Machu Picchu – A dream come true

For me, it would be really a dream come true if I got a chance to visit Machu Picchu one day. I have been fantasizing of going there for quite some time, so I tried to learn as much as I could about it. This beautiful place is full of great stories, so I’ll try to show you a part of it, and maybe explain why I’m so fascinated by it.

First of all, you should know that it is hard to visit Machu Picchu when you’re on a budget. Hard, but not impossible. You will have to fly to city called Cusco in Peru, and then take three and a half hours train ride to the site of Machu Picchu, located in a tropical mountain forest. It is believed that the temples are constructed in 14^th century, and managed to escape detection by the Spaniard conquistadors who invaded Peru. Only later in 1911, Yale professor Hiram Bingham discovered this beautiful site.

I don’t want to write more about the history of the site itself because this is not that kind of article, but I want to give you (and myself) a few tips if we go there someday.

• If you want to avoid the big crowd, you should not go in July and August. On the other hand, if you want to avoid raining season, you should avoid period from November to April. Therefore, if you want to avoid big crowds and rainy season, the ideal time to go is April to July.
• It is always recommended to hire a tour guide, and not going on your own because you might get lost easy. There are many guides available, but make sure to book one on time, just to be sure.
• If you’re on a budget but still wish to visit Machu Picchu, then you should consider “package deals”. It usually consists of three nights with much walking, but it is worth it. On the other hand, if you have enough to spend, you can create your own trip with as many stops as you like.
• Note that you should be in good shape for this journey because it requires lots of walking through the steep and narrow trails.
• Once again, if you want to avoid big crowds, don’t go from 11am -15pm. That’s when the most people come by bus or train. If you are a photographer and want to take memorable pictures, the light is best at the dusk. Note that you will need at least four hours to visit the site. It is recommended to come twice at least.
• Before you go, other than reading this, you should read as much as you can about Machu Picchu in general. That way you can know what to find and where, and how to enjoy every moment spent there.
• Note that you are on a mountain and at the same time at a tropical forest, so bring warm clothes and be prepared for sudden rain.
• Enjoy and don’t forget to share your experience with other enthusiasts