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ARCHAEOLOGY
Three thousand feet above Urubamba Valley, Peru, stretch two
mountains, Machu Picchu (Old Mountain) and Huayna Picchu (Young
Mountain). On a cloud-draped ridge between the two peaks lies the
site of Machu Picchu, part of the estate of the Inca king Pachacuti
[AD 1438-1471]. The site is made up of single buildings arranged in
groups, along streets, adjacent to plazas and terraces. Most of the
buildings are residences, some of white granite masonry such as that
seen in the city of Cuzco. Some of the buildings, which must have
been for special purposes, are partly carved into the bedrock and
partly built from finely cut white granite.
Due to its impressive buildings and gorgeous natural surroundings,
Machu Picchu is among the seven "wonders of the world".
HISTORICAL SANCTUARY
The sanctuary, surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains, it is
easy to appreciate the diversity of flora and fauna, it is an
attraction for local people and for tourists.
The Inca architecture was among the finest prehistoric architecture
in the world. Examples can be seen in Cuzco and Ollantaytambo, and
of course here at Machu Picchu. The building style is characterized
by exquisitely cut masonry, placed together completely without
mortar. The raw material was granite, worked by stone and sand into
irregular shapes that fit together like a gigantic puzzle. Some
stones have as many as thirty facets worked into the surface, and as
a result, the faces of the stone fit together so tightly that a
needle won't fit between them. Those are only few reasons for
visiting Machu Picchu in a unique experience:
A wonderful combination of creativity art and the wildness of nature.
HUAYNAPICCHU
The "Young mountain" in the Quechua language.
Machu Picchu represents the face of the Inca looking upward towards
the sky, with the largest peak, Huayna Picchu (meaning Young Peak),
representing his pierced nose and also the duality templance and
balance withing Machupicchu (Machupicchu = Old Mountain and
Huaynapicchu =Joung mountain)
THE INCA TRAIL
Following Bingham's footsteps, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is
rated among the ten best trekking trails in the world because of its
striking beauty, ancient Inca ruins and diverse ecological zones.
This route traverses very diverse terrains, from high desert plateau
to tropical Andean rainforest.
Following an ancient Inca trail, we will be walking past mysterious
archaeological sites half-cloaked in jungle overgrowth that makes it
look like you are discovering them for the first time.
THE MOON TEMPLE
The Temple covers the entire landscape of the slopes of Huayna
Picchu and consists of a set of architecturally enhanced caves, most
likely used to hold mummies of important Inca ancestors and provide
places for their worship. More fine stonework embellishes the walls
of these caves, some of which are decorated with niches and altars
carved into the native rock. |
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