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purpose only. MachuPicchu-Inca.com does not offer any Tour or
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Welcome! You have just stepped into a site where you
may get all the information you need to know on fabulous Inca city
-Machu Picchu. Not only that, if you like to know about
Incas-
the creator of Machu Picchu, or
Hiram
Bingham - the discoverer of Machu Picchu - all are here.
So what is Machu Picchu!
- It is the most fabulous city in South America. Its beauty is blended
with the great history of Inca people. The mysterious city, hidden deep
in the green Urubamba Valley's jungle, high on a mountain top had been
brought into attention of the outside world by Hiram Bingham, a famous
Yale historian, and since then it is attracting people from all corner
of the world. But is that all? I don't know. But to me Machu Picchu is
something more than a nice city. Actually you are traveling all the way
to Peru, not just to uhh... let's say, to see it. Rather you want to be
there to feel the ancient city. When you look around the ruins, you feel
the warmth of Inca people around you. That is where the enjoyment comes
from. It is not merely looking at the structures made of gigantic stone.
We all know that at this modern age with present technology any nation
can build these structures. But the beauty lies with the fact that Inca
people made those structures at 14th or 15th century. I really can not
figure out how they lift those stones weighing more than 15 tons (yes,
some of them weigh more than 15 tons). Also think without the aid of
modern tools how they shaped those stone. They shaped them so precisely
that you can not slide a knife in between those stone.
When I wanted to travel Machu Picchu, I tried to get
as much information as I can get to plan my travel arrangement. Though
there were lots of site on
Machu Picchu or Inca, but all were with their own packages. Since I
did not know much about that place the whole thing was confusing for me.
I was looking for a site with comprehensive information, which I could
not find. Now I created this site for those whose may face the same
difficulties when planning to tour this beautiful place.
Guided Tour to Machu
Picchu -Do we need it ?
Hey, it is not 15th century. You can get all the
information from website. You do not need any guide or tour operator to
reach Machu Picchu. You can do it yourself. The
path to
Machu Picchu is a easy one. Be confident, you don't need any guide
or agent to tour Machu Picchu. Just roam around this site for a while; I
have tried to provide all the information you need, still if you feel
that you need to know more, there are hundreds of quality websites.
Gather
all the information and then plan your vacation and start. Unless
you have kids with you or other difficulties I suggest you to travel
independently. It would be more fun than you imagine.
Hiking Inca Trail
Inca trail is the most popular and famous trail in
South America. You may start from Cusco and reach Machu Picchu through
Inca trail. You have to walk 46 Kilometer and it is a four days hiking.
But there are other trails also, offered by different touring operators,
like Inca short trail, Salkantay trail and many more. If you are going
to hike Inca
trail, then you have to choose some Peruvian government licensed
tour operator. If the operator is without license, it can not run the
tour in Inca trail. So I hope you will carefully select your tour
operator. But before you choose, must visit my page on Inca trail, where
I have given a
breakup of cost for Inca trail. Then check whether all the items are
provided in the packages. If you read the page, you know what to look
for. So read my Inca trail page carefully. One more thing.. You have to
book earlier with Inca Trail. Now only 500 people can visit a day in
Inca trail. Yes, this is the new rule here. These spaces are filled up
sometime 2 months in advance. So visit my page on
availability of Inca trail, where you can check availability online,
and do your planning and registration as early as possible.
Discovery of Machu
Picchu
Know how Machu Picchu was brought into attention of
world in 1911 by a Yale historian,
Hiram
Bingham. Since the invasion of Spaniard, this place remained hidden
for centuries. Nobody knew about it. It is still a mystery why it was
abandoned. I wrote some good information on this subject on my
Machu Picchu history page. I hope you read it before you go to visit
Machu Picchu.
Inca History
Before you start get some idea on Inca.
History of Inca
people is really fabulous. They lasted not long, but developed to a
great monarchy within a short period of time. Once you reach Cusco or
Aguas Calientes, you would see the statue of Spanish conquistador
Francisco Pizarro and great Inca
emperor Pachacuti.
Inca Civilization
While our known world was prospering in its own way in
Europe and Asia in 13th or 14th century, a parallel world was gaining
momentum in South America. They did not have any Newton, Pascal or
Shakespeare; they did not have even any written languages. Still there
grew a
great civilization. They built houses and palaces with enormous
stones; they built roads with highest quality without having the
knowledge of all those great scientists of the other part of the world.
How they achieved those is still a mystery. Know about Inca to feel them
while roaming in Peru.
Hotels and lodges
Hotels are not
very expensive in Peru. With 20.00 $ you can spend a night at a standard
hotel in Lima
or Cusco.
Also there are plenty of
hotels at Machu Picchu. They are cheap too. If you are interested to
stay in deluxe type of hotels, they are available even in Machu Picchu.
So as you see all varieties of hotels are available. Important thing is
that you have to find the right hotel for you. It is not difficult
though. You may check my pages on hotels.
Machu Picchu by Helicopter
A helicopter service from Cusco to Aguas Calientes is now
available for those who like to pay extra money to get maximum comfort.
This service was provided by a 12 passenger helicopter by Heli- Cusco.
Air Flights to Peru Air Flights to Peru : Here I discussed flights to Peru, direct flights from USA and Europe and Latin America ..
Peru places of interest Peru places of interest : Here I discussed interesting places you can visit in Peru, like, Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, Puno, Lake Titicaca...
Machu Picchu City Machu Picchu City : Here I discuss is there any Machu Picchu City, or it is actully a ruin only.
Getting To Machu Picchu Getting to Machu Picchu : Here I described how to reach Machu Picchu by train, also the alternatives like bus or taxi are discussed here...
Machu Picchu Tours and packages Machu Picchu tour and Inca trail operators : Here I discussed about the tour operators on Machu Picchu and Inca trail, their price and standards
Peru Buses Peru Buses : Here I discussed Peru Bus service, main bus operators, bus routes, bus fares ..
Peruvian Food Peruvian food : Here I discussed Peruvian traditional foods, chifas, I also provide here lots of picture of the different type of Peruvian dishes like Ceviche, Lomo Saltado ...
Lima to Cusco : travel by bus or plane Lima to Cusco : Here I discussed the options for travelling from Lima to Cusco, discussed in detail plane and bus travel between these two cities, also mention which buses and airlines are available.
Lima Hotels : Cheap hotels at Lima Lima hotels : Here I discussed some very cheap hotels in Lima, Peru, I also talked about some very expensive hotels at Lima .......
Lima Restaurants Lima restaurants : Here I discussed the restaurants at Lima, Peruvian and Chifa both..
Short Inca Trail - It is a two days Inca Trail Short Inca Trail - Here I discussed short Inca trail. You have to start at km 104 and reach Winay wayna. At night you will sleep at Aguas Calientes..
Machu Picchu Trail Machu Picchu trail : Here I discussed how to reach Machu Picchu through the trail made by Inca.
Inca trail expenses, Check whether you choose the right guide Inca trail expenses - here I discussed actual expenses of Inca trail . I am giving you actual cost of trail and offers made by different trail agents. Check actual price before you choose agents
Inca Trail map, A Sketch map to give brief idea on Inca trail Sketch Map of Inca trail - Here I draw a sketch map of Inca trail and machu Picchu. Looking at it you may get a quick idea on 2 days or 4 days trail and location of Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes ..
Salkantay Trail - An alternative Inca trail Salkantay trail - Here I discussed on this alternative Inca trail, This one is getting popular day by day , because it is getting hard to get a space in original Inca trail
Inca Empire : One of the best government in ancient days Inca Empire : here I discussed how Inca Empire was originated,their emperorship, thier government and military organization, Inca civilization, Inca society and all realated to Inca Empire ..
Inca Emperors Inca Emperors : Here I discussed the history of Inca emperors, how they started and how they diminished. I discussed from Manco Capac to Tupac Amaru ..
Inca Civilization, Inca clothing, Inca pottery Inca Civilization : Here I discussed how Incas built their civilization, their architecture, I also talked about Inca clothing, Inca Pottery...
Inca Religion Inca Religion : Here I described Incas religion, their god and goddess, their festivals..
Inti Raymi : The biggest fetival in Peru Inti Raymi : Here I discussed Inti raymi festival , second biggest festival of S America- how they celebrated this festival, and also I discussed how it is celebrated in current Peru ..
Inca Food Inca food : Here I discussed how food of Inca period, their food habit, how they stored food...
Chifa : Peruvian Chinese Cuisine Chifa : Here I discussed Peruvina Chinese foods, It is same as what you see in other parts of the worlds. Kam Lu Wonton, Chaufa, Wonton soup - I discussed the popular menus here ...
Sacsayhuaman : Stone fortress at Cusco Sacsayhuaman : Here I discussed sacsayhuaman or Sacsayhuman, or sexy woman, the stone fortress of Inca Empire, how to reach there, what to do here..
Chicha : Inca drink Chicha : Here I discussed Chicha, the drink of Inca period, also discuss what is chicha morada and Chicha de Jora.
Pisco Drink : National Drink of Peru Pisco : Most popular drink in Peru, Here I discussed pisco drink, pisco sour where to get it, and history of pisco drink.
Pisco sour : Best cocktail of Peru Pisco Sour : Here I discuss the most popular drink of Peru, where to get it, and also recipe of Pisco Sour