Machu Picchu would mean ˝Old Peak˝. Machu Picchu is one of the world´s most famous and most popular tourist attractions. It dates to the 15th century and it is attributed to the Inca tribe which lived high in the Cusco Region in Peru. The site is located at 2,430 m above sea level, some 80 km away from the nearest town of Cusco.

As one of the most important archeological sites in the world Machu Picchu was enlisted on a UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983 and since then a lot of effort was invested in its restoration and preservation.

I is believed that the construction of the site begun at the beginning of the 15th century for the Inca emperor Pachacuti. At the time of the Spanish conquest the site was abandoned by the Inca.

Machu Picchu consists of a complex of palaces, temples, plazas as well of the homes of ordinary people. Since the site is located so high in the mountains its location has a perfect setting for many occasions  such as in case of war, ceremonies to contribute gods and high ranked society as well as for the use of a retreat.

Around the site there are numerous trails and sites that descend from the top in the forest in the Andes. It seems that there is a connection of the monuments and mountains with the astronomical events. This also speaks in favor of the universal purpose of the construction of Machu Picchu.

The magnificence of the site lies in the fact that at the time of the construction the Inca had no iron nor wheels, and yet they succeeded to build such a remarkable site.

The most important things within the site is the Funerary Rock Hut. I is believed that at this place the Incan noble people were mummified.

There is also the Royal Tomb which one can reach by going down stairs. It is in a form of a cave where one can see ceremonial niches and the Inca cross that represents the three levels of existence.

People at the site can enjoy in the views and stories about the Sacred Plaza, Sacred Rock, the Central Plaza, Intiwatana (post of the sun used for the predication of the solistice), and the Condor Temple.

And, of course, visitors will most probably see Alapaca (an animal very similar to a llama)

Even though today the majority of people are familiar with Machu Picchu, at least from photos and stories, the site somehow managed not to get familiar to the world outside of Peru or Latin America up until the 20th century when the American historian Hiram Bingham made it famous. According to the history resources his trip to the top using the Inca trails lasted six full days.

Today, numerous visitors can use the train to get up there while they can also follow the trails and experience the real climb.

Basilica Cathedral of Lima is a Roman Catholic Cathedral located in the city centre, by the Plaza Mayor (Plaza de Armas). Its construction started right after the arrival of the conquistadors, in 1535. Since the beginning of the construction until present time the cathedral was several times reconstructed and transformed. The Cathedral of Lima is dedicated to St John. The large fron façade has three doorways of which the central Portada del Perdón is the largest. Two towers appear on each side of the cathedral. The towers are marked by the neoclassical style. Within the cathedral there are 14 side chapels. The inside of the church is decorated by paintings and sculptures describing the lives of the saints.

Sacsayhuamán is an archeological site or complex that is situated near the town of Cusco, Peru. It has been on a UNESCO World Heritage Sites List since 1983. This site is located on an altitude of 3,700 m above the sea level. The entire site occupies approximately 3,000 hectares of land.

This is a stone complex that was used for military purposes, It has large walls built of strong stone blocks. The longest wall has about 400 m and it is 6 m high, while it is estimated that the greatest rock has about 300 tonnes of weight. This impressive construction was built without the help of other construction materials, and therefore cement is not present. The technique and the skill of these ancient workers has to be mentioned and remembered. There were located towers and other buildings at the top of the site. Besides the large plaza which was the center of the everyday life and rituals there were also located storage rooms.

There are different theories about the construction of the Sacsayhuamán. The most accepted affirms that the massive stones were dragged with really strong ropes by hundreds of laborers. Since the stones were not fine cut immediately, the laborers would drag them to the place where the stone should go and then they would shape It into their final shape. After that the stones would be positioned in the designated planned place.

Some even mention that there existed some sort of ramps that enabled them to carry the stones from place to place.

Plaza de Armas or Plaza Mayor is a central city square of the Peru´s capital, Lima. As it is the case with every principal city square, it is surrounded by some of the oldest, most important, and most famous buildings in the city, and in the country, as well. Around the Plaza de Armas one can see the Government Palace, the Cathedral of Lima, the Archbishop´s Palace of Lima, the Municipal palace and the Palace of the Union.

Four avenues surround the square and they are called: Jiron Jnin, Jiron de la Union, Jiron Huallaga, and the Jiron Carabaja. The plaza was planned and built in 1535, Later on, many buildings rose and beautiful fountains were added. The first fountain in the square was built by Francisco de Toledo, who was a viceroy. This first fountain stands even today as the center of the square. By now, it is almost 4 centuries old. As it was in the past, it is also today, the plaza was and remained the centre of the city where many events are organized and held.

The Rafael Larco Herrera Museum is considered one of the top archaeological Museums in Lima and in South America. It was founded in 1926 in the north of Lima near Hacienda Chiclin where the Larco family is originated from but in the 50's the Larco family moved to Lima so that their fantastic collection can be admired by local and foreign visitors.  With a display of more than 45,000 piece in the museum, the room which is considered the best and the most spectacular one is the Store room which keeps different pottery from the Mochica, Chimu and Cupisnique civilizations as well as gold and silver objects from the Pre-Hispanic Era. 

The historic center of Lima was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991 for the great concentration of different colonial and replublican-time buildings such as palaces, churches, monasteries, convents most of which show the strong Moorish influence Lima received during the foundation of the city on January 18, 1535.

Lima is also know as the CITY OF THE KINGS and invites you to discover all its attractions and culture.

Parque de las Leyendas was founded as a first zoo in Peru. It was founded by Felipe Benavides in 1964. This is not only a zoo but also, inside the complex one can enjoy a relaxing walk in the botanical garden. Peru is a land of great plant and animal diversity so the large part of the animals and plants are of the Peru origin. International Zone or Zona Internacional is a one of four parts of the Park where one can enjoy watching many animals from all around the world. There are several museums within the park as well as some monuments. This is really a beautiful park well worth visiting.

Cerro Azul is a fishing village and a former trade port. It is located about 130 km from Lima. It is most visited by the tourists during the summer because of the beautiful beaches. Besides swimming, people can enjoy surfing because the sea is adequate for this activity as well as for other water sports. Along the coastline one can enjoy in many resorts, apartments, bars or just in a relaxing stroll along the beach.

There are two Inca sites called the same on the way from Cusco to Machu Picchu, on an Inca trail. Many archaeological investigations and findings helped to know a bit more about the famous Inca culture. The first expeditions to the site called it the ˝ruins of the Inca castle˝. When one of the last rulers of the Inca Manco Inca Yupanqui leaded the Inca people away from the Spaniards he burned all of that in order to prevent or minimize the Spanish strength.

It is important to mention that the conquistadors never found this settlement. It is considered that the Patallacta was the rest stop for the travelers heading to the famous Machu Picchu.

These two Patallacta or Llactapata are very important, famous and beautiful sites that tell their story about the life and customs of the Inca people.

Even today, Inca sites stir the imagination and let the modern man think about the life the tribe led.

Vilcabamba or Espítu Pampa is the Inca city, their last refugee before the Spaniards defeated them. In attempt to save themselves from the Spanish conquistadors and their army they went to the Vilcabamba with the Manco Inca as their ruler at the time. This city was founded in 1539. It was 36 years later, when the Spaniards finally succeeded in their attempt and killed the last Inca ruler, called Tupac Amru. After the Inca Empire ceased to exist, Vilcabamba was burned and forgotten.

This site was rediscovered in the late 19th century by Manuel Ugarte, Manuel Lopez Torres and by Juan Cancio Saavedra. At that period Vilcabamba was called Espíritu Pampa and later on when Hiram Bingham discovered Machu Picchu he thought that it was Machu Picchu the famous Vilcabamba, the last Inca city.

It was discovered late as in the 1960s that the Espiritu Pampa was in fact Vilcabamba and that was further confiremd and more facts were found in the letters found in the museum in Spain.