Machu Picchu Tourism - The Mysterious "Old Mountain"

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Machu Picchu Tourism - The Mysterious "Old Mountain"

Machu Picchu is considered to be one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. It is worthy of the title because it is ancient and mysterious, yet incredibly well preserved. It contains much history that to this day is the subject of debate among archaeologists.

An estimated 1000 people lived in Machu Picchu for about a hundred years, before abruptly abandoning the site around 1572. Why they left remains unclear even now, although it appears to have been somehow related to the Spanish conquest of the region. We do know, however, that after the original Inca inhabitants left Machu Picchu, the site remained unseen and untouched by non-natives for over three hundred years.

Machu Picchu was rediscovered by an archaeologist, Hiram Bingham III of Yale University, while he was looking for a unique city in Cuzco. A farmer's son lead Bingham on the Inca trail until they reached the peak of the mysterious Machu Picchu. The archaeologist was then sponsored by National Geographic and Yale University in his endeavor to find explore the site.

The "old mountain" is a popular tourism destination precisely because the site remained untouched for so long. Tourists now flock there at a rate of over one thousand visitors per day.

The vast majority of Machu Picchu tourism originates from the nearby city of Cusco. From there, you can catch a train up the mountain. Another method of reaching the sacred site is by hiking one of the famed Inca Trails, a wondrous network of footpaths that wind among the snow covered mountains, twisting rivers, and spectacular countryside. This is widely regarded as being among the best trekking routes on Earth, because of the remarkable archeological sites and diverse plant and animal species you'll find along the way.

The perplexing structure of Machu Picchu, the most important and exquisite legacy of the Inca people, is a part of the Historic Sanctuary with which it shares its name. It is also among just a few sites in all of the Americas that rank on the World Cultural AND Natural Heritage Lists put forth by UNESCO. Located atop a mountain almost 8000 feet above sea level, this sacred site celebrates and enhances the breathtaking natural beauty that surrounds it. It is truly a unique location, making it easy to see why Machu Picchu tourism continues to expand.

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