BY Ashtyn Steele
The Hike
The unused soles of his hiking boots dug into the rocky soil of the earth. The blue backpack hung mid-way down his back and strapped tight around his shoulders. The dirt path stirred up a cloud of dust as the leaders of the group dug their feet and kicked their heels into the ground. Adjusting the John Deere cap on his head and slapping on some more sunscreen, he continued on his journey.
It wasn’t the easiest of hikes. The steep incline showed evidence with each move that his body would be crying the next day. It was 2,400 meters above sea level, and the high elevation made the thin air hard to breathe. The mountainous terrain was a lot steeper than the flat pastures in Florida. He took a few more steps before stopping- shoulders hunched, breathing deep.
Chris Steele was determined to see Machu Picchu.
My dad has always been a determined person. He has many stories of the places he's traveled and things he's seen. Hiking in the mountains of Peru is one of those stories. My only experience is from the souvenirs he brought back, which I still have to this day: A straw-woven purse with my name written in pink, and a poncho made of baby Alpaca fur. I was around the age of six, and that’s when the first item on my bucket list was mentally penciled in.
After almost one hour, he scanned where his feet had just landed him. The overlook of the mountain meant success- he reached the top. The wind created goosebumps on his skin as he looked over the ruins of an ancient civilization. On the overlook, there was green grass and man-made buildings crafted in stones.
It’s no wonder hundreds of thousands of tourists come to visit each year.
What is a Virtual Tour?
Machu Picchu is a destination millions of tourists visit and millions more dream of visiting. The current pandemic crisis doesn’t make traveling look promising in the near future. However, this doesn’t mean we can’t safely experience adventures and still visit our dream travel destinations.
Virtual tours are a new way to connect and experience the destination you want to go to without actually going there. It’s the perfect way to “travel” during the times we live in today!
Let’s take a virtual tour through the mountains of Machu Picchu…
History
A 360-degree view on a virtual tour of Machu Picchu allows you to see the lush green grass grazed by Alpacas, the dark gray stone that blends in with the earthy tones on the mountainside, and the structures that have lasted for centuries.
The ancient ruins hide high in the mountains. To hike up shows a desperate need to see the striking wonder. Incan civilization tells a greater story of the culture that was lived with a rich history as proof of a time centuries before us.
Hiram Bingham III discovered the site in 1911, and this is when he published a book called “The Lost City of the Incas,” which told of his discovery. This began the flock to the mountains of Peru and a need to see the ruins.
The ruins date back to the mid 15th century when the Inca strategically built the stone structures and carefully placed each one in a serious of patterns. The area was used for various royal, agricultural and religious purposes. The five-mile property was divided into areas for such purposes. According to History.com, the site was abandoned 100 years after it was constructed due to a smallpox epidemic.
Exploring Machu Picchu Virtually
The peak season to explore this historic site is in the summer months of July and August. It is during this time that around 5,200 guests come each day. There is a bus stop available, which costs $24 for adults, or you can hike 26 miles (five days) with multiple trails to choose from. The most popular trail is the Inca trail with roads built as the empire continued to expand. However, there is also the Inca Jungle Tour that combines hiking, biking, rafting and zip-lining to the top- this sounds like the most fun option! Whether riding the bus or trekking the trails, you will arrive at your long-awaited destination.
Overlook 1
This is the big picture view. Off in the distance, you see the many mountain peaks surrounding the area and the main part of the ruin. Look around at the Andes mountains with the Urubamba River and the Sacred Valley below. As you drag your mouse to view overlook one, you’ll notice the steps made of green grass and stone wrapping all the way around in a semi-circle form. This is a pattern seen throughout the continuation of the tour.
Overlook 2
The design of the ruins adds to the wonder and magnificence of the buildings. The stones were individually shaped and placed, each enduring many earthquakes. Not only is it a structure that builds curiosity around the people who constructed it but also how the people constructed it. Archeologists have spent decades studying the Inca’s work.
Through the Front Door
The Sacred District is at an incline. It contains the Temple of Three Windows, Temple of the Sun and Hitching Post of the Sun. It is because of these temples and the location of them in relation to the clouds that many archaeologists hypothesize this place was more than just a retreat or royal district, it was a religious site.
The Heart
Looking out over the valley, you see the strategic location mentioned earlier. The Incas built the city above the valley, the mountain tops buried thick in the clouds “to provide astronomical observation and proximity to the gods,” "Experience Machu Picchu."
Looking Out
You’re surrounded by walls of massive structures with cut-outs allowing some sort of outside view. The heart is known as the place of royal residences and the burial ground. The royal tomb is evidence of the importance of rank as the high priests and elite are thought to be buried in this tomb, according to “Royal Tomb in Machu Picchu.”
Courtyards
Stepping up and down more than 3,000 stones will take you to a clearing of wide-open spaces, which are the gathering sites where the Inca collected for assemblies and other events. The steps allow for a multi-level design, rather than a straight, flat surface; and it’s because of this design that the site survives landslides.
Fun Facts
The structure and location of the buildings help protect it from earthquakes, landslides and other natural disasters. National Geographic says that when an earthquake occurs, the stones are said to “dance,” but they do not fall. Impressive.
· This bucket list item is expensive. A bus trip costs $24 round trip, and the site itself costs $47 to $62 for entry. In addition, there are additional fees for certain views, areas and museums at the top.
There are 30 species of orchids on the Inca Trail, according to Peru Travel.
The 3,000 stones make up more than 150 buildings, according to the History.com.
Thoughts on the Virtual Tour Experience
I’m 20 now, and I still haven’t made the trip to Peru. With this virtual tour (and a bit of research), it helps deepen our understanding of the rich history and expands our knowledge of the importance of the ruins to the culture. Though we can’t travel, we do have online tools and resources that make us feel like we can.
Machu Picchu may be an unchecked dream on your bucket list, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop dreaming of it. There is still time to experience the unknown- but for now, we can experience it virtually.