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Machu Picchu Peru - "The Lost City of the Incas"




  Peru Machu Picchu  LandscapeMacchu Picchu Inca civilization

Fascinating!

Our pages on Machu Picchu Peru will be including the following areas of interest:

1. Trips to Machu Picchu

2. Machu Picchu Tours

3. Hotels in Machu Picchu Peru

4. Maps of Machu Picchu

5. Machu Picchu Architecture 

6. History of Ancient Machu Picchu

7. Machu Picchu Peru Photos

8. Machu Picchu Weather


"Trips to Peru Machu Picchu mean ... fascination," not only for the incredible and extensive sites of the ancient Inca Civilization but also for its setting in the mountain mists and cloud forest of tropical Southern Peru.


Lesser-known but remarkable even on its on merits, the animal and plant life, some of it unique to the Machu Picchu Historical Reserve, adds flavor to the entrancing atmosphere.

What is Machu Picchu?

Machu Picchu Peru (in Quechua, "old mountain") is an Inca stronghold or fortress built by the Incas.

Buried in the mountain jungle of Southeastern Peru, these incredible archaeological remains were unknown to the outside world until an explorer by the name of Hiram Bingham stumbled upon them in 1911. Since then, it has been visited by millions of visitors. The train into Aquas Calientes (village at the bottom of the mountain) was closed for several months due to landslides in March 2010.

Machu Picchu, Peru is a pre-Columbian Inca site, which means that it existed before any European influences in the Americas. It was a center of worship and astronomical observation and was probably a private family estate of Inca Pachacutec.

To supply the food for the residents, the site included an agriculture area with terraces and food storage. Considered sacred by the locals, Machu Picchu, Peru is especially important as a cultural heritage site.

The archeticture and setting combined make this one of the most impressive locations in the world.


Peru's Machu Picchu and surrounding areas now form the Machu Picchu Historic Reserve, covering an area of 80,535 acres (32,592 hectares)

Where is Machu Picchu Peru?

Machu Picchu is located high atop a steep mountain ridge about 3000 feet above the Urubamba Valley in Southern Peru. Although it is 7,970 feet (2,439 meters) above sea level, the area is in the midst of the extensive tropical forest on the eastern slope of Peru's southern mountains

The Landscape and Natural Attractions

Salcantay mountain near machu picchu cusco andesMuch of the beauty and charm that surrounds Machu Picchu, Peru's biggest tourist attraction, is its unusual setting: a spectacular natural environment of verdant ridges and valleys covered with mountain forests.

Surrounded by the Andes Mountains of Peru, Machu Picchu is dominated by majestic Salkantay (6,271 m), the highest snowcovered mountain in the Cordillera de Vilcanota (Vilconata range). This mountain had a religious significance for the local population as being the god Apu.

Huayna Picchu (in Quechua, 'Young Mountain') is the mountain right next to Machu Picchu, a hallmark feature of photos of the area. There are interesting Inca ruins in different parts accessible by steep trails. For the more athletic and adventurous, a hike to the breathtaking peak of Huayna Picchu is not to be missed.

Flora and Fauna

cock of the rock national bird peru andesOver 350 species of birds can be found in the Reserve, many of which can be seen during a hike.

For example, the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock (national bird of Peru) can be identified by the males brilliant red color.

Ground animals also abound in the area ofperu machu picchu peru orchids Machu Picchu, Peru. The Andean Bear, or Spectacled Bear, for one, inhabits the Reserve, although seldom seen due to its reclusive habits.

The flora is particularly diverse and interesting: nearly 200 species of orchids have been recorded in the sanctuary.

Machu Picchu Orchids Photo by Matito



*(Common mispellings are Macchu Pichu and Macchu Picchu)



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