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Machu Picchu: The famed ruins of the IncasBy D.K. Bhaskar
I purchased an entry ticket and a bus ticket separately from two government counters. A thirty minutes bus drive zigzagged up a 2,000 feet high mountain amidst the most spectacular mountain views. Upon arriving at a check point, an unforeseen difficulty awaited me as I was stopped from carrying my photographic paraphernalia. “What a shame”, I mused! The most photographed place perhaps in the whole of Peru had strange rules and restrictions with regards to the amount of photographic equipment one could carry! A rude shock awaited me as a security guard demanded a special permit to carry two cameras. I put on my persuasive hat and argued for some length of time and finally common sense prevailed over chaos. Phew!
Machu Picchu not only attracts explorers but captures the
fascination of botanists, geologists, archeologists and romantic couples too.
The overpowering majesty of the mountains is a treat to nature enthusiasts and
adventure lovers.
The name "Machu Picchu" comes simply from its geography. It literally means "old peak", just as "Huayna Picchu" is "young peak". The more accurate translation relates, however, to the concept of size, with Machu Picchu as the “bigger peak" and Huayna Picchu, the "smaller peak".
Another view point to get a spectacular sight of Machu Picchu is from the sun gate also called as Intipuncu. Most hikers from the Inca trial wake up early on the last day of their hiking programme and come to this gate before sunrise to get the first glimpse lighting up the stone ruins. Most often the clouds moving briskly over the complex confer a painting like effects on the incredible landscape. The best months for visiting are May to September. May is
the prettiest month (the dense, subtropical mountain forests are exceptionally
green) while August is the best all around month. The least desirable period is
from October to April- the rainy season. How to reach:
Trekking to Machu Picchu One of the most popular trekking routes in the world is the four day trek to reach the site of Machu Pichu. It is worth every pain in the bones and muscles. Beginning from the 82nd kilometer of this incredible trek, one gets to see glorious landscapes interlaced with a superb diversity of flora and fauna including orchids, pumas, spectacled bears, mountain cats and a variety of birds, from the Andean condors to the Inca Wren. Entrance to the Archaeological Ruins of Machu Picchu The citadel of Machu Picchu is open to visitors from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Some distant areas, such as Huayna Picchu, close before this time (at 3 p.m.), and you must register when you climb this peak. Climbing takes about an hour depending on the ability to climb. It is quite disappointing that the visitors are not allowed to stay back to witness sunsets from the ruins for safety reasons. However, if you set your imagination free and envisage tall mountains consuming the burning ambers of the setting sun from the middle of an abandoned city, you will see my point. Surrounding Machu Picchu Hot Springs Towards the east, 800 m away from Aguas Calientes, are the famous thermal waters, which give their name to this town. They are sulfur waters at different temperatures, springing from the rocky soil. Mandor Waterfalls Visiting Mandor Waterfall is an unforgettable adventure. It is an area of lush forest surrounding the town of Machu Picchu. Wayna Picchu Its name means "Young Mountain" in the Quechua language. This pyramidal mountain, across from Machu Picchu and slightly above the citadel, has many archaeological sites.
Shopping at Aquas Calinetes: This small sleepy town is entirely dependent on tourism. Plenty of small time sellers are depend on their lively hood by selling artifacts and handicrafts for the visitors to carry a special piece of memento from this extraordinary place. |
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TM
My plans of reaching Machu Picchu,
the famous ruins of the Incas and one of the most frequented wonders of the
world at the first stroke of dawn were dented by a heavy downpour. At half past
eight, I set out on my adventure regardless. Rainwater was gushing down the hill
tracts and a river could be heard thundering nearby. A cool breeze brushed past
the valley and had the ferns and leaves swaying along the mountain-side.
Without further wasting any more time, I quickly cleared
additional security requirements and was headed straight towards the spectacular
ruins of the Incas. Legend has it that just before a Spanish conquest, Machu
Picchu was mysteriously abandoned and that too was when it was still in its
golden age. "The lost city of the Incas", remained forgotten for the next 400
years. In the year 1911, Hiram Bingham an explorer from Yale University
“rediscovered” it and started the reclamation process. I felt strange vibes
about this fabulous place and had my imagination traverse back a few hundred
years in history.
The first sight of this magnificent landscape totally
captivates you with its clay and stone architecture, spotlessly clean
surroundings and a carpet of lush green vegetation. The towering mountain ranges
of Putukusi, Huayna Picchu and Wyna Picchu confers an unusual dimension to the
gorgeous architecture. Built over carefully chiseled stone blocks, the ruins
bear testimony to the intricate engineering skills of the Incas. Machu Picchu
comprises roughly around two hundred temples, storage facilities, and houses.
Machu Picchu stands 2,430 m above sea-level, in the middle of
a tropical mountain forest, in an extraordinarily beautiful setting. It was
probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at that height; its
giant walls, terraces and ramps seem as if they have been cut naturally in the
continuous rock escarpments. This natural setting, on the eastern slopes of the
Andes, encompasses the upper Amazon basin with its rich diversity of flora and
fauna.
The vegetation surrounding this historic place is equally
astounding. The entire area is called as the Machu Picchu sanctuary and is home
to some spectacular bird life. Just within the sanctuary, one can identify more
than 125 species of birds. As I walked past the ruins of the complex, birds of
varied hues and colors and llamas moved past unhurriedly. I was lucky to spot a
critically endangered bird species named sword-billed humming bird as I walked
down the delicate stone steps from Huayna Picchu.
By Train: There are three trains running every day for the
112 KM journey between Cusco and AGUAS CALIENTES. Named as Back packer, Vista
Dome and Hiram Bingham, all the trains leave Cusco early in the morning to
return back to Cusco in the evening. All the trains cater to the foreign
tourists only and no locals are allowed. Price of the tickets varies among the
three kinds of trains where in Hiram Bingham is the most expensive charging
around 300 USD for a day trip.
In all, Machu Picchu is a must see destination for every
single person. The tall mountains surrounding the majestic ruins add a mystical
dimension to this historic marvel. I wonder how much more commanding the place
must have been when it was at its golden peak. Clearly the mystery about this
place continues to charm thousands of tourists who set their foot on the sacred
land of the Incas. Before I visited Machu Picchu my aim was to go there
personally to see the wonder of the world. Now that I have come back from there,
my only ambition remains to go back there and probably configure all the missing
links in our knowledge of this wonder. Machu Picchu anybody?