While it is one of the most well-known tourist destinations now, it was many years following the discovery of Machu Picchu that it was fully discovered. The main reason for this is the problems of getting to the site logistically. Even now, you are left with a decision as to whether you should hike the mountain or use a plane, then a train and then a bus to make your way to the entrance gates.
Yes despite their inherent inaccessibility, the ruins of Machu Picchu have become firmly embedded as a world travel favorite, drawing crowds from across the globe to marvel at the sight of the mist parting over the cloud forest to reveal the ancient mountaintop ruins.
Despite the studying of this site and the long-term popularity, people are still unsure exactly what the purpose of this world wonder was. The site's construction began in 1400 and it was once the Spanish had entered Peru a century later that it was abandoned. It was not until its rediscovery by Hiram Bingham on July 24, 1911 that attention was paid on an international basis to this now famous archaeological site.
The site had been taken over by the surrounding jungle and time was needed in order to clear all the vegetation that was covering it. Following this, it was studied and many of the buildings reconstructed so that tourists would have a better visual of how the citadel is believed to have looked at the time of the Incas. Work continues all the time, and only 30% of the restoration of Machu Picchu was done by 1976.
Thanks to the fact that the Spanish didn't find the site it was still intact in comparison to the other ruins in Peru, despite the need for reconstruction. In 1981, it was declared to be a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary and, in 1983, UNESCO named it a World Heritage Site. In an international online poll in 2007, it was chosen as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
Tourism to Machu Picchu was low for many decades thanks to the fact that the remoteness of the wonder made it expensive and difficult to reach. In addition, concern about guerrilla activity in Peru during the 1980s kept visitors from arriving in great numbers. This was gradually to end, particularly after the guerrilla conflicts ended in 1999.
Over recent years, tourism has exponentially increased. An example of this is the Classic Inca Trail, and the fact that the number of people trekking this to Machu Picchu was 82,000 in 2000, which had rose from the 1984 total of 6,000. Currently, the numbers trekking combined with the far greater numbers taking the train combine to close to one million visitors annually.
Due to environmental effects as well as the great number of tourists visiting the site, there is continued concern that it is in danger of deterioration. In 2011, the Peruvian government acted to limit entrance to the site to 2500 persons per day, although many people feel that this is still too many. Due to it being a vital part of the Peruvian economy, and a big part of vacations to the country, all the rumours that it may one day shut to tourism are unlikely.
Despite the studying of this site and the long-term popularity, people are still unsure exactly what the purpose of this world wonder was. The site's construction began in 1400 and it was once the Spanish had entered Peru a century later that it was abandoned. It was not until its rediscovery by Hiram Bingham on July 24, 1911 that attention was paid on an international basis to this now famous archaeological site.
The site had been taken over by the surrounding jungle and time was needed in order to clear all the vegetation that was covering it. Following this, it was studied and many of the buildings reconstructed so that tourists would have a better visual of how the citadel is believed to have looked at the time of the Incas. Work continues all the time, and only 30% of the restoration of Machu Picchu was done by 1976.
Thanks to the fact that the Spanish didn't find the site it was still intact in comparison to the other ruins in Peru, despite the need for reconstruction. In 1981, it was declared to be a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary and, in 1983, UNESCO named it a World Heritage Site. In an international online poll in 2007, it was chosen as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
Tourism to Machu Picchu was low for many decades thanks to the fact that the remoteness of the wonder made it expensive and difficult to reach. In addition, concern about guerrilla activity in Peru during the 1980s kept visitors from arriving in great numbers. This was gradually to end, particularly after the guerrilla conflicts ended in 1999.
Over recent years, tourism has exponentially increased. An example of this is the Classic Inca Trail, and the fact that the number of people trekking this to Machu Picchu was 82,000 in 2000, which had rose from the 1984 total of 6,000. Currently, the numbers trekking combined with the far greater numbers taking the train combine to close to one million visitors annually.
Due to environmental effects as well as the great number of tourists visiting the site, there is continued concern that it is in danger of deterioration. In 2011, the Peruvian government acted to limit entrance to the site to 2500 persons per day, although many people feel that this is still too many. Due to it being a vital part of the Peruvian economy, and a big part of vacations to the country, all the rumours that it may one day shut to tourism are unlikely.
There are a vast array of Peru tours packages on offer for people who are looking to head on the South American vacation of a lifetime. Make sure you have Peru tours Machu Picchu as a staple for your travel.
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