Machu Picchu Peru: home of gods

Many times we have listened of Machu Pichu Peru, who have visited it will they give testimony and they have been amazed of the prowess of this indigenous people of the Andes that with their work, effort and patience, were able to live in the skies.

Peruvian cultural patrimony has its beginning in the wonderful Andean civilizations, which flourished previous to the Spaniards’ appearance. Peru's archaeological treasures such as machu picchu are evidence of many significant achievements similar to those of other great civilizations.

At the present time, different musical expressions, dances and songs, folkloric festivities (religious or not), arts and crafts, gastronomy and other activities (that varies according to different regions) are important expressions of Peruvian and Latin-American cultural heritage.

Peru was the cradle of the Inca empire, and later the seat of the Viceroyalty of Peru which had jurisdiction over all of Spanish South America with Cusco Peru the most important and capital city. It is the home of many indigenous ethnic groups. Popular celebrations are the product of every town's traditions and legends. These celebrations gather music, dances, meals and typical drinks. In addition to the religious celebrations like Christmas, Corpus Christi or Holy Week, there are others that express the syncretism of the indigenous peoples' beliefs with the Christians'.

An example of this kind of celebration is the Alasitas (an Aymara word that, according to some studious people, would mean «buy me») that combines a crafts and miniatures fair with dances, meals and a mass.

Peruvian cuisine is becoming more popular on the world gastronomic scene. It is a blend of Amerindian and Spanish food with influence from other groups, including Africans, Italians, Chinese and Japanese, all of whom have added their own ingredients and traditions to the mix.

The best known and most popular Peruvian dish is ceviche, which is fish and shellfish marinated in lime juice. The most popular ceviche is a type of seafood cocktail where the fish has been marinated in lime with onions and hot peppers, but not cooked.

Machu Picchu, Peru - Inca culture

Machu Picchu Peru, why they are the most impressive American ruins

You arrive in train or helicopter from Cusco, but the best way of doing it is on walk by the mythical way to the Inca, just as their ancestral inhabitants they made it. The itinerary is hard, but the effort that implies to walk during four days (or two, according to the modality of the ' hired tour') amid mountains, clouds, valleys, forests and dispersed archaeological ruins, has a recompense invaluable.

We can give faith: when you finally arrive to the citadel, you will be able to travel their ruins, to ascend the sheer hill Huayna Picchu and then, to rest that night in the town bordering to Aguas Calientes, you will glimpse the feat that has just carried out, and to feel something special. It can sound perfect, it is certain, but to reach Machu Picchu under those conditions makes you to feel more Latin American, or something like that.

When to go?

The ideal thing is during the dry station, between June and August.

How much does it cost?

4 days, 382 dollars, more the entrance to the ruins (25 dollars).

Students with identification card pay the half.

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Machu Picchu Peru: home of gods

Machu Picchu Peru, why they are the most impressive American ruins

When to go?

How much does it cost?