Machu Picchu Reopens For Tourism

After many longs months of anticipation, one of the world's most beautiful historical and cultural sights reopens. The Peruvian government was force to close this popular touring area after devastating rains flooded the site in late January.

Thousands of tourists and area residents were left stranded when torrential rains fell in the region. Due to mudslides caused by the floods, roadways and rail service were blocked. The only way out was by helicopter. Unfortunately due to poor visibility and continued bad weather, people remained in the towns and villages below for days.

Machu Picchu sits about 8,200 feet (2,500 meters) above sea level in the Andes Mountain range. This site of the Inca ruins was named by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1983. It is Peru's most popular tourism site and responsible for the largest portion of their tourism income.

On April 1, 2010, the ancient site of Machu Picchu was reopened for tourism. This Inca citadel was built around 1450, but abandoned about 100 years later. The Inca site was refound by Hiram Bingham in 1911. Several theories as to why the Incas built this high outpost surround this ancient gift to us.

To visit Machu Picchu, visitors must go through the quaint town of Cusco. This town was recognized by the early Spanish conquerors in the 17th and 18th centuries. Not only is Cusco the gateway to the Inca Citadel perched in the Andes Mountains, but the town has a culture and life of it's own. Beautiful markets, the town square, Plaza de Armas, Chapel of Sagrada Familia and more charm the thousands of tourists on their way to the mystical ruins.

Want to know more about travel to Peru? Call me and let me help you plan your own Peruvian discovery. This is the perfect family vacation.

Adrienne Sasson, DS, CSS
Rubinsohn Travel - Virtuoso
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