"Machu Picchu" a Machu Picchu Travel Page by Paul2001

Machu Picchu is the big ticket attraction in Peru and the primary reason why this fascinating country receives so many tourists. For certain it is the most wonderous archeologocial monument in South America and arguably all of the Western Hemisphere. For all the praise that it receives as an attraction one could fear that the place might be a bit of a letdown. It is not. I have seen many of the world's archeological ruins and perhaps only Petra and the Pyramids of Giza are as awesome as Machu Picchu.
One of the principal reasons that Machu Picchu is so captivating is of course is its setting. Machu Picchu is located across a mountain saddle, hanging over two cliffsides with a high peak scenicly place as a backdrop. The valleys that surround Machu Picchu are covered with damp green cloud forest.
This history of the place is also quite fascinating. Dating from the mid 15th century, it was built by the Incas and Emperor Pachacuti as a ritual centre. However like many Inca religious sites, it also served as an economic centre and fortress. Machu Picchu was never captured by the Spanish during their conquest of Peru in the 16th century. It was however abandoned by the Inca after this conquest was complete and largely forgotten until 1911. In that year it was re-discovered by Hiram Bingham with the help of a 11 year old local boy.
To visit Machu Picchu you will have to empty out your wallet. If you choose to hike the Inca trail, then it will cost you $60 to $250 to arrange for the equipment and guide. To travel there by train, which is how I visited will cost you anywhere from $58 to $86 depending upon which train you take. As for entering the actual grounds, admission is $20. This is all very sad as one Peruvian mentioned to me. As Peru is a very poor country, very few Peruvians can actually afford to visit Machu Picchu. The fact is virtually everyone I saw there was a foriegn tourist.
The site opens at 6am in the morning and closes at sunset.