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The
ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is the star attraction
of Cusco. Discovered in 1911 by US explorer Hiram Bingham,
the citadel is deemed one of the world's finest examples of
landscape architecture.
Machu Picchu ("old mountain" in Quechua, the ancient
language of the Incas) nestles on top of a mountain saddle
high above the Urubamba River in the middle of the cloud forest.
It was both a center of worship and astronomic observatory
as well as the private retreat of the family of Inca ruler
Pachacútec. Machu Picchu is split into two major areas:
the agricultural zone, made up of terracing and food storehouses;
and the urban zone, featuring the sacred sector, with temples,
squares and royal tombs which have been carved to an extraordinary
degree of perfection.
The stone staircases and canals are found throughout this
unique archaeological site called Machu Picchu. Over the citadel
looms Huayna Picchu ("young mountain" in Quechua),
which can be climbed up a steep stone-paved trail.
Climate in Machu Picchu: Rainy
during the summer (December to March). Sunny from May to September,
although sudden showers are not uncommon. Maximum temperatures
reach 27° C, while the minimum rarely dips below 11°
C.
Access to Machu Picchu: The Citadel
of Machu Picchu is a three-hour train journey away from the
city of Cusco, although it can also be reached by helicopter
(30 minutes) or on foot (4 days down the Inca Trail). |
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