Melo Villareal
15 Amazing Facts About Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is a 15th-century city in Peru nestled 2,430 meters high in the Andes. The ruins of this city still to these days lay bare the mysteries of the old Inca Empire. Machu Picchu, located in the Sacred Valley is a gem for travelers, and due to its remarkable history and location, it is one of the 7 wonders of the world. Even though the site draws scores of thousands of visitors to Peru every year, there are many fascinating things that lay beneath the layers of history of Machu Picchu that people still don’t know about, and below are some of them.
Machu Picchu
It is not the Lost City of the Inca as it’s widely known
When Hiram Bingham III came across the ruins of Machu Picchu in 1911, he was actually looking for an entirely different city, called Vilcabamba. The Vilcabamba was where the Inca hid after the Spanish invasion of 1532. For a very long time, Vilcabamba becomes popularly known as the Lost City of Inca. However, Bingham the explorer spearheaded the theory that Machu Picchu and the city of Vilcabamba were the same. This theory was however debunked after Bingham’s death in 1956. The real city of Vilcabamba is believed to have been located about 50 miles west of Machu Picchu. Recent research also seems to dispel the notion that Machu Picchu had at all been forgotten as three families of farmers were living at the location when Bingham arrived.
It experiences frequent earthquakes
Buildings in the entire Inca Empire didn’t use mortar, instead, the stones were cut precisely, and then ingeniously wedged together so that even accredit card can’t be inserted between them. Structures built this way had engineering advantages aside from obvious aesthetic benefits. As it is historically known, Peru is seismically unstable and both the cities of Lima and Cusco have been flattened by earthquakes.
Machu Picchu itself was built on top of two fault lines. During earthquakes, the stones in buildings in Machu Picchu “dance,” which means, they just dance through the quake and then fall back into their original position. It is evident that without this building technique, many buildings in Machu Picchu would have collapsed a long time ago.
Much of the inspiring things are invisible
While Machu Picchu is well-known for its beautiful walls, the Inca people had advanced civil engineering, as it is witnessed by the ruins of their projects. Their skill was impressive despite the fact that the Inca are known to never draft animals, or used wheels or iron tools.
During the construction of Machu Picchu, the site had to be chiseled out of an indentation between two small crests by shifting earth and stone to form a fairly flat surface. According to engineer Kenneth Wright, 60% of Machu Picchu’s construction was done underground. Much of that includes drainages made of crushed rocks, as well as deep building foundations.
You can easily trek up the ruins
While a trip to Machu Picchu is a fascinating venture, it is quite expensive. A train ticket costs around $47 and $62 from Cusco, depending on your choices. On the other hand, a bus trip operating up and down the 2,000-foot-high slope costs $24. But, if you don’t mind a little bit of workout, you can trek up and down, and will not cost you a dime. Also, by walking up and down, you will be following the same path used for the first time by Hiram Bingham in 1911. You will also be able to have extraordinary views of Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary. Climbing up the slopes is a bit strenuous and will take you around 90 minutes to reach the top.
There is a hidden museum
If you are one of those visitors accustomed to the obvious explanatory signs by the national parks, Machu Picchu is different. The site does not provide any facts about the ruins. While this might sound like an inconvenience to most people, it is actually advantageous as it leaves most of the ruins uncluttered. Nevertheless, you can still get little information about the ruins at the Museo de Sitio Manuel Chavez Ballon. The entry is $7, and you can find English and Spanish displays that will help fill in many of the informational blanks about the ruins. You can learn more about Machu Picchu at this museum, like why it was built in the first place, and why the Inca settled on such an unusual natural place for the citadel. But first, you will have to find the museum first, as it is tucked inconveniently at the end of a very long dirt path and close to the base of Machu Picchu ruins.
Machu Picchu was actually divided into 3 sections
First, there was the sacred district, then the popular district, and lastly the nobility district.
It is small but highly optimized
Macho Picchu has an area of about 13 km square, yet there are about 140 buildings and more than 100 flights of stairs made of stones.
Bizarre gateway rules
For outsiders, it is highly forbidden to wear native customary attires at Machu Picchu
There are more peaks to climb
It is usually crowded outside the bus depot in Aguas Calientes because everyone wants to be among the first persons allowed to enter the site. The reason for this is that every day only 400 people are allowed to climb Huayna Picchu – a rhino horn-shaped peak that mostly appears in the background photos of Machu Picchu. This has led to many people forgetting about Machu Picchu Mountain which has a 1,640 feet peak and is twice as tall as Huayna Picchu. Furthermore, Machu Picchu Mountain offers breathtaking views of the ruins and the area surrounding it, more so the spectacular view of the white river Urubamba that majestically winds around Machu Picchu like a snake.
The population of the old city
According to archaeologists and historians, Machu Picchu had a population of around 1,000 people. That is a lot considering the small size of the city. The population comprised of the high class of the society of the Inca people and were known as “IIactas.”
The Spanish never found it
Despite the Spanish conquerors invading the Incan Empire in the 1500s, it is believed that they did not find Machu Picchu.
Ghost stories
There are numerous legends associated with the location of Machu Picchu, for example, it is thought that at night spirits rise from the underground and try to take people away.
Machu Picchu is best equipped for earthquakes than California
As we have mentioned above, Peru is prone to earthquakes, but every building in Machu Picchu is earthquake-resistant, which cannot be said of many modern urban settings.
A film was shot here
The Indian film “Robot” was shot at Machu Picchu though it did not end well for the sit as part of it was damaged by a crane.
A section of the structure is a clock
The Intihuatana was created by the Incas to function as a calendar or astronomical watch.
You will need to visit Machu Picchu in person to appreciate and marvel at its beauty.
How to Visit Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is a fascinating destination located in the Andes mountains of Peru, and one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. Here are the steps to plan a visit to Machu Picchu:
- Decide on the best time to visit: The best time to visit Machu Picchu is during the dry season, which runs from May to September. During this time, there is less rain and the weather is generally more pleasant. However, it is also the busiest time of year, so be prepared for crowds.
- Book your tickets: To visit Machu Picchu, you need to book your tickets in advance. You can purchase your tickets online through the official government website, or through a travel agency. There are different types of tickets available, including entrance to the citadel, entrance to the citadel and the mountains, and entrance to the citadel and the Inca Trail.
- Plan your transportation: The closest city to Machu Picchu is Cusco, and you can reach the site by train or bus. The train journey from Cusco to Machu Picchu takes about 3.5 hours, while the bus journey takes about 4 hours.
- Choose your accommodation: There are many options for accommodation near Machu Picchu, including hotels and hostels in the nearby towns of Aguas Calientes and Ollantaytambo. You can also choose to stay in a nearby lodge, such as the famous Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, which is located just steps away from the entrance to the citadel.
- Prepare for the altitude: Machu Picchu is located at an altitude of 2,430 meters (7,970 feet), so it is important to take some time to acclimate before visiting. Spend a few days in Cusco before your visit to allow your body to adjust to the altitude.
- Bring the essentials: When visiting Machu Picchu, be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water. You should also bring a small backpack to carry your essentials and snacks.
- Consider hiring a guide: A guide can provide valuable insights into the history and culture of Machu Picchu, and can help you make the most of your visit.
Visiting Machu Picchu is an unforgettable experience, and by following these steps, you can make the most of your trip to this incredible destination.
Machu Picchu Travel and Tour Packages
Find the Best Hotels in Peru according to your budget via Agoda.
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