Machu Picchu, at an elevation of 8,000 ft/2,450 m (much lower than nearby Cuzco), has the most spectacular setting of any ruin in the world -- even those who aren't normally excited by archaeology will be impressed. This "Lost City of the Incas" is a place everyone must see at least once. Unknown to the outside world until Yale's Hiram Bingham discovered it in 1911, Machu Picchu sits on the spine of a ridge 2,000 ft/610 m above the rushing Urubamba River. Capping the end of the ridge is Huaynu Picchu, a soaring peak that offers a challenging climb -- and a bird's-eye view of the complex as a reward. Once atop Huaynu Picchu, linger for a view of the surrounding misty green-clad mountains and you'll understand why the last Incas chose to hide there.
Machu Picchu's grassy central court is surrounded by almost 200 houses, palaces and temples built from perfectly fitted stone blocks. Especially notable are the Temple of the Sun (the only round building), the Temple of the Three Windows (trapezoidal openings), the Sacristy (full of mysterious niches) and the Intihuatana (Hitching Post of the Sun). Stone and earth terraces (designed for farming and defense) descend the mountain around three sides of the city -- the fourth side is a sheer cliff. Hotels in Machu Picchu |
ROOMS Peru
