Machu Picchu History

Machu Picchu History::-

Hiram Bingham, the credited discoverer of this historical site, along with several others, originally thought that the citadel was the traditional birthplace of the Inca of the “Virgins of the Suns”. Machu Picchu was built around 1460 at the height of the Inca Empire but abandoned less

than 100 years later. It is likely that most of its inhabitants were wiped out by smallpox before the Spanish conquistadors arrived in the area, and there is no record of their having known of the remote city.

Another theories suggest that Machu Picchu was an Inca “llacta”, a settlement built to control the economy of these conquered regions. Yet others think that it may have been built as a prison for a select few who had committed heinous crimes against Inca society. Research conducted by scholars has convinced most archaeologists that rather than a defensive retreat, Machu Picchu was an estate of the Inca emperor, Pachacuti.

Although Machu Picchu is located only about 80 kilometers (50 miles) from the Inca capital, Cusco, it was never discovered by the Spanish and consequently not envaded and destroyed. Over the centuries, the surrounding jungle grew over much of the site, and few knew of its existence. The site was found on July 24, 1911, by Hiram Bingham.

Machu Picchu was established as a World Heritage Site in 1983 when it was described as “an absolute masterpiece of architecture and a unique testimony to the Inca civilization”. On July 7, 2007, Machu Picchu was voted as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Machu Picchu Visitor Information
There are several different ways to visit Machu Picchu: on foot, along the Inca Trail, by train from the city of Cuzco to Aguas Calientes, or by helicopter from the Cuzco airport to Aguas Calientes. Tours cost a few hundred dollars, while helicopter excursions cost more. There is a park fee of US$40 dollars to help maintain conservation of the park area.

Most people get to Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail. This is a four day hike through the mountains. It’s not long but it is very hard and the ascent is very steep. Tours book out months in advance and cost hundreds of dollars. The majority of hotels in Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley can be found in the nearby town of Aguas Calientes. A little closer to the site itself, however, the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge occupies an amazingly privileged spot, while back down in Cuzco, the Hotel Monasterio is an equally attractive (if not quite so perfectly located) choice of hotel in Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley.

Highlights to see and do while visiting Machu Picchu include:

• Aguas Caliantes – Before your journey to Machu Picchu begins, Aguas Caliantes is a small village that sits at the bottom of Machu Pichu. The entire village is built around a river that is known for its hot springs. A small village where hikers and travelers alike are able to soak in the fresh air of the mountains, relax in natural hot springs, and fall asleep to the sound of the steadily flowing river.


• Temple of the Sun – The Temple of the Sun was used to honor and celebrate Inti, the Sun, an important Incan deity. When the sun of the winter solstice enters through the central window, it falls directly on the large ceremonial stone. The round building protects the stone.


• Temple of the Three Windows- located west of the main square and has a large rectangular floor. Its name comes from the fact that it has three main windows and two blind bays. With the main temple it is one of the most impressive architecture structures in Machu Pichu.


• Huayna Picchu – In Quechua this means “young peak”. The peak of Huayna Picchu is about 2,720 metres (8,900 ft) above sea level, or about 360 metres (1,200 ft) higher than Machu Picchu. You can hike to the top of Huayna Picchu in about 1-2 hours, and once atop you can look down over all of Machu Picchu. Truly a site not to be missed and well worth the extra hike. However, you may want to do this first as they only allow the first 400 people to make the hike.

Machu Picchu Conservation Efforts


UNESCO continually threatens to put Machu Picchu on its list of World Heritage in Danger sites, a designation meant to encourage swift corrective action.

In January 2001 the government began to regulate the trail and to require permits. Of the 93 tour operators that had sold Inca Trail packages at the time, half were denied permission to continue operating. To meet the new requirements tour operators must use only assigned camp sites with proper toilet facilities; carry all garbage with them; use only propane for fuel (no open fires); provide two guides for groups of more than seven tourists; and limit the amount porters carry to 25 kilos.

The World Monuments Fund placed Machu Picchu on its 2008 Watch List of the 100 Most Endangered Sites in the world because of environmental degradation resulting from the impact of tourism, uncontrolled development in the nearby town of Aguas Calientes that included a poorly sited tram to ease visitor access, and the construction of a bridge across the Vilcanota River that is likely to bring even more tourists to the site in defiance of a court order and government protests against it.