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Machu Picchu: The New 7 Wonder of the World
Departing
from the airport of
Lima city
at 06:00 AM on a
LanPeru
flight, I was beginning a new visit to the
Historic
Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. In flight,
I was trying to imagine about this new alternative of
how to know and enjoy one of the most wonderful places
of the earth.
Just
to see, from the air, the Andes Mountains, their snowy
peaks and lagoons, was only the first step to an eco-adventure.
After
enjoy the excellent on-board service, we arrived on-time
at 07:15 on airport of
Cuzco City,
immediately get a taxi to transfer directly to
Ollantaytambo
(97 Km - 60 miles) from Cuzco city, where I arrive at
08:50 AM, so I could aboard the train to Machu Picchu.
I had taken special care in get a window left side seat,
in order to have the best sightseeing of the landscapes
during the journey.
The
railroad goes parallel at right shore of Urubamba river,
and to the other bank there is an extensive valley view,
which turns in canyons at some zones; the geography
change from Andean zone to the high jungle.
Make
the travel with this itinerary, let me be sure to avoid
the highlands sickness (soroche), this is because from
the arrival to Cuzco (3,399 m.a.s.l.) up to Machu Picchu
Village (2,020 m.a.s.l) is all descend route, and so
it permits an excellent adaptation to height.
During
the train journey, I could see majestic Incas constructions,
been the most emphasized the just restored Chachabamba
andenería (great terraces)
At
10:30 AM we arrived at Kilometer 107, place known as
"Parador de Choquesuysuy" where the train stops only
briefly and passengers can get off the train; at that
place we found our guide, the porters and all the necessary
equipment for make the shortest version of "Inca
Trail".
After
crossing a hanging bridge and enter to the Historical
Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, we made the register, and
took the "Inca Trail", beginning the ascension to the
mountains, all covered with abundant vegetation and
splashed by legendary Incas' constructions. From this
point, the birdwatchers, orchid, nature and adventure
lovers get confuse in deep feelings about the integration
and diversity of landscapes and events.
At
my arrival and discovery of Wiñay Wayna, I only had
to pay cult to the greatness reached by the Inca
Culture. The place and landscape have
an indescribable beauty. We continue, after a light
lunch, to another high peak point, called "Intipunku",
where we enjoyed an amazing and allure sightseeing of
Machu Picchu Citadel.
Then, we descend and began the guided visit to the now
considered one of the "New 7 Wonders of the World".
At
5 PM, after a complete visit of Machu Picchu citadel,
we got one of the minibuses in order to descend to Aguas
Calientes (Machu Picchu Village), a town that turns
to be the arrival point of the train Cuzco - Machu Picchu.
From
this event began the second part of my trip, and personally
I never wonder that there can be something else which
would make me surprise, after the ecstasies of passed
sensations.
But
I was mistaken, because when entering to the
Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel was like alternating
between living pictures. Only a few places in the world,
which I had known, can be like this one.
The
hotel with contemporary constructions, integrated to
the landscape and the nature, as an Andean village,
inserted in leafy forests with a rich biodiversity,
where special care have been taken for the vegetation
distribution, specially the flowers which perfume the
atmosphere, and the eucalyptuses fragrance at night.
After
a quick register at the hotel, I was invited to drink
a revitalize tea harvested in the own field of the hotel,
after that, a relaxing rests in my beautiful room.
The
Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, is an ecological hotel designed
in accordance with boutique hotel standards, is not
only one of the best hotels in its class in Peru, but
it has received important international distinctions,
especially for ecological themes, emphasizing the followings:
-
National
Geographic TRAVELER: Best practices in sustainable
travel (May-June 2002)
-
American
Orchid Society (AOS): Conservation award (1998).
The AOS has acknowledged that Machu Picchu Pueblo
Hotel has the world’s largest native orchid species
collection set in a natural environment in a private
facility (May 2001).
-
Condé
Nast Traveler: Included in the 1998 Hot List of
the world's best hotels
After
the sunset, I went to the lobby to meet the hotel's
biologist Ms. Carmen Soto, who is in charge to maintain
the conservation projects, and so we began our first
tour inside the forests of the hotel.
"Gray
to the evening walk": This walk invites to meditation
and spiritualism, after follow beautiful marked footpaths,
we get inside the landscape and all the majesty environment
of one of the most magical places of the world, where
cosmic forces are concentrated.
During
the walk, we stopped at Sacred Rock, with primitive
drawings where ancient Peruvians offered rituals to
"Pachamama" or Mother Earth; The "Rocotal"
Observatory, with spectacular views of the mountains,
the opulent landscape and a full stars sky.
At
sunrise of second day, well rest, relaxed and with a
totally revitalized soul, one more time I got the hotel
lobby to meet Ms. Carmen Soto and begin a new tour.
Previously informed, and only imagine that in all USA
territory there are only 13 hummingbirds species, and
in the 15 hectares hotel forest exists 16 species, in
addition of other 141 birds species, 111 of butterflies,
it was spectacular only to imagine how conservation
projects and the excellent ecological treatment has
allowed this great biodiversity concentration.
Another
surprising theme was
the orchids,
the hotel has joined and preserves 372 native orchids
species, which can be seen and contemplated. Before
the walk, we received a lists of plants, orchids and
birds species, which can be find, also binoculars and
magnifying glasses, and so professional and expert guides.
Also
we feel great satisfaction when we knew and see a special
project for spectacled bear or Andean bear (Tremarctos
ornatus), the same that after been found under captivity,
are readapted in order to be given back to its own habitat.
The
tour "Nature walk" took us through ecological footpaths
during one hour and a half, and allows integrating with
nature and share divinity creations. Medicinal plants,
bromeliads, fruits, aromatic herbs, birds, butterflies,
petroglyphs and more, gave us the chance to commitment
ourselves more with the best way of contribute with
the nature conservation and give value to that persons
or institutions which perform so admirable work. Also,
there are tours only for birdwatchers and orchid theme.
Machu
Picchu Pueblo Hotel can also bring this tours to any
tourist, is not exclusive for its guests.
After
a delicious and revitalize buffet lunch at "Cafe
InkaTerra", being 3:45 PM, I went to the train
station at Machu Picchu Village, only 15 minutes walking
from the hotel, for continue my trip to the America's
archaeological capital,
Cuzco City.
More photos
about this eco-adventure
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