Ilya Melnik
As I already wrote, the most exciting trip of the first half of 2018 for me and my family was a trip to Peru. I will not be afraid to once again express the most enthusiastic epithets about her and once again recommend everyone to visit her.
Many people think that Peru is interesting only because it is home to the legendary Machu Picchu, the Incan city lost in the clouds, but this is not at all the case. In previous publications, I talked in detail about the so-called Sacred Valley of the Incas and the Cusco region, which are of no less interest to the traveler. Moreover, even outside the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Peru there are many interesting things - the Ica stones, the Nazca Lines, Lake Titicaca, the Amazon jungle - so Peru is a country that you can come to again and again.
The idea of visiting Machu Picchu arose spontaneously in our family, as an extension of a planned trip to Brazil. At first this idea was rejected due to the very difficult logistics. A quick search showed that Machu Picchu is a rather inaccessible place, which is not easy for adults to get to, but we were planning a trip with children. However, in fact, you can get to Machu Picchu quite easily, including with a preschool child, subject to proper advance planning. I described in detail how to do this here
Machu Picchu is one of the new wonders of the world, the most visited attraction in Peru (more than 1 million tourists per year). The ancient city of the Incas, founded, as official science believes, in the middle of the 15th century, is located in hard to reach place high in the mountains at an altitude of 2450 meters above sea level. At the foot of the rock flows the Urubamba River (the sacred river of the Incas, flowing through their entire sacred valley).
Before going into detail about amazing story Machu Picchu, I want to immediately emphasize that this is truly the most stunning place I have seen that was created by human hands. Emotions when you find yourself in this city are overwhelming, even despite the crowds of tourists (and if you arrive in the morning, you can avoid the crowds). This is a definite must-see, friends. Be sure to add it to your travel calendars.
"Discovery" of Machu Picchu
The “official” date of the discovery of Machu Picchu is considered to be July 24, 1911, when Yale University professor Hiram Bingham reached it, accompanied by the son of a local resident. Bingham and his expedition explored the slopes of the Andes and stopped for the night in the hut of an Indian family.
The owners' little son was literally fascinated by the big white stranger and did not leave his side all evening. Bingham gave the boy a shiny one-sol coin, not even suspecting that in return he would receive a truly priceless treasure. The little Indian led the scientist to the ruins of an ancient city.
Even a cursory examination was enough for Bingham to understand that he had just made a great discovery.
"Discoverer" of Machu Picchu Hiram Bingham (first from left)
Like many things related to Machu Picchu, this “discovery” date is a myth (or convention, whatever you want to call it). The fact is that at the end of the 19th century, Europeans began to learn about the existence of a “celestial” city. There are documents that in 1894, another local farmer, Augustin Lizaraga, showed Machu Picchu to a certain Luis Ugarta, and in 1901, Lizaraga and two of his friends wrote their names on a rock near Machu Picchu. Bingham knew this very well, but tried not to advertise such facts.
Machu Picchu remained unknown only to Europeans: there is plenty of evidence that local residents were well aware of the existence of this place. Thus, the terraces of Machu Picchu were used by the Indians after the arrival of the Spaniards, which was recorded in the tax reports of the Augustinian monks of the 16th century. Moreover, by the time of the “discovery” of Machu Picchu by Bingham, several families lived on the territory of the ancient city who used the same terraces to grow local crops.
At the same time, one should not belittle Bingham’s merits either - after all, it was he who first began to study Machu Picchu as a professional historian, archaeologist, and scientist. True, a number of authors believe that he was not far removed from ordinary robbers who plunder antiquities, since during his three subsequent expeditions (1912-1915) he sent more than 5,000 artifacts to the United States, supposedly for a while, for research, but they remained in America and were returned by Yale University only in 2007 after prolonged demands and threats from the Peruvian government.
Despite all their efforts, historians and archaeologists have been unable to find any indication of the actual name of the city used by the Incas. The words “Machu Picchu” (translated from the language of the Quechua Indians who inhabited Peru before the Spaniards, literally means “Old Mountain” - as opposed to “Huayna Picchu - “Young Mountain”) was first used to designate this city by Hiram Bingham, as they say, for lack of anything better.
Date of foundation
Machu Picchu and the age of the ancient city Historians associate the founding of the city with the name of the Supreme Inca Pachacutec (1438-1471), i.e. The official date of the founding of Machu Picchu is considered to be the mid-15th century. However, there are many facts that indirectly indicate a much more ancient age of this city.
The official version of the story appeals to a comparison of the buildings located in the center of Machu Picchu with the buildings located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas and in Cusco. These buildings are made in a similar manner of polygonal masonry, which I already wrote about last time with admiration and delight, and official historiography considers them to be the authors of the Incas, which means that Machu Picchu could only be built when the Inca Empire was created. Yes, yes, we are talking about those Incas, whose 12 million-strong empire was conquered by a detachment of two hundred Spaniards who did not know the wheel or writing. It sounds like complete nonsense, in my opinion, it is nonsense, however, if you come to Machu Picchu and take a guide, they will convince you that this is how it happened.
If we turn to the facts, they are inexorable: along with Inca objects, Bingham found in the city many stone axes, bones of ancient bison, obsidian tips and ceramic products of the pre-Inca period. This, of course, is not about the fact that the city was built with stone axes, but it was known to the people living here for a very long time, obviously not 100 years before the Spanish conquest.
In his descriptions of Machu Picchu, Bingham, who devoted his entire life to it, repeatedly speaks not about the Incas, but about an unknown ancient civilization:
“The main thing is the delight of discovering here and there under hanging grapevines or perched on the top of overhanging rocks the massive stone structures of a past race" (H. Bingham)
When speaking about the age of Machu Picchu, historians cite radiocarbon dating data as an argument, which satisfies the majority of the general public. However, radiocarbon dating is applicable only to organic matter, i.e. With its help, it is in principle impossible to determine the age of the stone and buildings made from it. The organic matter found near this stone (for example, dishes) is analyzed, and at least a strange conclusion is made that if the jug dates back to the 15th century, then the building in which it is located also has this age. It’s as if in 1000 years archaeologists will begin to determine the age of the Moscow Kremlin by some random plate from the presidential service.
In my opinion, the most important argument in favor of the much older age of Machu Picchu is on the surface. Like many things in Peru, Machu Picchu combines two types of buildings:
- those in the creation of which technologies were used that are not inferior or even superior to modern ones (to paraphrase - built by some other, clearly not Incan civilization),
- and those that were built directly by the Incas.
At first glance, the architecture of Machu Picchu fits well into this formula - the city center is occupied by “houses for the nobility” and “temples” with high-quality masonry (outlined on the map with a red line), and much simpler buildings are located on the outskirts of the city (in area outlined in yellow) - see the map of Machu Picchu (it is in Spanish, but the photographs and inscriptions are quite clear):
Map of Machu Picchu. Yellow the “profane” zone is highlighted, the “sacred” zone is highlighted in red. On the left on the map are the terraces (agricultural sector). There is a small ditch between it and the city.
However, there are a number of places where this harmonious logic is clearly violated, and very seriously. The most indicative is the complex of buildings, which are usually called “workshops” in guidebooks. This is a whole row of houses located near the central square (on the map - the border between the yellow and red zones), just opposite the so-called “temples”:
Two levels of technology in the “workshops” (from the book by A. Sklyarov “The Sacred Valley of the Incas”)
The lowest tier of the “workshop” complex is represented by the already well-known megalithic polygonal masonry made of well-processed granite blocks laid without any mortar. However, the second tier of the same houses shows us a completely different construction technology: above the clearly visible border there is already a masonry of much smaller, poorly processed blocks, held together with clay mortar. This is understandable if we assume that the Incas “inherited” Machu Picchu and completed their construction here on the remains of ancient buildings. But this is practically inexplicable from the standpoint of official historiography, unless the architects and builders suddenly lost their qualifications or suddenly died (jumped into an abyss or something like that). There are fundamentally different phases of construction, separated in time and radically different in technology, with later technologies turning out to be much more primitive.
And, of course, this happened not only “vertically” - as in the case of workshops, but most often - horizontally. The Incas built their structures on the periphery, around the center of the city, built long before them by a completely different civilization.
Population and purpose of Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu has approximately 200 structures, leading archaeologists to conclude that its population must have been around 1,000 people at its peak. At the same time, already in the middle of the 15th century the city was suddenly deserted (no one knows why), and Bingham managed to find only 173 human skeletons in it.
IN different sources information is being circulated that of these 173 skeletons, 150 belong to women. This conclusion was made by Hiram Bingham himself, from which he concluded that the best girls from all over the empire were brought to Machu Picchu, apparently to form the harem of the Supreme Inca. This is a fallacy, nothing more than a legend. Scientists from the University of Massachusetts concluded that of the 173 remains found, only half belong to women. And the appearance of the city is more reminiscent of convent, but an impregnable fortress.
Works against the version of the “harem capital” of the Inca Empire complete absence in Machu Picchu, any gold objects and jewelry that the Incas actively used when decorating their main capital, Cusco (remember the field of golden corn cobs near Coricancha).
So, the version of a secluded place where selected concubines were taken to the emperor seems untenable. What then was the purpose of this city? Different scientists have expressed different versions, of which the most convincing seems to be the version of a kind of “Vatican”, the existence of which was not particularly advertised. Anyone who has visited Machu Picchu will see the sacred nature of this place - it is truly extremely unusual and filled with completely indescribable energy.
When thinking about the purpose of the city, we must not forget that it was founded not by the Incas, but by another, much more advanced civilization. In the book “Sacred Valley of the Incas” that I have already mentioned, Andrei Sklyarov puts forward the version that this place was ideal for the “gods” to rest, away from the “man-apes” knocking bananas off palm trees with sticks. Be that as it may, apparently no one is destined to know the final truth.
Important tips for visiting Machu Picchu
- From July 1, 2017, the procedure for tourist access to Machu Picchu has once again changed. An innovation has been introduced that you cannot turn around and walk around the city in different directions— all the paths are organized so that they form a large ring. There are guards in different parts of it who do not allow you to go against the flow and force you to go forward. So, this path inevitably leads you to the exit from Machu Picchu, and in order to re-enter the city, you need to go through the turnstile again. When we were in Machu Picchu (May 2018), you could make an unlimited number of entries with one ticket during the time interval indicated on the ticket (from 6:30 to 12:30 or from 12:00 until the complex closes). While preparing this material, I read that in the near future they plan to cancel the possibility of multiple entries into the complex using one ticket.
- You cannot buy tickets before entering Machu Picchu! This should be done at least in Aguas Calientes (or even better, order them in advance via the Internet). How to do this is described in detail in my publication “How to get to Machu Picchu without going crazy.”
- Officially, you cannot bring any food or drinks with you, but bags are practically not searched, and usually you can bring something in (a sandwich or at least water). You can eat and drink right in front of the entrance to Machu Picchu, the price is high, but not more expensive than on Red Square :).
- Unfortunately, quadcopters are strictly prohibited in Machu Picchu. Just completely. There is an article on Vinsky’s forum about how the guys finally launched the copter, carrying it piece by piece with the help of guides, but they were quickly caught and ended up with a bunch of problems. I tried to get permission in advance, but to no avail. By the way, in principle, importing a quadcopter into Peru is a hemorrhoidal enterprise. At the border you have to pay a customs duty of 25% of the cost of the copter, and then get it back when leaving. However, this takes time, which is not always available at the airport, and Peruvian customs officers are the same as ours (well, you understand).
- Don't trust the weather forecast. The weather at the top is unpredictable - it’s best to play it safe and buy plastic raincoats. Weather programs may tell you that there will be sunshine, but you may find yourself in a terrible downpour (in fact, as happened to us).
Actually, Machu Picchu. It's beauty!
To conclude this long publication, here are a few photographs and notes directly from our walk through this ancient city.
Having climbed a half-hour serpentine road on a special bus, we found ourselves in a terrible downpour. While we were putting on our raincoats, we managed to get wet, plus the raincoats themselves turned out to be no ice either. The mood was so-so, because the sky seemed hopelessly overcast with clouds. We decided not to wait out the rain under the roof at the entrance (as most of those arriving did), but to wander upstairs, taking advantage of the opportunity to take pictures of Machu Picchu with a minimum of tourists.
In the background is Mount Huaynu Picchu. To climb it, you need to buy a special ticket, but it's worth it. We recommend it to anyone traveling without small children.
Fortunately, after about an hour the rain subsided, the clouds began to disappear and the weather began to improve, and these changes happened quite quickly. A satisfied alpaca dries in the sun:
One of the many alpacas grazing on the terraces of Machu Picchu
I’ll say something banal, but photographs don’t convey even a hundredth of the emotions that you experience in this city. I will quote the “discoverer” of Machu Picchu Bingham:
“In the variety of its charms, in the power of its charm, I know of no place in the world that can compare with it. Besides the enormous snow-capped peaks rising more than two miles above the clouds; gigantic cliffs of multi-colored granite rising vertically thousands of feet above the foaming, sparkling and roaring rapids, this place also has a striking contrast of orchids, ferns and trees, the attractive beauty of luxuriant vegetation and the mysterious charm of the jungle. The continuous surprises in the deep, windy gorge, turning and twisting past overhanging cliffs of incredible height are irresistible.” (Hiram Bingham)
The feeling is that you are just walking next to the clouds - that’s how it is!
Machu Picchu is a mysterious city of the ancient Inca tribe, located in Peru. It got its name thanks to the American Hiram Bingham, who discovered it during an expedition in 1911. In the language of the local Indian tribe, Machu Picchu means “old mountain.” This place is also known as the “city among the clouds” or “city in the sky.” This mysterious and picturesque corner is located in an inaccessible mountain peak height of about 2450 m. Today the holy city tops the list of memorable places South America.
The true name of the monument of Indian architecture remains a mystery - it disappeared along with its inhabitants. An interesting fact: local residents were aware of the existence of the “lost city of the Incas” long before its official discovery, but carefully guarded the secret from strangers. 
The purpose of creating Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu and its location have always been considered sacred by the indigenous population. This is due to the fact that there are several purest sources of spring water, which is of paramount importance for human life. In the past, the city existed in isolation from the outside world, and the only means of communication with it were Indian trails known only to initiates. 
The nearby Huayna Picchu cliff (translated as “young mountain”), in its shape resembles the face of an Indian facing the sky. Legend has it that this is the guardian of the city, frozen in stone. 
Today, researchers are still concerned with the goal of creating a city in such a remote and inaccessible place - on the top of a mountain surrounded by dense forests and high peaks. The issue is still open for discussion. According to some scientists, the reason for this could be the beauty of the local nature, others are convinced that it is due to the powerful positive energy of this territory. 
The most popular assumption is about the location of the rock tops suitable for astronomical observations. Apparently, this allowed the Indians to get a little closer to the Sun, the supreme deity of the Incas. In addition, many structures in Machu Picchu were clearly created for the purpose of studying the starry sky. 
With a high degree of probability, this place served as the main religious center, intended for visits by astronomers and astrologers. Students from elite families could also be taught various sciences here. 
The city, apparently, does have a strong patron. It is known that during the attack of the Spanish conquistadors on the Inca Empire in the middle of the 16th century, Machu Picchu was not damaged at all: strangers never had a chance to learn about its existence. 
Pearl of ancient architecture
The architecture of the city, carefully thought out by Indian architects, can amaze the imagination. modern man. The ancient complex, located on an area of 30,000 hectares, is recognized as a real pearl of antiquity. 
When Bingham's expedition first examined the city, archaeologists were struck by the carefully thought-out layout and rare beauty of the buildings. It remains a mystery how the Incas were able to lift to such a height and move huge stone blocks reaching 50 tons or more in weight. 
The engineering thought of the ancient Incas is amazing. Some scientists offer a version about the alien origin of the authors of the mining project. The terrain was chosen with the expectation that the city would not be visible from below. This arrangement ensured complete safety for the residents of Machu Picchu. The houses were built without the use of mortar; the builders created best conditions for a comfortable stay in them. 
All buildings have a clearly defined purpose. The city has many astronomical observatories, palaces and temples, fountains and swimming pools. The size of Machu Picchu is small: approximately 200 buildings were built, which, according to rough estimates, could accommodate no more than 1,000 inhabitants. 
The central temple of Machu Picchu is located in a western direction from the center. Behind it is a raised platform with a long staircase leading visitors to the Stone of the Sun (Intihuatana) - the most mysterious landmark of the entire architectural complex. 
Considering that the ancient Incas did not have tools similar to modern equipment, one can only imagine how long it took to arrange this beautiful place. According to some estimates, the Indians built Machu Picchu for at least 80 years. 
Abandoned Shrine
The existence of the city is associated with the era of the reign of Pachacutec, known to historians as a great innovator. It is believed that he chose the ancient city as a temporary residence during the hot season. Scientists have found that people lived in Machu Picchu from 1350 to 1530 AD. e. It remains a mystery why in 1532, without completing the construction, they left this place forever. 
Modern researchers believe that possible reasons for their departure are:
- desecration of a shrine;
- epidemic;
- attack by aggressive tribes;
- civil wars;
- lack of drinking water;
- the city's loss of significance.
The most common version is about the desecration of an Inca shrine - violence against one of the priestesses. The Incas may have considered that even animals were not allowed to live on the desecrated land.
No less popular is the assumption of a smallpox epidemic among the local population. Perhaps most of the city's residents passed away as a result of the outbreak of this disease. 
Attack by aggressive neighboring tribes and civil war many researchers consider it unlikely, since no traces of violence, armed clashes or destruction were found on the territory of Machu Picchu.
The lack of drinking water could prompt residents to decide to leave their home. 
Also, the city could have lost its original significance after the disappearance of the Inca Empire under the onslaught of the Spanish conquerors. The inhabitants could leave it in order to protect themselves from the invasion of strangers and to avoid the implantation of Catholicism, which was alien to them. Finding out the true reasons for the sudden disappearance of people continues to this day. 
Machu Picchu in the modern world
Today, Machu Picchu is much more than an archaeological site of antiquity. This place has become a shrine of the Andes and the real pride of its country.
Many mysteries of Machu Picchu are still unresolved. A special place in the history of the city is occupied by the long-term search for the missing gold of the Incas. As you know, the Indian shrine was not the place where he was found. 
City all year round is open to visitors and remains of great interest to scientists. Thousands of researchers go on long journeys, wanting to contribute to uncovering the secrets of Machu Picchu. 
A trip to this wonderful place will be unforgettable and will give you many memorable photos. Numerous tourists who arrive annually in the “city among the clouds” invariably feel the unique spirit of this mysterious place. From numerous terraces extend beautiful views on river landscapes, and by climbing the neighboring mountain Huayna Picchu, you can examine the structure of the city in detail. 
Machu Picchu was awarded the title of one of the new 7 wonders of the world, and was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
It is located about 100 km from the capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco, in the mountains at an altitude of 2450 meters above sea level and is so secludedly hidden in the Andes that the Spanish colonialists could not reach it. We became aware of this city in 1911 thanks to the American scientist from Yale Hiram Bingham. Although in fairness it should be noted that local residents always knew about Machu Picchu, but were in no hurry to share information with strangers.
How Machu Picchu was discovered
The history of the discovery of this city is very interesting: the fact is that Hiram Bingham was looking for a completely different city - the legendary Vilcabamba, where, according to the legends of the Incas, many of their treasures and mummies of rulers were taken during the conquest of the country by the Spaniards. Bingham wandered through the mountains in the hope of finding some trace of this city and on the way he met a boy carrying a ceramic jug. Bingham, being a scientific specialist, immediately realized that the jug was not simple, and asked the boy where he got it. Adult locals did not trust the gringo and tried not to give away their secrets, but the boy, out of his simplicity, told about Machu Picchu and showed Bingham the way.
New 7 Wonders of the World
Today, the construction of Machu Picchu seems incredible - the stones were transported from remote quarries: they were lowered down wet clay slopes, dragged along logs, and then they were polished so perfectly that even now it is impossible to insert a knife blade into the cracks of the joints! Machu Picchu fits amazingly into the surrounding landscape, which is why it is often called “the city in the sky” or “the city among the clouds.” The triangular roofs of his buildings seem to be part of the landscape. This is an engineering and architectural masterpiece: to build such a city, the builders had to have extensive knowledge of topography, geology, astronomy and ecology: natural slopes were used during construction, and the construction technique ensured the stability of the buildings even if the rock tilted 40 degrees or in the event of an earthquake.
City designation
It is not known for certain why Machu Picchu was built. According to documents of the 16th century, this was the residence of the Supreme Inca Pachacutec (1438-1470), which after his death turned into a place where the children of noble families of Cuzco were sent for education. Men studied astronomy, and women studied textiles. According to another version, the city had a military and defensive purpose: firstly, it ensured control over the surrounding tribes subordinate to the Incas, and secondly, Machu Picchu controlled access to fertile tropical and subtropical regions where fruits, pumpkins, and coca were grown and various medicinal plants - the most important products of that time.
Inhabitants of Machu Picchu
The city existed for just over 100 years - until 1532, when the Spanish colonialists invaded the territory of the Empire. At this time, the inhabitants of Machu Picchu mysteriously disappeared. According to one version, this happened because Machu Picchu depended on the capital, Cusco, for food, and when the Spanish conquerors arrived and food supplies stopped, hunger gradually forced the residents to leave the city. According to another, 5,000 residents belonging to the common classes went to fight against the Spaniards, and 3,000 nobles went to the legendary Vilcabamba and took their treasures with them. But perhaps the reason for their disappearance lies in something else.
Return of artifacts taken from Machu Picchu
2011 marked the 100th anniversary of the “grand opening” of Machu Picchu by Yale professor Hiram Bingham. After discovering the city, the professor explored it to the best of his ability and took a huge number of artifacts found there to Yale. Since then, Peru has been in years-long negotiations with the United States to return the artifacts to their homeland, and in 2010 an agreement was finally reached. In 2011, more than 4,000 artifacts returned to Peru and were exhibited in one of the museums in Cusco.
Huayna Picchu (Waynapicchu, Huayna Picchu)
(Huayna) Wayna Picchu is the mountain you see in all the classic pictures of Machu Picchu just outside the city. Translated from the Quechua language, this name means “Young Mountain”, while “Machu Picchu” means “Old Mountain”.
Wayna Picchu has many residential and temple buildings. The path to the top is quite dangerous; it can only be attempted by people with good physical fitness. There are many people who want to go up there, but a limited number of people can go there: only 400 people per day. To be included in this number, you need to buy an entrance ticket to Machu Picchu in advance, which includes passage to Wayna Picchu. This ticket costs $10 more than a regular ticket.
When to go to Machu Picchu
The weather allows you to travel to Machu Picchu throughout the year. The dry season here lasts from April to October, and the rainy season from November to March. You can explore Machu Picchu even during the rainy season, you just need to take an umbrella and a raincoat: the rain comes intermittently and sometimes the sun comes out. In addition, during this period there are fewer tourists and you can walk around the ruins more calmly.
The temperature is fairly even throughout the year, with strong fluctuations in day and night values: -1 / +14C degrees at night and +23 / +27C during the day.
How to get to Machu Picchu
If there are several ways to get to Machu Picchu:
- The most popular: take the train to the town of Aguas Calientes. You can get to it from Ollantaytambo station, which is an hour's ride by minibus from Cusco, or from Poroy station near Cusco. This is the route along which the excursion to Machu Picchu takes place.
- The most interesting: walking along the Inca Trail. Classic trekking is designed for 4 days and average physical fitness. There is another very beautiful one walking route to Machu Picchu: Salkantay trekking.
- The most budget option: travel from Cusco to Ollantaitambo by minibus or bus. Then take buses first to Santa Maria, then to Santa Teresa and Hidroelectrica. This transfer will take 7 hours. From Hydroelectrica you can walk to Aguas Calientes in 2 hours.
Please note: tickets to Machu Picchu are limited. Choose your visit time and book your excursion in advance!
Tours to Machu Picchu
We offer:
Rules for visiting Machu Picchu
The main provisions of the rules for visiting Machu Picchu, in force since 2019:
- Visitors are responsible for scheduling their visit to Machu Picchu in advance.
- The time spent on the territory of the archaeological complex is limited and depends on the type of ticket.
- Visitors can only enter Machu Picchu with a guide.
- You can use the entrance ticket to Machu Picchu once; you cannot visit the ruins a second time in a day using the same ticket.
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Ticket type |
Entry time |
Release time |
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Ruins of Machu Picchu |
From 6.00 to 7.00 |
No later than 11.00 |
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From 7.00 to 8.00 |
No later than 12.00 |
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From 8.00 to 9.00 |
No later than 13.00 |
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From 9.00 to 10.00 |
No later than 14.00 |
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From 10.00 to 11.00 |
No later than 15.00 |
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From 11.00 to 12.00 |
No later than 16.00 |
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From 12.00 to 13.00 |
No later than 17.00 |
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From 13.00 to 14.00 From 14.00 to 15.00 |
No later than 17.30 |
Only 400 tourists per day can climb Wayna Picchu. 200 tickets are available for the 7am rise and 200 for the 10am rise.
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Ticket type |
Entry time |
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Ruins of Machu Picchu and Mount Wayna Picchu |
To Wayna Picchu: from 7.00 to 8.00 |
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To Wayna Picchu: from 7.00 to 8.00 |
7 hours (3 hours to the ruins of Machu Picchu and 4 hours to visit Wayna Picchu) |
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To Wayna Picchu: from 10.00 to 11.30 |
6 hours (3 hours to the ruins of Machu Picchu and 3 hours to visit Wayna Picchu) |
Only 400 tourists per day can climb Mount Machu Picchu. 200 tickets are available for the 7am rise and 200 for the 9am rise.
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Ticket type |
Entry time |
Maximum time spent on the territory of Machu Picchu |
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Ruins of Machu Picchu and Mount Machu Picchu |
To the territory of Machu Picchu: from 6.00 to 7.00 |
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To the territory of Machu Picchu: from 7.00 to 8.00 To Mount Machu Picchu: from 7.00 to 8.00 |
8 hours (3 hours to the ruins of Machu Picchu and 5 hours to visit Mount Machu Picchu) |
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To the territory of Machu Picchu: from 8.00 to 9.00 To Mount Machu Picchu: from 9.00 to 10.00 |
8 hours (3 hours to the ruins of Machu Picchu and 5 hours to visit Mount Machu Picchu) |
A permit to climb Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu is purchased along with an entrance ticket to the ruins of Machu Picchu, subject to availability on the desired date.
The main attraction of Peru.
Due to numerous requests from readers, we have changed something here. Now the pictures are stored on my small hosting instead of on flickr, and I increased the size of the long side to 918 pixels. If you have any comments, write!
Machu Picchu (literally "old peak") is sometimes called the "lost city of the Incas." This city was created as a sacred mountain retreat by the great Inca ruler Pachacutec a century before the conquest of his empire, around 1440, and functioned until 1532, when the Spanish invaded the Inca Empire. In 1532, all its inhabitants mysteriously disappeared.
There are two ways to get to Machu Picchi: by train or by car. By train it is cheaper and much more comfortable, but you need to book tickets in advance, and it costs more than by car. It is better to buy train tickets yourself at the station in Cusco. You can’t get to Machu Picchi from Cusco with your own car, so you’ll have to take a tour. Tour prices start at $120 per person overnight. The biggest problem is the road, since it goes through the pass, many cannot withstand the constant serpentine and elevation changes of several thousand kilometers and they come green. More than half of the road is a dirt road, which is completely impossible to drive along. Since there is no direct road connection with Machu Piccha, the last leg will still have to be taken by train.
The city is of no interest. The only attraction is the thermal springs (entrance $10), but due to large quantity people, it’s not very pleasant to be there. There are few hotels, mostly hostels for 20-40 dollars per night; it’s better to find a hotel on your own, as travel agencies will try to slip you a bedbug. There is one good hotel for $150 per night.
The entrance ticket to Machu Picchu costs $40, if you have ISIC then $20. Buses run from the city to the complex from 5 am. The ticket costs $7, you can walk there, but it’s hard, since you have to walk up the stairs along the serpentine road along which buses run. It is forbidden to bring large bags into the territory of the complex; they must be handed over to a storage room; you also cannot use professional photo and video equipment. Lenses larger than 200mm are considered professional, so it’s better to put them in a bag or hide them in advance. I had to leave the video camera and 28-300 at the checkpoint.
Due to its modest size, Machu Picchu cannot claim to be a large city - it has no more than 200 buildings. These are mainly temples, residences, warehouses and other premises for public needs. For the most part they are made of well-processed stone, slabs tightly fitted to each other. It is believed that up to 1,200 people lived in and around it, who worshiped the sun god Inti there and cultivated crops on the terraces.
For more than 400 years, this city was forgotten and was in desolation. It was discovered by an American researcher from Yale University, Professor Hiram Bingham on July 24, 1911. When he got here, accompanied by a government-supplied security detail and a local boy guide, he discovered peasants living there. As they told him, they lived there "free, without unwanted visitors, officials recruiting 'volunteers' for the army, or tax collectors." In addition, sight-seekers have been here before, leaving their names inscribed in charcoal on the granite walls.
The road from Machu Picchu to Cusco is a wonderful example of the art of Inca builders. Even during the rainy season the road is in excellent condition. The entire empire was covered by a wide network of communications, approximately 40,000 km long. Roads in the Inca state were primarily of strategic importance - troops had to pass along them. In addition, they promoted cultural exchange between all regions of the state. Thanks to roads, people learned from each other the arts of ceramics, weaving, metalworking, architecture and construction.
The Incas did not know wheels, and mountain roads were most often stepped. Those that passed along the ocean coast were specially fenced on both sides with adobe walls that protected them from the sun, wind and sand drifts. If there was a swampy lowland on the way, an embankment was made. Stone bridges were built across the rivers and suspension rope bridges were thrown over them, which were considered sacred objects by the Incas - death awaited anyone who damaged the bridge.
To build a city in such an inconvenient place for construction required incredible skill. According to civil engineer Kenneth Wright and archaeologist Alfredo Valencia Segarra, more than half the effort spent on the construction went into site preparation, drainage and foundation work. Massive retaining walls and stepped terraces have supported the city for more than 500 years, preventing rains and landslides from sweeping it off the rocky cornice.
In the morning, chinchillas run out onto the rocks to warm themselves, but more on that tomorrow!
It's me!
But throughout South America. Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Only for this “city lost in the sky” (altitude 2450 meters above sea level), recognized as one of the seven new wonders of the world, is it worth visiting Peru.
History of the discovery of Machu Picchu
In 1911, an American scientist Hiram Bingham led another expedition to search for Inca gold. In the mountains, Bingham met an Indian boy who said that he knew the location of an entire abandoned city in the mountains. The expedition immediately set off. Once there, Bingham was amazed by the scale and beauty of the complex.
The place was called Machu Picchu, which translated from Quechua means “Old Mountain”, and the settlement on the neighboring mountain - or “Young Mountain”. Overall, of course, it was one single city. Only Huayna Picchu (pictured below), judging by its location above the main city, served a defensive function. Some are of the opinion that this was the residence of the Inca Pachacutec.
After an exhaustive search, no gold was found in Machu Picchu. However, the city itself was of great interest to scientists. The discovery was truly a worldwide sensation. After all, most of the buildings are remarkably preserved - the city was not discovered by the Spanish conquerors. And the engineering thought of the ancient Incas was amazing: Machu Picchu provided everything for the most comfortable life.
Today Machu Picchu is the most visited attraction in Peru. To ensure the safety of the archaeological complex, the Peruvian authorities have introduced visitation quotas. A maximum of 2,500 people can visit Machu Picchu per day, and only 400 can visit Huayna Picchu, and only as part of excursion groups. You should know that all visitors are registered with the provision of passports. Therefore, to visit Machu Picchu, you must register on the website in advance. Well, if you are traveling to Peru as part of an excursion group, then you have nothing to worry about, everyone will do it for you!
The Incas had serious knowledge in the field of urban planning. The terrain was selected so that the city was not visible from below, where the river flows Urubamba(pictured right). This provided undisturbed security for Machu Picchu. At the same time, the city cannot be located at the very top of the mountain, since in this case there will be problems with water supply: water from mountain streams must flow naturally through special gutters. Incas found perfect solution for city planning. You can get acquainted with the plan diagram of Machu Picchu in a high-resolution photograph and see how perfect the engineering thought of the Incas was, how carefully thought out the plan of the city was.
The Incas used every meter of the territory, adapting to the existing topography whenever possible. And only if it was completely impossible to somehow use the place, it was bypassed.
In the construction of buildings, the Incas often used their famous polygonal masonry. After all, they built without cement, and the houses had to be resistant not only to winds, but also to attacks from potential enemies. With polygonal masonry, the stones fit so tightly together that it is impossible to stick a needle between them. Some even believe that this masonry was made not by the Incas, but almost by aliens, so perfect are the buildings that have passed through time and still look like new to this day.
To be fair, it is worth noting that not all buildings are made with such ideal masonry. Most Inca cities used different types of masonry. Presumably, ideal polygonal masonry was used only for the most important buildings and where particularly strong walls were needed, as can be seen for example in a fortress. More daring versions are that polygonal masonry was used by civilizations before the Incas.
Although the Incas built without cement, all the buildings, even those made with ordinary masonry, are perfectly preserved to this day, as if the Incas lived here quite recently. Except that the wooden parts have completely collapsed, but you can see the projections that secured the roofs (photo on the left), and you can see the grooves for making floors in two-story buildings (photo on the right).
Machu Picchu is a completely autonomous city. There are traditional carefully fortified Incan terraces on which maize, potatoes and other crops were grown. Traditional Indian llamas and alpacas grazed on them, which provided the Incas with wool and meat. All possible free areas were used for terraces, even seemingly completely steep ones. The Incas knew how to value every meter. By the way, such terraces are not called in Quechua " andenas", it is from this word that the name of the South American part of the Cordillera comes - Andes.
And along the streets, as before, spring water naturally flows: the Incas were masters of irrigation. They built not just water pipelines, but entire fountain complexes from which they drew drinking water, and performed various rituals. It's time to talk about the Inca religion...
Temples of Machu Picchu
According to the main version of archaeologists, Machu Picchu was built under the leadership of the great Incas Pachacuteca in 1440, even before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. And the inhabitants of the city disappeared around the time the Spaniards arrived. No one knows the reasons for the disappearance of the residents. The city was not large; between 500 and 1000 people lived in it. Machu Picchu served as one of the main residences of Pachacutec and his nobles, which is why so much attention is paid to the religious aspect.
There is a sacred stone at the highest point of Machu Picchu. Presumably, he performed both a religious function and the function of a kadendar. The shadows from the ledge could make it clear when to start certain types of agricultural work, and with the ledge itself the Incas tried to “bind” the sun during the spring and autumn equinoxes, when the sun was exactly above the stone and shadows did not fall. It was at this time, as the Incas believed, that the sun saturated Intihuatana to its maximum.
Located in the central temple complex Main temple(photo above, left side), where sacrifices were made, and Temple of Three Windows(photo above, central part), the purpose of which scientists are still arguing about. Perhaps it symbolized infinity. According to other versions, he spoke about the origin of the Incas and served to worship the ancestors.
Temple of the Sun(photo left) was extremely important to the Incas. After all main god there was Inti, the sun god (note the Egyptian analogy - the sun god Ra). Therefore, the temple was built with special care, and in its very center there is a specially hewn top of the rock. The location of the windows was not chosen at random: on the day summer solstice a streak of light appears on the stone. This suggests that the temple may have served both a ritual role and a calendar role.
Has a special architecture Temple of the Condor(photo at right), so named because of the obvious visual similarity. The wings, shaped like the ends of rocks, are carefully lined with stone slabs. In the center there is a recess with strange protrusions - shelves carved into stone. In front of the temple there is a large stone in the ground that resembles a bird's head. Presumably, the stone was a place of sacrifice - there is a drain, possibly for blood. It is likely that the temple was used as a prison.
Mysteries of Machu Picchu
Since the Incas did not have a written language (except for knot-rope writing), reliable information about ancient Machu Picchu has not reached our days. Scientists are still arguing about many issues:
- Who built Machu Picchu?
- Were buildings with polygonal masonry and conventional masonry built at the same time? The same people?
- For what purpose was Machu Picchu built so high in the mountains?
- Who lived in Machu Picchu? Just the Incas or someone else?
- Why did the inhabitants of Machu Picchu leave the city, although it was not destroyed by the conquistadors, and there were no signs of an epidemic?
A lot of cutting-edge research is being carried out, more and more new facts are being found, but so far it has not been possible to fully answer all the questions listed.
If you want not only to look at Huayna Picchu from the outside, but also to visit the mountain, then you need much more time than to visit only Machu Picchu. In addition, we must take into account that excursions have a special schedule (usually starting in the morning), and as mentioned earlier, access to this mountain is limited. But the most important thing is that to climb Huayna Picchu, you need serious physical preparation: the path is quite difficult, you will have to overcome many climbing steps, the elevation difference is almost 300 m. And the abysses along the paths are not for the faint of heart. Well, for those who definitely want to visit this place, in the photo below there is information photographed right at the entrance to Huayna Picchu.
Inca Bridge, Montana Picchu and Intipunku
If you have enough time, then from Machu Picchu you can hike not only to Huayna Picchu. There are others interesting places, by the way, unlike Huayna Picchu, they are free to visit.
An hour of ascent (2720 m) is the peak (Gate of the Sun). It offers an excellent view of Machu Picchu, and also has its own interesting buildings.
Mount Machu Picchu- a worthy goal for climbing. But you need to understand that the height of the mountain is 3082 meters, and the beginning of the path will be at 2450. It’s up to you to decide whether you are able to make such a journey and whether you have enough time. Again, it is worth remembering that at this altitude there is much less oxygen in the air, and the climb is extremely difficult, especially with a backpack on your back. But the view from the mountain will, of course, compensate for the difficulty of the path. From here you can clearly see both Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu.
Another extremely interesting place - inca bridge. The place is, frankly, creepy. Along a narrow path, with an abyss on one side and a rock on the other, you go to a bridge, which is even more unsafe. It is recommended to visit with a companion, or even better, with special equipment.
How to get to Machu Picchu
In comfortable carriages with panoramic windows, the trip will be very pleasant. There are trains from two companies and carriages with different levels comfort. But even the most inexpensive tickets suggest a very interesting trip. Trains depart from or from. It is important to know that it is impossible to drive to Machu Picchu by car. The last place to park your car is Ollantaytambo. From there you need to take a train to the town of Aguas Calientas, and from there a bus along the serpentine road (the elevation difference is 700 meters - it’s a bit difficult on foot!) will take you to Machu Picchu.
It is also worth keeping in mind that tickets are not sold at the entrance to Machu Picchu; they can only be purchased in advance via the Internet or in Aguas Calientas. By the way, both Aguas Calientas and Ollantaytambo are very interesting cities to visit (read in the section on the cities of Peru), and both deserve to stay there overnight so that visiting Machu Micchu will not be rushed. This place requires serious inspection.
2) There are also budget method visiting Machu Picchu - on foot. This method also has its own charm: you will climb along a real T Rope Inca. The Incas at one time built a large-scale, extensive network of such roads. They have survived to this day - the Incas built conscientiously. Routes to Machu Picchu can take anywhere from several hours to several days. It all depends on where you will start your route.
Have a great trip to Peru and visiting Machu Picchu!