Rediscover Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas"! Complete travel guide to Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and other exciting parts of Peru with detailed information about the Inca civilization...
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This old citadel was preserved under dense vegetation for roughly 500 years and is now open to visitors!

Considered to be the most magical city of the World with a wonderful panorama, Machu Picchu attracts thousands of hikers, adventurers, archaeologists, photographers, backpackers and families every day!

Let us be your thorough guide to Machu Picchu and other exciting destinations of Peru!





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Travel Guide to Machu Picchu

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About 500 years ago the Spanish conquistadores, lead by Francisco Pizarro, had raided, burned and demolished Inca cities, but thanks to its remoteness, Machu Picchu had remained undiscovered, thus untouched.

Officially Machu Picchu was discovered in 1911 by American explorer-historian Hiram Bingham. Since then it has become the World-wide renowned mystery travel destination that we know today.

In 2007 Machu Picchu was voted one of the "New 7 Wonders of the World".

 

The wonderful Inca city was strategically built 2.450 m high in the Peruvian Andes. The Urubamba Valley in which the Vilcanota River flows partially surrounds the "Old Peak" on which the ruins are located.

For many photographers visiting Machu Picchu is a dream come true... Wonderful photos can be taken by skilled photographers if the weather is clear...

 

Visiting Machu Picchu is possible by hiking in the Andean Mountains along the Inca Trail or by combining train and bus transportation all the way up to the site.

The most exciting way is to get there through the Andes. Also because it lasts about 4 days and you'll get to see wonderful sights, a number of other sites like: Runcuracay, Huinay Huayna and others. Any trop needs careful planning and preparing, especially if you are arriving from far away!

Read further: Machu Picchu Travel Guide

Read further: Visitor Advice: When and How to Visit Machu Picchu?

Read further: Guide to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo)

 

 

Why Machu Picchu is a Wonder of Construction

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We can only admire the Incas for what they did... They literally flattened the top of a high mountain to build a city comprising of hundreds of buildings with an agricultural production area, irrigation system and other facilities.

The rock cutting and shaping, the dry stone techniques (assembling huge bricks without mortar) used for constructing the buildings of Machu Picchu are still a mystery and only speculations exist about how this could have been done.

Believe it: many of those stone components are still strongly stuck together, you couldn't put a paper between them!

 

Several temples, fountains, a jail and a rock quarry (where they extracted the construction materials), a flat area known as "The Main Square"  and an irrigation system that still functions today are located in the Urban Sector, which is right near the agricultural terrace-filled so-called Agricultural Sector where crops were produced for ensuring food.

There even are buildings on top of the high steep mountain called Huayna Picchu ("Young Peak"), which you can see on most photos of Machu Picchu. Visitors can climb up there and get a complete view over Machu Picchu below.

 

The buildings of Machu Picchu had soft rooftops which had perished forever... But this way one can clearly see the scheme according to which the city was built. It is well structured, organized. The rich lived in one area, the poor or ordinary people in another district.

Sacred objects like the Intihuatana and the temples underline the religious importance of the city...

Read further: The Construction of Machu Picchu

Read further: The Attractions of Machu Picchu

 

 

The Legend of the El Dorado and Myths about Inca Gold

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For hundreds of years in the past archaeologists, professional and amateur explorers have been looking for hidden treasures, lost gold in the northeastern parts of South America, particularly in the Andes.

Legends and myths, stories like those of Paititi (The Lost City of the Incas), the El Dorado legend and others revolving around lost cities and hidden treasures sometimes do have a little basis: many of the locals seem to believe in them and many of these tales are actually part of local popular culture...

 

Some people linked the city of Machu Picchu with lost treasures and TV documentaries still call it "The Lost City of the Incas" or the "Secret City of the Incas", but this is rather an unreal fantasy...

The real value of Machu Picchu is in its aesthetics and archaeological value, not in some hidden treasures or mysticism. If there is gold somewhere, then that will certainly be somewhere else.

But if you want to see a complete guide about El Dorado, lost treasures, hidden cities, then check these articles...

Read further: Inca Treasures, Lost Gold and Hidden Cities

Read further: Lost Inca Cities: Vitcos, Vilcabamba, Machu Picchu, Choquequirao, Paititi

Read further: Paititi - "The Lost City of the Incas"

 

 

About the Much Admired Inca Civilization...

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We admire them so much that some of us have even become Inca fans. Still, even specialists know very little about this once great civilization that dominated Andean South America.

The Inca Empire was the second largest empire in the World, preceded only by the Roman Empire has has left behind tremendous cultural riches and many beautiful legends as well.

 

There is no written information left behind by the Incas because they did not write. This makes this culture even more mysterious. Legends, myths and old Spanish chronicles make this ancient civilization more attractive, mysterious...

Lost cities in dense jungle, hidden treasures, objects and places said to have supernatural powers... this is what comes to the minds of most of us when hearing about the Incas.

Read further: The Inca Empire or The Tahuantinsuyo

Read further: Inca Rulers, Emperors of the Tahuantinsuyo

Read further: Inca Religion

 

 

Machu Picchu in Danger!

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Having survived about 5 centuries, Machu Picchu seemed to have gone over the hardest times: the period of the Pizarro-led Spanish conquest. But no! Greed, commercial exploitation in the form of tourism is the biggest danger that this wonder of architecture has ever experienced!

Thousands are visiting it daily and already the steps and buildings show signs of degradation!

 

If Pizarro's army did not inflict damage on Machu Picchu thanks to its remote location, then tourism will put an end to it if the uncontrolled exploitation continues!

Today an estimated number of 3.000 visitors come to Machu Picchu every day. Millions of boots gallop on the rocks (stpes and internal streets), the result is that the components slowly break, decompose and move from their place...

 

There was a time when rich tourists were taken up to the ruins by helicopter, but the flights were ceased due to the possibility of harming the ruins.

 

Another threat comes from nature...

In this part of Peru landslides, floods are frequent. And, according to a recent study by Japanese geologists from the University of Kyoto, there is a movement of the terrain of about 1 cm (0.4 in), which can result in the slow collapse of the ruins of Machu Picchu.

Read further: Machu Picchu's Irresponsible Exploitation

   

 

Peru Travel Services

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It's essential to check out try Spanish language sites for reservations, as the offers in English and other non-Spanish sites are limited. You'll be able to access vastly larger amounts of services in Spanish.

 

 

The Dreamlike Lost City that Swims in the Clouds...

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The "Old Peak" has become an icon of Peru, the main travel attraction of the country and, since 2007 it is one of the World's New 7 Wonders of the World...

The spectacular views over the once thriving city and the surrounding green mountains of the Urubamba Jungle has impressed many photographers, painters and poets. Among them was the Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda.

 

Neruda wrote...

 

Machu Picchu is a trip to the serenity of the soul, to eternal fusion with the cosmos, there we feel our own fragility. It is one of the greatest marvels of South America. A resting place of butterflies at the epicenter of the great circle of life. Another miracle.

 

The original in Spanish...

 

Machu Picchu es un viaje a la serenidad del alma, a la eterna fusión con el cosmos, allí sentimos nuestra fragilidad. Es una de las maravillas más grandes de Sudamérica. Un reposar de mariposas en el epicentro del gran círculo de la vida. Otro milagro más.
 

The Inca ruins of Machu Picchu are a magical place indeed, but only those know how it really is who have spent a few hours "up there" and have had the luck of clear weather...

It is a once in a lifetime experience and if you are willing to try... then RediscoverMachuPicchu.com will be your guide!

 

 

Machu Picchu Mysteries and Myths

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Machu Picchu is believed to have been built by the Inca Ruler Pachacuti in the 13th-14th centuries (approximately), but for unknown reasons the city was abandoned before the arrival of the European conquerors to the Inca Lands.

Due to its remoteness Machu Picchu remained hidden from the eyes of the invading Spanish conquistadores. It helped it remain as beautiful as it is today, but more myths and stories were fueled by its remoteness...

Speculations and myths are mostly baseless, unreal fantasies, but some do have a bit of truth in them...

 

You might have heard about myths spreading rumours about hidden Inca treasures, a legendary lost city and there even are stories about supernatural powers and even alien activity. Much of that is pure fiction.

But there are Inca legends describing a hidden city where enormous quantities of gold and precious stones were hidden. We don't know about any treasures found in Machu Picchu, but we do know that when its discoverer came across it, it was by accident: he was looking for the legendary Lost Inca City of Vilcabamba.

 

The exact reason for building Machu Picchu is still not known. Specialists have concluded that it might have been some sort of a religious sanctuary, perhaps also a place where the rich Incas had retreated (but before the arrival of the Spaniards). The remote location was probably kept secret from the Inca Empire's population.

Proof that the Spaniards never set their feet on the "Old Peak" is that the sacred Intihuatana Stone is still intact here!

Our article treats the myths, beliefs, rumours for those curious...

 

    

 What is Inside Machu Picchu?

      

Machu Picchu AttractionsCheck out this thorough guide which will unveil the sectors, the buildings and the purpose for which they were built...

[Read more...]

    

 Machu Picchu's Construction

    

Machu Picchu's ConstructionThe Incas had excellent skills when they built this city 2.400 m above sea level from hard rocks without the use of mortar...

[Read more...]

  

 Machu Picchu Maps

    

Machu Picchu MapsAccess orientative maps and schemes, as well as scaled virtual interactive maps of Machu Picchu and the area...

[Read more...]

    

 The Discovery of Machu Picchu

    

Machu Picchu's DiscoveryThe story about how Machu Picchu was discovered and speculations about previous visitors to the ruins...

[Read more...]

  

 Hike on the Inca Trail!

     

Inca Trail Hiking, Adventure TripsTravelers who hike on the Inca Trail get to see archaeological sites and spectacular Andean views that others won't!

[Read more...]

  

 Cuzco & Nearby Destinations

     

Cuzco & Surrounding AttractionsCuzco, the former capital of the Inca Empire and the region around it has some wonderful attractions that you mustn't miss when visiting Peru...

Cuzco (Cusco)

Tambomachay

Sacsayhuamán

Q'enko

Puca Pucara

   

 The Sacred Valley of the Incas

     

The Sacred Valley of the IncasFantastic landscapes and Inca ruins characterize the Sacred Valley where the heart of the Inca Empire was...

Find out more about it!

Ollantaytambo

Moray

Písac

Chinchero

Yucay

Urubamba

Salinas

    

 Exciting Peruvian Destinations!

     

Recommended Destinations in PeruPlaces that you might want to visit when travelling to Peru. From Inca and pre-Inca ruins to boasting big cities and rural areas there is a lot to see!

Chachapoyas, Kuelap & Surroundings

Chiclayo & Surroundings

Cajamarca & Surroundings

Trujillo, Chan Chan & Surroundings

Lima & Surroundings

Peruvian Amazon

Arequipa & Surroundings

Colca Canyon

Ica, Pisco & Surroundings

Nazca Lines

Lake Titicaca & Surroundings

   

 Flights

     

Peru FlightsFor information about air travel possibilities to and from Peru and for flight ticket booking, please check this section...

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 Hotels

     

Peru, Cuzco, Machu Picchu Hotels

Presents recommended hotels near Machu Picchu and other parts of Peru. Helps you find a good place to stay...

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 Trains

     

Trains, Machu Picchu Train SchedulesMachu Picchu train schedules, railway travel possibilities are presented in deep details for your convenience...

[Read more...]

  

 Buses

     

Cuzco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu BusesBuses will take you where the planes and trains won't. Find out here about buses to Machu Picchu and the rest of Peru...

[Read more...]

    

 Tours/Trip Packages

     

Peru, Machu Picchu Tours/Trip PackagesRecommended tour operators and trip package-selling agents are listed here. Pick your trip package or tour with our help!...

[Read more...]

 

 Trip Planning

     

Trip Planning

If you are willing to travel to Machu Picchu, then you must plan everything from packing to getting there...

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 Place Finder Tool

     

Place Finder Tool

Looking for a place in Peru? Use this handy tool to find it on the map and even get its GPS coordinates!...

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 Live Weather & Climate Info

     

Live Weather Report & Climate InformationDetailed climate information and live weather report for multiple Peruvian locations...

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 Advertise on this Site!

     

Advertise with Featured Listings

Buy featured listings on relevant pages to target your clients efficiently and boost your business!

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 Photo Gallery

     

Photo GalleryFine quality photos of Machu Picchu and the rest of Peru. See the people and the beautiful places...

[Read more...]

   

 Video Gallery

     

Video GalleryCollection of carefully selected videos relevant to Peru, Machu Picchu, the Incas and related subjects.

[Read more...]

 

     
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Thank you for choosing Rediscover Machu Picchu, the most popular and complete portal dedicated to Machu Picchu, the Incas and Peru travel opportunities!

 

We have been serving our visitors since 2006 and have received lots of encouraging, stimulating messages, reason why we have extended our services and have improved our site in order to better help you, regardless whether you are a backpacker traveler, an adventure travel-seeker, an Inca fan, archaeologist, professional photographer or even business traveler...

 

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