"Machu Picchu - electric atmosphere and... " a Machu Picchu Travel Page by hermesus

For many people one of the most important reasons for going to this part of Peru is the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. This is the most amazing and well known short trek in the world. If you do it properly it is not only a physical but also a spiritual experience. I did the 4-day version. It is 43 magical kilometres. Beautiful passes, of which the highest is called ‘the Dead Woman’s pass’ – almost 4300m; amazing vegetation – cloud forests, cactuses, flowers; Inca steps, tracks and ruins plus many more stunning elements. The trek in it self is not very difficult. Even though it could be a bit crowded with fellow trekkers it is still worth doing. The buzz you get when you get up at 3 o’clock in the morning the last day to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu is something unforgettable. Machu itself is vibrating with some sort of magical energy. It is quite hard to describe. It is very secluded.

Machu Picchu was undiscovered (scientifically) until early XX century. Spaniards didn’t have a clue it even existed. This very fact saved the place. It is intact. Magnificent, surrounded by the mountains from all sides, it used to harbour an unfinished secret city of about 1000 people. When I was there I had the feeling that the breathtaking views were adding to the atmosphere rather than creating it. If you ever get the chance to go there, you have to.