Cusco, Peru – 19.-24. January 2018
There has been always a fixed point while I was planning my trip to South America, and this fixed point was the visit to the Machu Picchu. I have been always fascinated by the history of the pre-colombian civilizations in the Americas. I find the idea of civilizations developing in autonomous ways in the same planet as much fascinating as the idea of civilizations developing in autonomous way in the same galaxy, and it is likewise interesting to guess what happens when these civilizations eventually come in contact.
So coming to Cusco, the door to visit the terrritories of the Inca’s Empire, was a “mandatory” step in my trip. And, as european, I can’t say it was only a pleasure trip. You can’t just walk in Machu Picchu without asking yourself what would have been of that place without the impact of european imperialism. Machu Picchu in particular is a good example of that, since apparently the city has been abandoned by The Incas before it completition in a desperate attempt of defense from the spanish conquerors.
Machu Picchu is world known for being one of the most breathtaking places in the world, and this is a well deserved reputation. Unfortunately it takes a bit of imagination to enjoy the place: the number of turists visiting the area is enormous and even just finding a good spot to rest and experience the view can be tricky. But when you manage to find the right spot, it is easy to think to the Incas living there centuries ago, and it is almost magic thinking to Machu Picchu in a starred night, with just darkness and silence all around.
Accessing Machu Picchu is still today non the easiest task. The main way to reach the area is taking the train that from Cusco arrives at the basis of the Machu Picchu, in Aguas Calientes. Alternatively, and this is the way I took, it is possible to take a minibus to Hidroeléctrica, that is the last station of the train route accessible also by road, and walk the last 11 km to Aguas Calientes. I actually loved this solution, that allowed me to do some more hiking next to the visit to the Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu is not the only place to visit around Cusco. Cusco itself is definetely worth of a visit, like worth of the visit is the Valle Sagrada, a pretty big area with different archeological spots. I visited it joining a couple of guided tours, but honestly I regret not having planned my visit along the Inka Trail, an hiking track that in 5-6 days allow you to visit all these areas, including the ones less covered by guided tours.
I can’t deny that coming again to Cusco and Machu Picchu, possibly along the Inka Trail, is already in my bucket list.
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Song of the post: Fabrizio De Andrè – Fiume Sand Creek (Sand Creek River)
Si son presi i nostri cuori sotto una coperta scura;
sotto una luna morta piccola dormivamo senza paura.
Fu un generale di vent’anni,
occhi turchini e giacca uguale.
Fu un generale di vent’anni,
figlio d’un temporale.
Ora i bambini dormono
sul fondo del Sand Creek.
son of a thunderstorm.
Now the children are asleep
at the bottom of the Sand Creek.