Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail

The citadel of Machu Picchu is by far the most important tourist attraction in Cusco, and is located three hours by train from the city, although it can be reached by helicopter (30 min.) or on foot (four days, via the Inca Trail).

Discovered in 1911 by the American explorer Hiram Bingham, this citadel isconsidered to be one of the most extraordinary examples of landscape architecture in the world. Situated in an enclave on the saddle of a mountain overlooking the deep canyon of the Urubamba River, in an area of lush tropical forest, it served as a place of worship, a site for star-gazing and a private hacienda of the family of the Inca Pachacútec.

It consists of two main areas: one agricultural, formed mainly by mountains and food stores; and the other urban, which is noted for its sacred zone, with its temples, squares and royal tombs built with consummate skill. The stairways and canals carved out of stone are recurrent throughout this remarkable archaeological site. Opposite the citadel is the Huayna Picchu mountain, which can be reached via a winding stone walkway.

Necessary precautions must be taken during the rainy season (December through March).

The Inca Trail
At kilometre 88 of the Cusco-Quillabamba railway line lies Qoryhuayrachina, the starting point for one of the most famous trekking trails in Peru. During the four-day trek, the hiker will cross through a number of altitudes and come across dozens of ecosystems situated between 2,800 and 4,000 masl. In addition, they will also be able to take in a splendid view from the imposing snow-capped mountains in the region.

The Inca Trail visits the beautiful stone citadels of Phuyupatamarca and Wiñay Wayna, among 16 other archaeological sites before ending at Machu Picchu. A relaxing bath at Aguas Calientes, 2 km from the train station, complements the 40 km circuit.

The Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary
This Historical Sanctuary, which was established in January 1981 and covers an area of 35,592 hectares, is much more than a collection of archaeological sites located in a misty tropical setting. Due to its strategic location, on the eastern slope of the Andes, it extends across one of the most extraordinary sectors in the country. The geographical location also allows it to protect, in an area covering just 20 square kilometres, ecosystems varying from the year-round snow found at 6,000 masl, to the steamy tropical jungles to be found at just above 1,700 masl.

This sanctuary is home to a number of spectacular species, such as the Peruvian Cock-of-the-rocks (national bird); the spectacled Andean bear (also called the ucumari), which is the only bear species in South America; the small deer, or sachacabra; the tanka taruca; and over 300 species of birds. Furthermore, over 200 species of orchid have been found, many of which grow only in the sanctuary.

Seen from the air, the sanctuary is shaped like a half-open book, with the mighty Urubamba River flowing in a north-westerly direction through the middle, and two giant mountain ranges, the Urubamba and Vilcanota, forming a deep valley covered with tropical vegetation. The two most important peaks in this valley are the Wekey Willka, or Veronica (5,750 masl) and the majestic Salkantay (6,271 masl), which are considered to be the Apus, or guardians spirits of the region.

Source: PromPerú (Comission for the Promotion of Peru).

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