After years of excavation and exploration, archaeologists have finally uncovered the fifth great civilization of ancient mankind, the ancient Peruvian civilization in South America.
Let’s explore this mysterious land with 5,000 years of history with GreaterGo.
Machu Picchu
If you had to choose one Peru landmark, Machu Picchu would most likely be your choice. The legendary city is located high up in the Andes and was built by the Inca Empire in the 15th century. However, in the 16th century, after the Spanish conquest of Peru, the city was abandoned and hidden in the clouds. The historic site was only rediscovered by an American archaeologist in the 20th century. The publication of a detailed report on Machu Picchu in the National Geographic magazine attracted great attention. Since then it has become one of the most popular World Heritage Sites and has been included in the list of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
You can set out from the city of Cuzco, an ancient city dating back to the Inca Empire, on a 4-5 day trek along the Inca Trail to get to Machu Picchu, the royal citadel of the Incas. Or take the new Inca Rail direct train, with beautiful scenery and comfortable seats, to get to the remote UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the green mountains, the sunlight falls on the majestic ancient architecture made of huge blocks as if gilded from afar. The adorable alpacas graze leisurely on the grasslands as they watch visitors exploring the Intihuatana stone and temples. As you walk between the huge stone walls, you realize how impressive it is for the Incas to build this legendary city high on the mountains with limited skills and building materials.
Lines and Geoglyphs of Nazca and Palpa
Although we live in a world of thriving scientific development, there are still many mysteries that remain unsolved. For example the crop circle, the Loch Ness Monster, the Bermuda Triangle… The answers to all questions are still up in the air. Also far in Peru, South America, there is an unsolved mystery.
Mysterious geoglyphs of various shapes etched from rocks have been found in the Nazca Desert. Most lines run across the desert, but there are also some geometric figures and designs depicting figurative creatures and plants such as monkeys, spiders, fish, and humans. Their size ranges from a few meters to a kilometer in width. The use of these geoglyphs is still unknown. While some may propose ancient rain-making rituals, others propose a theory for communicating with extraterrestrials and navigating them to land on Earth. The geoglyphs are also believed to have had ritual astronomical functions.
According to archaeologists, the geoglyphs were made between the 5th century B.C. and the 5th century AD. However, there is no exact answer as to how they formed. The forms usually consist of a continuous line engraved 10-15 cm deep. Due to the remoteness and the dry and windless climate of the plateau, the lines have mostly been preserved. Some of the giant shapes that make up the Nazca Lines are best seen from the air. There is no indication of exactly how the forms were created. You may have to fly your light plane over the Nazca Desert to find out the answer to the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Amazon
Every civilization was nourished by its mother river. The river that produced the glorious culture of the Inca Empire is the Amazon, the largest river in the world by discharge volume.
The river flows from Peru and Colombia through the northern part of South America and empties into the Atlantic Ocean in Brazil. The largest rainforest is along the Amazon. Dubbed the “lungs of the earth,” the lush Amazon rainforest is home to numerous animals and plants. It is not only a cradle of biodiversity, but also a place where some of the earth’s fresh oxygen is produced. There are primitive tribes who lead a traditional and self-sufficient life in their simple thatched huts in the rainforest. They are indeed the living fossils of the history of human civilization.
In the past, expeditions to the Amazon and the rainforest seemed to be reserved exclusively for explorers. Nowadays you can be one of them and start your exploration in Iquitos, a Peruvian port city. There you board a boat to venture deep into the rainforest, visit the indigenous peoples and admire the enchanting landscape of the river.
Colca Gorge
Peru has a wealth of landscapes, the Colca Canyon is one of them. It may not be as grand as the Grand Canyon in the United States and Charyn Canyon in Kazakhstan. Still, Colca Canyon is more vibrant and full of greenery.
From Arequipa, a southern Peruvian city, you will reach the second deepest canyon in the world after a three to four hour drive. There are a number of viewpoints in the gorge from which you can enjoy the breathtaking views from different angles. Consider yourself lucky if you can watch the majestic Andean condors soaring in the sky. The Colca River flows through the valley, with steep cliffs covered in vegetation. The surrounding villages preserve the most original Inca culture, including language and customs. The villagers there are all dressed in traditional clothing. When you arrive at Colca Canyon, take some time to visit the historic villages and experience authentic Inca culture.
Uros Islands
Located between the Peru-Bolivia border, Lake Titicaca is the largest in South America. The huge lake lies high in the Andes at an altitude of more than 3,000 m and is one of the few navigable highland lakes in the world. Considered the birthplace of the Inca culture, Lake Titicaca is home to some Peruvian and Bolivian indigenous people.
These native people are called Uros. They don’t live on the lake, but on the self-built floating islands scattered around it. The Uros build the floating islands from bundles of dried reeds and build settlements on them. The smaller islands usually accommodate one or two families, while the larger ones accommodate around 20 to 30 families and also have facilities such as schools and markets. The residents use solar energy to generate electricity and live from fishing. With the recent increase in tourist arrivals, supporting facilities such as cafes and craft markets are being established. If you have the opportunity, you are welcome to stay with a homestay in the reed house and enjoy a lake cruise on a unique reed boat to experience life on the lake!
Rainbow Mountain
The ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is one of Peru’s most popular tourist attractions. In addition to this well-known UNESCO World Heritage Site, Rainbow Mountain, at a breathtaking altitude of more than 5,200 m, has become another popular hiking destination in recent years.
