Machu Picchu in Peru remains popular amongst adventurous travelers
2011-04-21
Not only is it the 100th anniversary of the discovery of Machu Picchu in Peru, but this site of ancient ruins is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its invaluable history. Travelers hoping to witness a tangible walk back in time may consider a South America vacation in the Andes Mountains.
Machu Picchu's secluded location laid undiscovered until 1911, when Hiram Bingham arrived by donkey, according to The Los Angeles Times. Today, thousands of visitors come to see the structures built more than 500 years ago.
The indigenous group who constructed Machu Picchu was the Incas. Due to the lack of a written language, some facts about these natives of Peru remain mysterious. Historians do believe that printed communication could have been accomplished though a knot system called khipu.
Details about the Incas and their customs can be explained on site by several available tour guides and groups. There are various ways to approach the journey to Machu Picchu, according to The Telegraph. Some chose to take the longer Inca Trail, which can last for four days and can end with a gorgeous sunrise over the mountains. Others opt for a shorter route only a couple hours from the closest city of Cuzco.
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