Visit Machu Picchu and you’ll be exploring one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. This estate, built by the Incas, has become one of the most iconic must-see attractions in South America.
So what’s the big deal? Here’s why you need to put Machu Picchu at the top of your travel wish-list.
1. Awesome Engineering
The structures were made from very heavy granite stones. It’s believed these must have been pushed up the mountains. All the stones were chiseled so that they fitted together like a jigsaw and without the need for any mortar.
It almost beggars belief that humans could have carried out such a feat of engineering back in the fifteenth century.
Around six hundred terraces were constructed to ensure that the buildings didn’t slide down the mountain. A massive canal was designed so that water could be brought in for the fountains and irrigation systems.
2. Aim High and Be One of the Lucky Few
Machu Picchu is set on the side of a cliff nearly eight thousand feet above sea level. It’s so high up that you’ll need to prepare yourself for the physical endurance of the hike to get there.
The government’s limited the number of visitors to Machu Picchu to just two and a half thousand a day. Avoid disappointment by going to Machu Picchu Reservations today.
3. So Many Buildings, So Little Time
The complex is comprised of more than a hundred and fifty buildings. That includes everything from baths to temples. It’s all organized around three main structures, the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows.
4. A Chance to Meet Some Ghosts
A blanket of mist typically covers Machu Picchu until the middle of the day. You really feel quite literally that you have your head the clouds.
The old tale goes that the mists were spirits which rose from the ground to take the people there away. Many people carry mirrors to protect themselves from these ghosts.
5. Learn the Quechuan Language
The Incas talked in a language called Quechua. People still speak it today in parts of the Peruvian highlands.
‘Machu’ translates as ‘old’ from Quechua. ‘Picchu’ is derived from the Quechuan word ‘Pikchu’ meaning ‘pyramid’ or ‘cone.’ Taken together the words have come to be known as ‘Old Mountain.’
6. The Stunning Views
The view from Machu Picchu on a clear day will take your breath away. The ruins are surrounded by towering peaks and have commanding views of the surrounding valley
7. Visit a Mysterious Vacation Home
It’s thought that Machu Picchu may have been built as a royal estate under the orders of the ninth Inca ruler, Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui. He would likely have used it as a holiday home for himself and his family.
His personal dwelling was next to the Temple of the Sun and had the only private toilet on the complex.
Reasons to Visit Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is one of the world’s most extraordinary engineering achievements. Visit Machu Picchu for an experience steeped in history and mystery.
Continue reading our ‘Vacation Destinations’ section to find more great ideas for the adventure of a lifetime.
