Machu Picchu, Peru by Nilson Agudelo

Built in the mid-15th century by the Incas.

The Incan settlement nestled 2,430 meters above sea level in the eastern Andes
mountains.
OVER ONE MILLION VISITORS IN 2016

Machu Picchu is a pre-Columbian Incan settlement, one of the few that remain
intact. Situated on the eastern slope of the Andes Mountains, it was probably built
as a royal retreat for the Incan emperor Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui, not intended to
be visited by the masses. In use from the mid-15th century to the mid-16th century,
it was eventually abandoned, although the reason is not clear.

Though the Incan empire was conquered by the Spanish in 1532, the conquistadors
did not find the site; it was eventually “discovered” in 1911. The architecture was
integrated into the natural terrain, its walls and terraces cut into the rock. Today, it
is reached either by hiking up the Incan trail through the Andes or by train.

In order to better preserve the structures, the Peruvian government has started to
limit the amount of time tourists may spend at the site.

It is known that the site was never explored by the Spanish upon their arrival in the
empire, so it is a spectacular example of the great Inca organization, architecture
and engineering. It is admirable to discover how the Incas built cities and complex
roads in the middle of the mountains, adapted and created an Andean world that
was part of their strategy as an empire; and Machu Picchu is the best example of a
citadel built on top of a mountain. Today the world continues to admire and reward
the creativity and innovation of the Inca culture, as when Unesco declared Machu
Picchu Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 1983; highlighting its importance for
being part of a cultural and ecological complex, being known as the Historic
Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. From the first moment everyone is amazed by the
beautiful panorama that surrounds Machu Picchu, the sensation of seeing the
Wonder through a screen is very different from the sensation of being in the same
place, managing to feel the breeze on your face. It becomes a unique experience,
that energy and mystique that surrounds visitors during the tour of the citadel is
felt from start to finish; leaving one wanting to stay longer to meditate, rest and
admire the beauty of Machu Picchu.There are places or sectors where the energy is
much stronger, such as the Intiwatana or solar clock, the Temple of the Sun, the
Temple of the Three Windows, the liturgical fountains, the main temple, the Ñusta
Palace, the Sacred Square, the Royal Mausoleum and many other places; each with
an incredible story to tell.

The ‘New Seven Wonders of the World’

On July 7, 2007, Machu Picchu was elected one of the New 7 Wonders of the
Modern World; these were chosen by more than 100 million people around the
world, through an open vote on the Internet; the wonders were unveiled in random
order by the New Open World Corporation (NOWC):
The Great Wall of China. The Taj Mahal. Petra. The Colosseum. Christ the
Redeemer. Chichén Itzá. Machu Picchu.

These sites and monuments are popularly known as the “new Seven Wonders of the
World,” modern additions to the ancient Seven Wonders laid out by Philo of
Byzantium in 250 B.C., which included the hanging gardens of Babylon and the
pyramids of Giza. (Of those ancient seven, only the pyramids remain.)

The new wonders were chosen in 2007 through an online contest put on by a Swiss
company, the New 7 Wonders Foundation, in which more than tens of millions of
people voted. All are Unesco World Heritage sites.

Built on four continents, most by ancient and medieval empires, the sites selected
in 2007 are all architectural marvels of enormous scale — and are among the most
visited tourist attractions in the world.

How much does it cost to go from Colombia to Machu Pichu?

A business class ticket to Cuzco costs $ 3.5 million. A boutique hotel for two in
Machu Picchu without food per night can exceed $ 2 million, so staying in Cuzco is
recommended. In addition, to know this place that was built before the 15th
century and is 2,490 meters above sea level, you will have to pay up to $ 244,000
for the entrance.
As 2020 began, the world’s top tourism sites were bracing for a busy year. The
coronavirus pandemic shattered those forecasts.

Air travel dwindled, and tourist destinations shut their doors, upending the lives of
those who depended on the steady stream of visitors. Critics of overtourism saw a
grim silver lining.

The pandemic’s long-term repercussions for tourism to key sites are still uncertain.
Some fear the lack of revenue could impede crucial repairs. Others see an
opportunity in the sudden silence: a chance for nature to recover and for a
subsequent move toward sustainable tourism. such as Peru’s Machu Picchu, are
still waiting to reopen for large-scale tourism.

Machu Picchu’s initial reopening date in July was delayed, as cases surged in the
country. Last weekend, the site finally reopened for one Japanese tourist, who had
waited seven months for his turn. Jesse Katayama, 26, a boxing instructor, decided
to stay behind after Peru declared a state of emergency — one day before he had
been due to see the ancient ruins. Sympathetic locals lobbied on his behalf, and
Peru’s government agreed to make an exception this month of February 2021.