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Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu Peru - "The Lost City of the Incas"
- TripAdvisor
travelers voted Machu
Picchu Peru a top World destination
- Machu Picchu
is considered one of the 7 wonders of the world
Peru Machu Picchu
Landscape
Fascinating!
Our pages on Machu Picchu Peru will be including the following areas of
interest:
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
"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
 Much 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
 Over 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 of  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)
Go to Inside-Peru Home Page from Machu Picchu Peru
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Inca Civilization
Nazca Culture
Francisco
Pizarro Biography
Moche Civiilization
Chavin Culture
Paracas
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