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Machu Picchu: The Lost Inca City

Probably the most impressive archaeological site found in South America is Machu Picchu. The spectacular location is a reminder of the great accomplishments made by the Inca Empire. The location of Machu Picchu is impressive. What makes the place even more interesting relates to the fact that site remained lost for hundreds of years, only to be rediscovered in the early 1900's. The Spanish never discovered this beautiful site, and no records mention it. As such, Machu Picchu is both the most well known Inca Site while at the same time the least understood.

Seeing Machu Picchu for the first time is an amazing experience. Looking up one can see beautiful terraces, magnificent ruins, temples and terraces situated on the crest of a mountain. Getting to the ruins requires taking a winding road to the top. The views from the top of the surrounding mountains and river valley is stunning. To this day people wonder how the Inca could have built such a site so high up in the mountains.

The site is full of well preserved homes, temples, storerooms and open areas. The stonework done by the Inca is absolutely amazing. The best view of the entire site is from the House of the Caretakers. From there one has a view of Machu Picchu in its entirety, plus spectacular views of the surrounding areas.

Within Machu Picchu one of the more interesting areas is the Temple of the Sun.

Most visitors come for the day on a guided tour. They arrive by train, get a 2-3 hour tour, and then have another hour or so to explore the site on their own. They then head back. Peru-Spanish.com and Spanish Abroad, Inc. recommends that you consider spending the night. If you do this, you will have Machu Picchu virtually to yourself in the afternoon when all the rest of the visitors head back to Cusco. You will spend the night in Aguas Calientes, and then bright and early the next morning you can re-enter the site. Once again you get a couple of hours to yourself to enjoy Machu Picchu before the trains arrive with the visitors for the day.

Under any circumstance, Machu Picchu is a must see stop if you are studying Spanish in either Lima or Cusco, Peru.

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