inca citadel. This is due to historical, cultural, archaeological, architectural, geographical, geological, among other aspects of great universal value that have earned it recognition as a World Heritage Site and a wonder of the world.
Next, let’s review some of the aspects that make Machu Picchu one of the greatest tourist attractions in the world.
The stone citadel is one of the masterpieces of Inca architecture, of great scientific and cultural importance. It is located northeast of the city of Cusco, 112.5 kilometers away by railway and at an altitude of 2,340 meters above sea level.
With an area of 32,302.5 hectares, this building was declared a Historical Sanctuary by Supreme Decree 001-81-AA of January 8, 1981. It protects the Llaqta or Inca citadel, as well as numerous archaeological monuments of great historical-cultural value and represents the meeting point between the Andes and the Amazon.
According to historians, the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu was built in the 15th century by order of the Inca Pachacútec and functioned as an administrative and agricultural center whose cultivated areas served to sustain its inhabitants.
Although the first direct references to Machu Picchu date back to 1902, when a group from Cusco visited the remains of the Inca building, it was Hiram Bingham, commissioner of Yale University and the National Geographic Society of the United States of North America, who, after his arrival in 1911, began research on what he considered the “last capital of the Inca empire” and was the main disseminator of the existence of Machu Picchu worldwide.
The Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary covers various ecological zones ranging from 1,900 meters to 6,300 meters above sea level, all within the protected natural area. It is home to more than 460 species of orchids and new species are still being described.
This natural area is home to species such as the Andean fox, puma, vizcacha, spectacled bear, white-tailed deer, among others. In addition to more than 420 species of birds, among which the cock-of-the-rock and the Andean condor stand out. To date, 279 species of ferns, 443 species of birds, 84 species of mammals, 22 species of reptiles and 17 species of amphibians have been recorded.
There are around 196 tourist spots within the citadel, including archaeological complexes, squares, temples, water fountains, monuments and residences, all intertwined with each other and with the natural environment.
When touring Machu Picchu, you can see two clearly marked sectors divided by a wall approximately 400 meters long. One is oriented towards agricultural purposes and the other has an urban design. The agricultural area is characterized by the presence of terraces or platforms that were used to grow various foods. Very close to this area, there are some small houses that could have been the homes of farmers.
In the urban area, the Royal Residence is located, characterized by its refined architectural design, larger size and better structural distribution. You can also see the Sacred Plaza, the main ceremonial site of the city; the Intihuatana or sundial, a type of truncated pyramid-shaped monolith; the Three Doorways, a group of buildings made up of three large portals; and the Temple of the Condor, which would have had a ceremonial use.
On December 9, 1983, Machu Picchu was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. On July 7, 2007, it was declared one of the seven new wonders of the world by New 7 Wonders, during the seventh session held in the city of Florence, Italy.
Machu Picchu was chosen as the best tourist attraction in the world and in South America 2022, by the World Travel Awards, considered the Oscars of Tourism. This important recognition is achieved for the fifth consecutive year, having won in this category in the 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 editions.
Currently, the permitted capacity at Machu Picchu is 4,044 visitors per day so as not to affect the integrity of the Inca citadel and maintain the recognition of World Heritage granted by UNESCO.
Although the main current access route to Machu Picchu is the railway that leaves from the city of Cusco, there are other routes that can be traveled on foot and that are part of the Inca Road Network that linked the entire empire called Tahuantinsuyu.
The sections of the Inca Trail leading to Machu Picchu, which are covered on foot and over several days by tourists, especially foreigners, begin in the lush Urubamba Valley and end at the Inca citadel. These routes were not only pilgrimage routes but also trade routes.
Machu Picchu was built between two geological faults in the mountain where it sits, and despite this, it has remained strong over time. Inca engineers and architects made possible an earthquake-resistant construction that is considered an unprecedented human feat.
To this day, it still attracts everyone’s attention how the Incas transported the enormous and heavy stones from the Urubamba or Vilcanota rivers and from other quarries, carrying them up the steep and rugged path to the top of the mountain if they did not know the wheel, iron or had large pack animals.
Another mystery without an easy answer is how the Incas managed to install aqueducts that transport and supply the vital liquid to the Inca citadel and that continue to function today.
Through a complex system of canals, aqueducts and innovative underground drainage systems, the Incas managed to supply water to the population of the citadel.
A visit to Machu Picchu also offers the opportunity to see another mountain located behind it: Huayna Picchu, which is higher and houses the Temple of the Moon, another centre of religious worship in the Inca Empire.
The climate in Machu Picchu is tropical and there are two very distinct seasons: the rainy season (November to April) which makes it difficult to fully enjoy the tour of the citadel, and the dry season (May to October) which is the best time to visit, although it is the high season for tourism and this means a greater influx of visitors and long queues.
In short, the best time to visit Machu Picchu is during the dry season (May to October), when the weather is more favorable and you can fully enjoy the wonders of this archaeological site. However, it is important to be prepared for possible climatic variations and the influx of tourists at this time of year.
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