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The first time you turn the corner of the hill and take a look at the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu is breathtaking. They look like the pictures you have seen, but it is hard to believe that you are standing there, in person. We were so fortunate to be able to spend three days at the site. We stayed two nights in the hotel right up at the ruins. It was around the hill so that it could not be seen from the ruins to distract from their beauty. |
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During the 1400 and 1500s the Inca dominated much of the area of South America that is now Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, as well as parts of Argentina and Chile. They built roads, bridges, cities and temples. Their stone work was remarkable because they used huge stones, fitting them together precicely with no mortar. Machu Picchu was rediscovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham. |
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Today, much of the area has been excavated in this location. Many of the buildings have been reconstructed. The only thing missing from the houses here are the straw roofs that would have covered them.The terraces were used to hold the ground in place on the steep slopes, and also for growing crops. There was an elaborate water system that irrigated the terraces and provided water to the buildings or close by. |
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The Urubumba River flows through the valley north and eas of Cuzco. It flows into the Amazon River eventually. There is a train that runs along the river taking locals and tourists to Machu Picchu and on to the Amazon Rainforest. The Incas ruled this area until the Spanish explorer, Francisco Pizarro conquered them in 1532. |
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Travel arrangements were made by Lisa Hetzler, Focus On Travel, Beaverton, Oregon. |
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Updated May 16, 1998 E-mail us at gcpitzer@attbi.com |
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