Machu Picchu is one of the world's most intriguing locales, offering visitors a glimpse into a fascinating past amidst a stunning backdrop in the Peruvian mountains. The "Lost City" is carved into the hillside looking over the Vilcanota River Valley. While Machu Picchu is no longer so hidden, it remains very much a destination shrouded in mystery and clouds. The Inca City is one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites and one of South America's favorite treasures. It is both very remote while becoming a very popular tourist attraction. Visiting requires early planning.
In The Heights of Machu Picchu, Pablo Neruda writes, "Machu Picchu is a trip to the serenity of the soul, to the eternal fusion with the cosmos." The serenity of the soul, however, can be challenged by the relatively inaccessible location and the crowds that are continuing to ascend up the mountains. The most popular route to Machu Picchu is via a train ride from Cusco. It takes four hours, and you will likely never spend a more beautiful four hours on a train in your life. Hillsides and villages straight from idyllic postcards line your route, making the journey just as pleasurable as the destination. Many people also opt to depart from Ollantaytambo, an ancient town that offers its own gorgeous ruins. The train ride is shorter and many enjoy seeing the sights that Ollantaytambo has to offer.
Hiking is another popular method, and if you are in the proper physical condition and have the time, it is perhaps the most rewarding. The Inca Trail is 28 miles of villages, forests, mountains, and valleys that gives visitors a tremendous insight into the local culture. Hiking the Inca Trail takes about four days, and it is important to book your passage very early because the number of people allowed on the trail is limited. You must also be with a tour group, so this cannot be a spontaneous destination.
Aguas Calientes is the nearest town before the ascent to Machu Picchu, and it is accessible by road and rail. Stopping here is a great way to begin your journey. The main attraction is certainly Machu Picchu, but Aguas Calientes features wonderful hot springs that is said to have curative powers. Whether it does or not, there is no doubt that a soak in the thermal pools is an excellent way to cap a day of hiking.
Traveling to Machu Picchu can be time-consuming and it can be pricy; but one look from the ruined city will erase any other thoughts
Widget by Bloggers University
0 comments:
Post a Comment