Due
to its special location in a region of Peru
where the Andes and the Amazon meet, the 32,592
hectares surrounding the citadel have been
declared a protected area in order to preserve
the flora, fauna and geological formations, as
well as the archeological remains.
The Machu Picchu Sanctuary is a priceless
example of Andean archeology and culture,
combined with a spectacular natural environment
home to species of fauna and flora unknown
elsewhere in the world.
Apart from Machu Picchu itself, there are 34
other archeological groups in the Sanctuary,
which are interconnected by the ancient Inca
Trail, an impressive original Inca route, which
nowadays is open to tourists.
Notable amongst these sites are the Inca
constructions of Runquracay, the ruins of
Sacyamarca (similar to Machu Picchu), the
citadel of Phuyupatamarca ("Town above the
Clouds"), the ruins of Wiñay Wayna ("Eternally
Young"), the Temple of the Moon and the
archeological group known as the Gran Caverna ("Great
Cavern").
The flora of Machu Picchu is exuberant, and in
higher areas different species of high-Andean
grains are found. In the low areas, trees such
as the "aliso" Alnus jorullensis, "nogal"
Juglans neotropica, "intimpa" Podocarpus
glomeratus, "Kisuar" Buddleja incana may be
found. There are also 30 genus and over 90
species of orchids.
Among the fauna of Machupicchu we can find birds
such as the "condor"
(Vultur gryphus) and diverse species of
hummingbirds, and mammals such as pumas (Felis
concolor), the "tigrillo" (Felis pardalis) as
well as a few species of monkeys and ophidians
of the Bothrops species. There are species in
danger of extinction in the Sanctuary as well,
such as the "rock hen"
("gallito de las rocas"), the "spectacled bear"
("oso de anteojos"), the otter and the mountain
cat.
Perhaps the main attraction of the citadel is
the degree of technology that its builders
achieved in stone work. The joins between the
stones in some of its buildings are so snug that
it’s impossible to insert even the tip of a
needle between them. The most fascinating stone
is the "Intihuatana"
(hitching post of the sun), which served as an
astronomical calendar.
Nevertheless, more interesting is the energy and
peace you feel when you get in this mysterious
place.
Due
to its special location in a region of Peru
where the Andes and the Amazon meet, the 32,592
hectares surrounding the citadel have been
declared a protected area in order to preserve
the flora, fauna and geological formations, as
well as the archeological remains.