My Ancestors Are Calling: MACHU PICCHU!
Today, I travel to Perú, located in the western and central part of South America, as my home country opens its doors to the most famous Incan ruins awaiting us!
Also known as the Imperial City of the Incas, Machu Picchu is synonymous with greatness and perfection. The Incans called this region Cusco, which comes from the Quechuan word ‘Qosqo’, meaning the belly-button of the world. For them, their land was the junction between the underworld, the physical world and the spiritual world.
I love so much the energy of Machu Picchu!
The most impressive part is that the Incans built their stone city in an area that had no stones, which means they had to carry these gigantic boulders for several miles up. Some of these pieces were as heavy as 150 tons. We are talking about a culture that was familiar with circular shapes and its applications but had not invented the wheel. Besides carrying the boulders, they shaped them with elegance and fit them like Lego pieces, with nothing in between them but the strength of gravity.
Machu Picchu is made from stones in an area where there were no stones.
In my previous article about Petra, I mentioned that the water engineering system allowed its people to become prosperous. The same goes for the Incans: Machu Picchu uses an impressive system of canals.
Machu Picchu is a group of different constructions like storage units, resting areas, terraces, ceremonial platforms and a town clock (Intihuatana). They connect to each other by narrow paths and passages, enough to fit two people at a time or a big alpaca.
This is one of the beautiful alpacas, protected at Machu Picchu.
Although already known by locals, it was introduced to the world by archaeologist Hiram Bingham in 1911. It was a local kid who led the trip for Hiram Bingham to Machu Picchu and yet this gem of the Incan Empire was never found by the Spanish conquerors in the sixteenth century.
The most iconic structure is the Intihuatana stone, a monolith carved out of granite. It is also called the “Hitching Post of the Sun”, if translated from Quechua to English and is perfectly aligned with the four cardinal points. It worked perfectly as a clock and calendar, most likely associated with religious Incan rituals.
The Intihuatana stone: A calendar for the Incans.
It is believed that Machu Picchu was built by Pachacuti in the mid-1400s. There is no known answer to the million-dollar-question: ‘Why was it built?’ Therefore, the construction of Machu Picchu remains an enigma to archaeologists. Some believe it was a private club for the Incan emperor and his family and yet others believe it was either a religious or military center or a combination of both.
What we know today is that Machu Picchu is one of the seven wonders of the world and typically hosts an average of half a million visitors a year.
The enigma: Why was it exactly built for?
When walking around Machu Picchu, you feel an intense energy connecting you to the Universe. I put my hands on top of a big rock and feel a white, light energy going through me.
There are two popular ways to reach Machu Picchu: One is through the Inca Trail, which is 26 miles long and takes an average of 4 days of hiking and 3 nights of camping. The easy way is by the tourist train with enjoyable views, warm coffee and a show with an all-inclusive ticket. This train departs from Ollantaytambo (you can sleep here the night before taking the train), takes you to Aguas Calientes and then a local bus up to Machu Picchu.
As I always recommend, go with a local tour guide. They know the tricks and tips to make the most of your precious time and find affordable places to eat delicious meals and buy souvenirs.
May to October is the best season to visit as it is dry and the temperature is warmer. My recommendation, though, would be avoiding the weeks from mid-June to mid-August as it is the high season and will be very crowded.
The local currency is the Peruvian Sol but American Dollars are also accepted. Most locals speak English and are excited to welcome tourists.
Carry sunblock, water, a snack and your camera to take photos.
With GEO360™: Pack less, travel more!®
Written by Joy Kelly-
August 15th, 2019
Special thanks to Dirección Regional de Comercio Exterior y Turismo Cusco.
Please find below my favorite links for more information prior your trip:
Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu by UNESCO
Discover 10 secrets of Machu Picchu by National Geographic
Machu Picchu: A Citadel of the Incas. By Hiram Bingham. Published by Cambridge University