Machu Picchu
Information on this impressive archaeological
site in Peru Machu Piccho

The Legendary "Lost City of Machu Picchu" is with out a doubt the most important tourist attraction in Peru and one of the world's most impressive archaeological sites. Built by the Incas on the summit of "Machu Picchu" (Old Peak), overlooking the deep canyon of the Urubamba river in a semi-tropical area 75 miles from the city of Cusco at 7,000 feet above se level.
    Machu Picchu is also one of the Inca's best kept secrets, since they did not leave written records and Spanish chronicles make no mention of the citadel, it remains a mystery. Discovered on in 1911 by the American Yale Professor Hiram Bingham. The building style is "late imperial Inca" thought to have been a sanctuary or temple inhabited by high priests and the "Virgins of the Sun" (chosen women). Excavations revealed that of the 135 skeletons found, 109 were women. No signs of post-Conquest occupation were unearthed.
    The original entrance to the complex is on the southwestern side of the citadel at the end of the Inca Trail, a short walk away from "Intipunko" (Sun Gate) the ancient final check point to Machu Picchu. The present entrance on the southeastern side leads to the agricultural section. 
    The complex can be divided in three distinctly section: Agricultural, urban, and religious. The agricultural area consists of a series of terraces and irrigation channels that serve dual purpose, as cultivation platform- making it self sustained -, and as retention walls to avoid erosion. Some smaller buildings next to large terraces are part of this section and thought to have served as lookout posts. 
    The urban section starts at "the wall" that separates it from the agricultural area, this group of buildings were constructed on the ridge that descends abruptly to the Urubamba Valley. In the southern part of this section is found a series of niches carved on rock known as "the jail" with elements that include man size niches, stone rings would have served to hold the prisoner's arms, and underground dungeons.  The group of refined structures next to the "the jail" is known as "the intellectuals' quarters", with tall walls, nooks, and windows built with reddish stone are considered to have been accommodations for the Amautas (high ranked teachers). One of the buildings has several circular holes carved on the rock floor named the "mortar room" believed to have been used for preparation of dyes. 
    The largest urban section in Machu Picchu, located on the north western part, is reached by a 67 steps staircase and involves a group of buildings not as finely constructed as other parts of the complex. 
The central plaza that separates the religious from the urban section, has a great rock in the center. The religious section contains splendid architecture and masonry work, one of the most important and enigmatic is probably the Intihuatana shrine, this block of granite was presumably used to make astronomical observations.
    Descending the hill next to this site is the Great Central Temple, a three walled building with fine stonework and an attached smaller temple called the "Sacristy". Next to this structure is another three walled building, known as the Temple of the Three Windows, so called because of the trapezoidal openings on the east wall. Directly across is the Royal sector, with ample buildings typical of Inca royalty. A very important structure is this section is the "Temple of the Sun", a circular tower with the best stonework of Machu Piccho. Its Recent studies show that the actual purpose was for astronomical observance. 

The Inca Trail
    To follow the Inca's footsteps on the Inca Trail the highway to Machu Picchu - is an unforgettable experience, few other hikes in the world can offer the variety of breathtaking scenery, from high sierra to tropical jungle, undoubtedly no other will take you though so many well preserved archeological sites. 
    The 27 miles Inca Trail begins at a point know as Kilometer 88. Here the local train from Cusco stops briefly. After crossing the river to 3 to 5 days walk into the past begins... To the right lies the archeological site of Quente (hummingbird) The main trail to the left, gently ascends through eucalyptus grove on easy terrain.
    The first camp-site is at Cusichaca valley (bridge of joy). From then on the trail gets steeper and unrelenting, take deep breaths and pause to observe the beauty around it. The next campsite is a t Llullupampa (plains of Llullucha, a type of herb) where most  hiker elect to end their first day. Start up early the next morning to reach the Warmimanusca pas (dead woman). The highest point of the trail at about 13,800 feet high. Traces of Inca history are evident, ancient stops and a wealth of archeological treasures lie ahead. The trail descends to the Pacamayo (sunrise) river, where there are good camping sites. Runrurukay (egg hut) is the first reward the oval shaped complex has a magnificent view oft he the Pacamayo Valley, believed to have served as a lookout post and  tampu (travelers) more passing between two lake before reaching  with a superb view. From then on most of the trail is down hill. 
    Following the trail to the left another impressive Inca constructions is found ahead Sayamarca (dominant town), built at the end of a abrupt ridge with a sweeping view of the Acabamba valley (wavy plain) and the Inca trail. Form this point the path contours the mountain ridges passing a 20 meter tunnel. After the third pass at 3600mt. one encounters the spectacular view of the Urubamba Valley and soon after the beautiful site of Phuyupatamarca (town above the clouds), a restored Inca construction holding several ceremonial baths. Just ahead there is a camp site with the most impressive view of the entire trail. 
    The next major site along the trail is Winay Wayna (forever young) reached via an incredible 2 meter wide granite staircase, cut into solid bedrock straight down in the high jungle. The archeological area along with this section of the trail are recent discoveries. Winay Wayna s about 6 minutes walk south of the trail, built on a steep slope surrounded south of the trail, built on a steep slope surrounded by agricultural terraces. A large circular building overlooks a set of ten ceremonial baths, a small square marked by to buildings, and a amazing platform that ends in 200 meter cliff. From Winay Wayna the trail crosses open mountainside and then enters dense cliff-hanging cloud forest to finally pass through "Intipunku (Sun Gate), the royal entrance to the culmination of the journey: Machu Picchu. From this point you get an spectacular view of the Huayna Picchu and of the "Lost City of the Incas" 

CLIMATE
The weather in the Machu Picchu area is usually warm. April to November is the dry season, December o mach is considered rainy season and the weather in more variable. January and February are the wettest months.