Cusco, Peru - part 2
Airing Date: Jul 5th, 2008
Embark on an adventure to discover the lost city of Machu Picchu!Peru's most popular tourist attraction is Machu Picchu. Many people visit the ancient citadel via train from Cusco, but there are a large number of tourists who walk there along the famous Inca Trail. The famous trek is done over four days, covering 44 kilometres. Along the way you encounter locals living in this legendary part of South America and learn about the ancient civilisation that once ruled the lands.
The Inca Empire was the largest empire in pre-Columbian America. The Inca's conquered most of the cultures in the area stretching from southern Columbia to central Chile, as well as the Andean regions of Bolivia and northern Argentina. There are thousands of kilometres of trails connecting all of these regions of South America, but one of the most famous roads is the one dubbed "The Inca Trail" that leads to Machu Picchu.
Cusco "the navel of the world", was once the capital of the ancient Incan Empire and today is still a significant and popular city as it is where travellers gather before embarking on their Inca Trail expeditions (both by train and on foot). The city also provides a chance to acclimatise to the high altitudes of the Andes as the city itself is actually situated higher than Machu Picchu. It sits at 3,326m above sea level. Cusco is a gorgeous little city with its main plaza resembling the architecture found in cities across Europe. Most of the buildings you see there today actually sit on top of ancient Incan sites of importance, such as the Cathedral and the Iglesia de Santo Domingo (Qorikancha) where you can still see foundations of Inca stones.
Nearby there are a number of significant ancient archaeological sites, including Sacsayhuaman, which was once a fort and overlooks the city of Cusco.
Further into the Sacred Valley the Andean village of Pisac is known for its large hilltop Inca site as well as their famous weekly markets, held every Sunday. On the way, the Awana Kancha Llama farm is well worth a visit as they have Llamas, Alpacas, Vicunas and Guanacos there as well as weavers from across Peru spinning, dyeing, and weaving traditional textiles that are for sale, with money going back into the local communities.
The Inca Trail itself starts at kilometre 82, a checkpoint where all trekkers must present their permits and can even have passports stamped! Only 500 hikers are permitted to start on the Inca Trail each day and this includes all guides and porters. You can only walk the Inca Trail on a guided tour with an accredited company, this is strictly monitored by the governing bodies to ensure that the trail is well looked after.
We chose to go with Tucan Travel and they allocated Julio Cesar Chapparo as our guide. He is regarded one of the most knowledgeable Inca Trail guides and has completed the walk 475 times at last count!
Built in the 15th century, the Inca trail was actually one of eight paths the Incas used to access Machu Picchu. It crosses three stunning high passes and encounters many archaeological sites along the way. The first day is considered the easiest, passing through fields and small villages.
The second day of the walk is the hardest. It's all up-hill as you climb to "Dead Woman's Pass" one of the highest points on the trail.
What goes up, must come down, and the third day sees you descend more than 2000 steps visiting a number of Inca ruins along the way.
On the fourth day of the Inca Trail journey, walkers rise before dawn to walk the last 3 hours up to the Sun Gate that boasts the famous postcard-perfect and awe-inspiring view over Machu Picchu. This ruined Incan city was once home to about 1,000 residents and only rediscovered in 1911 by Yale archaeologist Hiram Bingham.
Although the citadel is located only about 70 kilometres from Cusco, it was never found and destroyed by the Spanish, as were many other Inca sites. This is what makes it such an interesting site and gives it the name of the "Lost City of the Incas".
Machu Picchu was constructed around 1450, at the height of the Incan Empire, and was abandoned less than 100 years later, as the empire collapsed under Spanish conquest.
The site is perfectly preserved because it was probably the only Incan settlement that wasn't found and pillaged by the conquistadors.
The site was designated 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 one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Further Information:Cusco, PERU
Tucan Travel
20% discount off all Peru tours, including those travelling to or from La Paz.
Book and deposit by 31st July 2008.
Book through your travel agent or call Tucan Travel on 1300 769 249
See www.tucantravel.com for full conditions.
Aerolineas Argentinas fly return to Buenos Aires
From $1799 east coast
$2599 west coast
Valid for departure 1/6/08 - 30/11/08
9234-9000
www.aerolineasargentinas.com.au
Prices correct at 16/5/08. Prices include surcharges, fees & taxes. Conditions apply.
Awana Kancha Llama Farmwww.awanakancha.com
