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ARCHAEOLOGY
Three thousand feet above Urubamba Valley, Peru, stretch
two mountains, Machu Picchu (Old Mountain) and Huayna
Picchu (Young Mountain). On a cloud-draped ridge between
the two peaks lies the site of Machu Picchu, part of the
estate of the Inca king Pachacuti [AD 1438-1471]. The
site is made up of single buildings arranged in groups,
along streets, adjacent to plazas and terraces. Most of
the buildings are residences, some of white granite
masonry such as that seen in the city of Cuzco. Some of
the buildings, which must have been for special purposes,
are partly carved into the bedrock and partly built from
finely cut white granite.
Due to its impressive buildings and gorgeous natural
surroundings, Machu Picchu is among the seven "wonders
of the world".
HISTORICAL SANCTUARY
The sanctuary, surrounded by majestic snow-capped
mountains, it is easy to appreciate the diversity of
flora and fauna, it is an attraction for local people
and for tourists.
The Inca architecture was among the finest prehistoric
architecture in the world. Examples can be seen in Cuzco
and Ollantaytambo, and of course here at Machu Picchu.
The building style is characterized by exquisitely cut
masonry, placed together completely without mortar. The
raw material was granite, worked by stone and sand into
irregular shapes that fit together like a gigantic
puzzle. Some stones have as many as thirty facets worked
into the surface, and as a result, the faces of the
stone fit together so tightly that a needle won't fit
between them. Those are only few reasons for visiting
Machu Picchu in a unique experience:
A wonderful combination of creativity art and the
wildness of nature.
HUAYNAPICCHU
The "Young mountain" in the Quechua language.
Machu Picchu represents the face of the Inca looking
upward towards the sky, with the largest peak, Huayna
Picchu (meaning Young Peak), representing his pierced
nose and also the duality templance and balance withing
Machupicchu (Machupicchu = Old Mountain and Huaynapicchu
=Joung mountain)
THE INCA TRAIL
Following Bingham's footsteps, the Inca Trail to Machu
Picchu is rated among the ten best trekking trails in
the world because of its striking beauty, ancient Inca
ruins and diverse ecological zones. This route traverses
very diverse terrains, from high desert plateau to
tropical Andean rainforest.
Following an ancient Inca trail, we will be walking past
mysterious archaeological sites half-cloaked in jungle
overgrowth that makes it look like you are discovering
them for the first time.
THE MOON TEMPLE
The Temple covers the entire landscape of the slopes of
Huayna Picchu and consists of a set of architecturally
enhanced caves, most likely used to hold mummies of
important Inca ancestors and provide places for their
worship. More fine stonework embellishes the walls of
these caves, some of which are decorated with niches and
altars carved into the native rock. |