Who hasn’t heard of Machu Picchu? Well, it gained spotlight when in 2007, it was voted as of the new Seven Wonders of World.
For many travelers it’s about ticking off that ‘Wonder of the World’ from the list or getting that insta worthy picture, Well for me it definitely was all of the above plus trying to relive the the amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire.
Here are my top five reasons that will inspire you to visit this Incredible Wonder right now!
The city of Machu Picchu sits in a middle of a tropical mountain forest, between two mountains Maccu Picchu and Huayna Picchu in an extraordinarily beautiful setting.
Peru for me embodies the best of South American traditions in building, art and weaving.
1-Cuisine- Due to the extreme variety of landscapes in Peru, local cuisine differs significantly from region to region with Latin, Japenese, Korean, Chinese and Spanish influences. The ingredients used by the locals varies from the ones in the rainforest to the ones in the Andes mountains or down to the coast. A warm flavored, varied palate dominates with Chili taking the centre stage in many dishes.
Peru is not known for being a vegetarian friendly country, but now most touristy cities cater to vegetarian visitors with Potatoes, Corn, Quinoa or Beans being one of the main ingredients.
2-Engineering Marvel- The Inca Empire was belive to stretch around 4000 Km along South America (from modern day Ecuador down to Chile). Machu Pichu, built around the 15th Century is said to be a stunning example of Inca’s Engineering effort. Machu Picchu is formed of buildings, plazas, and platforms connected by narrow lanes or paths.The stones of Machu Picchu were cut so precisely that they snugly fit together and have been able to withstand the tremors of any Earthquake for more than 500 years now.
3-History- Machu Picchu is a testament to the power and antiquity of the Inca people. Machu Picchu’s purpose is still a history to many archeologists, capturing the imagination of scientists and tourist alike. Some think it might have served as a Ceremonial Site or a Military Stronghold, since Inca’s had no written language, no records can explain the purpose of this sight. Visiting the place for its enigmatic nature and developing stories around it, was one of my strongest calling for the place.
4- The Culture- Machu Picchu and its surrounding areas are rich in culture interest. Peru Culture was formed by the kinship between the Amerindian and Hispanic cultures. From traditional clothing to popular folk art expressions, and belief systems to ways of working and even cooking, Peru is full of customs that maintain the legacy of its ancient cultures.
Did you know:- It is a tradition in Peru to give friends and family yellow underpants on New Year’s Eve.
5- Adventure and the Sight: - While rush hour Machu Picchu is said to be an adventure in itself, outside this Inca Capital, one can find other marvels like the Amazon Forest and the High peaks where biking, hikes and the treks will make one feel like an out-of-body experience.
All the roads lead to this awe-invoking view of Machu Picchu, where the backdrop is this mountain overhanging the ruins is the best vantage point you can find. It’s called Huayna Picchu and it reaches 2,667 meters high. Upon arrival, the clouds and fog begin to dissipate to uncover the citadel; this experience, and all of majestic Machu Picchu, is a priceless encounter.
