One of the greatest unsolved mysteries of South American civilization is Machu Picchu. The ancient Inca city looks like a dream and reality surpasses the imagination. Situated between the crest of two mountains along the Peruvian Andes at more than 2,400 meters above sea level, the almost intact remains of an ancient culture consisting of alcoves, terraces, plazas, and temples make this ancient city the premiere archaeological site of South America. Once you get there, it is not difficult to imagine the inhabitants of the place and the priests and Inca royalty that made the existence of the city possible in the 1400s.
The ancient holy city of the Incas, or the so called 'Lost City of the Incas", occupies about 33 hectares on a flat plateau. It is situated at an altitude of 2700 m above sea level in the Valley of Urubamba, nestled in the two peaks of Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu. Excavations carried out in Machu Picchu unearthed the world famous Gateway of the Sun, now referred to as the "Intiuatana and Observatory".
Pachacuti started a huge campaign of diplomacy and conquest that resulted in the extension of the Incan Empire to the other parts of the South American regions, reaching the Southern and Central Peruvian Highlands. Pachacuti and his sons managed to conquer large parts of the Peruvian coasts, Argentina, Chile and Bolivia.
From Puerto Maldonado, fly to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. Cusco was once located at the crux of the four regions of the Inca Empire which gave the emperor the ability to rule such a vast amount of territory from one location. In fact, Lima was only founded and declared the capital by the invading Spanish because of its coastal location, prior to colonialism Cusco was the most important city in Peru. In addition to Cusco you will want to visit the Sacred Valley, a lovely, lush valley in the Andes with ruins scattered about and linked by the intricate network of trails developed by the Inca's.
As Machu Picchu has long been associated with sun worship, attending the ceremony is a great way to get a feel of the authentic rituals which were conducted on the grounds of Machu Picchu during solstices of the sun. The most important temple to the sun god, Wiracocha, was housed at Machu Picchu and therefore Inti Raymi couldn't be a more apt start to your Inca trail trek.
It was confirmed as a The Country's Historical Attraction in the early part of the 20th Century and garnered a distinction as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since the Machu Picchu was not plundered and destroyed by the colonizing Spaniards, its structure remained intact and became an important cultural location and is measured as a consecrated location based on the Incan's religion. Machu Picchu was acknowledged as a part of the New Seven Wonders of the World throughout a telephone and online polls accomplished by the New7Wonders foundation.
The perplexing structure of Machu Picchu, the most important and exquisite legacy of the Inca people, is a part of the Historic Sanctuary with which it shares its name. It is also among just a few sites in all of the Americas that rank on the World Cultural AND Natural Heritage Lists put forth by UNESCO. Located atop a mountain almost 8000 feet above sea level, this sacred site celebrates and enhances the breathtaking natural beauty that surrounds it. It is truly a unique location, making it easy to see why Machu Picchu tourism continues to expand.
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