History records that Christopher Columbus arrived in America in 1492 and found what he considered a group of savages who were treated in the worst way. This culture clash was the trigger for a bloody conquest that plagued the American continent with misery in the name of the Spanish Crown. However, the belief that there was no civilization capable of beating the European, was contradicted four centuries later when the ancient Machu Picchu was rediscovered in Peruvian lands.
The encounter of two worlds as it was named during the first 500 years of that significant navigation, highlights the quality, intelligence, and spirituality of such civilization. Like the Aztec and Maya empires, the Inca is one of the cultures of the Latin American continent from which many aspects of their life are still unknown.
Located on the eastern slope of the Central Cordillera, to the south of the Republic of Peru and at 2490 meters above sea level, the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu receives an average of one million visitors each year, which shows a level of organization, planning and continuous maintenance to avoid the deterioration of the place.
If you want to visit it, you will have the privilege of knowing a World Heritage Site, declared in 1983 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco for its acronym in English).
Additionally in July 2007, “Patallaqta” as it was known in the past, was declared one of the seven wonders of the modern world in a ceremony held in Lisbon, Portugal, after the participation of more than one hundred million voters who voted in favor of this ancestral place.
Ideally, you should get a tour package that allows you to enjoy the trip to the fullest. The costs are a little higher, but you should consider that you are paying for the service and care. Among the recommendations we can offer regarding the existing prices, seniors, students and the disabled take advantage of a 50% discount.
If you prefer to do the adventure on your own, you must set the first goal after your arrival in Lima and Cuzco. From there you will have to travel by bus for about three hours to Aguas Calientes, a town that, as a result of the large flow of tourists, is provided with hotels and inns, as well as a place to buy handicrafts and souvenirs from the visit to Machu Picchu (“Old Mountain” translated into English).
Once you are there, you will only have to decide whether to continue on the Hiram Bingham road or if you catch the train. It is important to note that whatever your choice is, you will have to pay an amount established by the competent authorities of the place.
Additionally, if you are physically fit, you can also access Machu Picchu on foot by the main Inca road. About three days on the road, they promise one of the most pleasant experiences you will remember for a lifetime. No matter how you get there, make sure to visit this splendid and ancestral place that is full of energy and spirituality.
ALFA