From 100 Facts For 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #63

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

63. Hiram Bingham's collection of Peruvian artifacts, however, was criticized as haphazard.

Even if experts consider it haphazard, Peru was happy to have the items returned earlier this year and they are now on display in Cusco.

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From 100 Facts For 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #62

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

62. Hiram Bingham III brought back more than 5,000 artifacts from Peru on an expedition funded by National Geographic and Yale University.

It was originally thought Hiram Bingham took 4,000 artifacts Machu Picchu. However when the country of Peru sued Yale to return the pieces it was discovered there were some 40,000 pieces.

From 100 Facts For 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #61

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

61. Critics say, somewhat disdainfully, that Hiram Bingham, who was a history professor, lacked the proper training to excavate Machu Picchu.

At the time of the discovery of Machu Picchu, Hiram Bingham was not a professor but a lecturer.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #59

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor'

59. Spain was, arguably, the wealthiest and most powerful country in the world at one time. Its coffers surely benefited from the infusion of riches from Peru.

During the colonization of the Americas Spain established two viceroyalties in the Americas.  The first New Spain which included the United States west of the Mississippi, Mexico and Central America with the exception of Panama and the Floridas as well as the Spanish East Indes (Philippine Islands, Mariana Islands, Caroline Islands,Taiwan, and parts of the Moluccas) and the Spanish West Indies(Cuba, Hispaniola, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Jamaica,Cayman Islands, Trinidad, and the Bay Islands).

The other was the Viceroyalty of Peru which oversaw much of current South America including modern day Ecuador, Peru, Bolvia, Chile, Argentina, Panama, Colombia, Boliva, Uruguay and Paraguay.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #58

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

58. Spain called its conquered lands the "Viceroyalty of Peru," ruling for 300 years.

Under the Viceroyalty of Peru most of South America was under the control of Lima.  All ships traveling between South America and Europe and / or Asia were required to pass through the port of Callao (just outside of Lima).

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #60

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

60. Some say that, like the Spanish, Hiram Bingham took what wasn't his on his trips to Peru.

The Hiram Bingham collection included some 40,000 pieces including mummies, ceramics and bones taken when Hiram Bingham "discovered" Machu Picchu in 1911.

From 100 Facts For 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #57

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

57. It's unclear why Machu Picchu was abandoned, but some say it may have been because water was scarce. (That seems unlikely, given the attention to engineering and hydrology at the site, as evidenced, partly, by the irrigation system.) Others blame the Spanish conquest.

One theory includes that as Machu Picchu was a royal retreat underwent a bloody civil war between Huascar and Atahualpa there was little need for a retreat at the time.

From 100 Facts For 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #56

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

56. Machu Picchu was abandoned in the mid-16th century.

Several historians theorize the reason the Spanish never found Machu Picchu is it had been abandoned prior to their arrival.

From 100 Facts For 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #55

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

55. No one is certain exactly when Machu Picchu was built, but best guesses suggest it was some time around the mid-15th century.

Unlike many of the Inca Sites which were built by other cultures and modified by the Incas.  Archealogists believe the Incas built Machu Picchu.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #54

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor
54. Machu Picchu, it's postulated today, probably was a vacation spot for royalty.

This theory also matches with the legal papers filed by Pachacuti descendants in the 1500's.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu #53

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

53.  Later research showed that the remains found at Machu Picchu were not all women, and the idea that it was a sanctuary of sorts for the Virgins of the Sun was discarded.

Hiram Bingham entered tombs at Machu Picchu and removed bones to Yale University.  The collection he took was recently returned to Peru.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu #52

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor
52. The Virgins of the Sun were an elite group who took a vow of chastity.  They were not of noble blodo, but their leader, a high priestess, was.

The virgins were young village girls chosen between 8 - 10 years of age based on their looks who would spend the next 6 to 7 years in the temple next to the Temple of the Sun where they were taught to weave fine clothing and robes for the nobles and hangings for ceremonies.  Afterwards many would often concubines for the Inca or marry nobles.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #51

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor
51. The early explorers, led by Hiram Bingham, were unclear about the purpose of Machu Picchu.  Remains found at the site allegedly were all women, leading some to believe it was the sanctuary of the Virgins of the Sun.

Even upon Hiram Bingham's return to Machu Picchu almost 40 years later, much of what was thought of Machu Picchu was incorrect.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #50

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor
50. Machu Picchu is hard to see from below. It is in a cloud forest (note to visitors: Mornings are often foggy) and has been overgrown.

The best time to visit Machu Picchu is from April to November when it is normally dry.  January, February and March tend to receive rain.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #49

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor
49. If the Spaniards failed to find Machu Picchu, perhaps it's because they were distracted by their desire for the spoils of war, which is partly what led to disagreements between Diego de Almargo and Francisco and Hernando Pizarro.

Researchers have found the name Machupicchu written all as one word referenced in books in the Cusco Monastaries dating back to the 1500's.  There were also legal papers filled in which the descendants of Pachacuti sought the return of family lands including a retreat called Picchu.  Yet it is unknown if anyone visited the city or just knew of its exsistance.

100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #48

The Capture of Diego de Almagro

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor
48. Francisco Pizaro was killed by the son and supporters of his partner, Diego de Almagro, who had been executed by Pizarro's brother, Hernando.

The execution of Almagro there was much infighting within the Spanish Court.  Hernando returned to Spain to gain aid for the Pizzaro side.  He was imprisoned for 20 years for his part of the tretchery in the new world.  Upon his release he married Francisca Pizarro Yupanqui the daughter of Francisco Pizarro and his Inca mistress Ines Yupanqui.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #47

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor
47. Francisco Pizaro earily took over the city of Cuzco. Two years later, he founded Lima, where he died in 1541.

After killing Atahuallpa, Pizzaro took two of his sisters as mistresses Inés Yupanqui with whom he had Francisca Pizarro Yupanqui and Gonzalo Pizarro and Cuxirimay Ocllo Yupanqui with who he had two sons Francisco and Juan.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #46

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

46. In 1533, Atahuallpa was executed, and explorer Francisco Pizaro began his march to Cuzco.

From the history of Cusco ...

With the empire sharply divided and without a leader to take on the Spanish. On July 26, 1533 Pizaro executed Atahulpa, the last of the great Incas in Cajamarca.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #45

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

45. Amazingly, Francisco Pizaro's men, who numbered less than 200, overcame 4,000 or so Incans and captured Atahuallpa, the Incan ruler.

from the history of Cusco ...

To gain his freedom the great Inca agreed to pay the Spanish a ransom of gold and silver filling a large room 22 x 17 feet once with gold and twice with silver. Gold and silver flowed from throughout the kingdom many of the statues from Cusco were sent to pay the ransom. Atahulpa learned that the Spanish wished to see Huascar, fearing the Spanish would make a deal with his brother, Atahulpa ordered Huacar and his family executed.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #44

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor
44. In November 1530, Francisco Pizaro and Atahulpa, the Incan ruler, were to meet in Cajamarca, an Incan city in northern Peru.  Pizaro told Atahualpa to give hiself to Christ and the Spanards, and when he refused, Pizaro decided to attack.

from the history of Cusco...

On their third voyage south, Francisco Pizaro landed near modern day Piura on the northern coast of Peru near the boarder of Ecuador.  Herando de Soto was dispatched to explore the new lands within a few days he returned with an envoy from Atahulpa himself along with some presents with the invitation for a meeting with the strangers.

A Spanish group of less than 200 set out for Cajamarca where Atahulpa was resting after the lengthy war with his brother. The Spanish arrived and laid a trap. The Incas who were camped near a hill by the hot springs were requested to meet Pizaro in town the following day. Arriving late the following afternoon Atahulpa was met by a friar who he refused to accept Catholicism the Spanish sprang the trap. The meager Spanish forces defeated the some 80,000 Incas, and captured Atahulpa.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #43

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

43. The governor of Panama thought the expeditions foolish, so Francisco Pizaro went to Spain to speak directly with the emperor, who said yes. Off Pizaro sailed.

Pizaro was unaware that during his early voyage they had caused a smallpox epedemic which killed both the Inca ruler Huayna Capac and the heir apparent launching a blood civil war between Atahualpa the son from Quito and Huascar the son from Cusco.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #42

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By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

42. Pizaro and his partner, Diego de Almagro, and a priest, Hernando de Luque sailed down the west coast of South America twice.

The first expedition went as far as modern day Colombia.  The second expedition went as far the coast of Ecuador where they met a large native population that had recently come under Incan rule. The group was extremely hostile; making the Spanish change their plans about coming ashore to exploit the area. However it is this initial contact, that brought the smallpox virus to the region which would set a chain of events into action that left the empire as easy prey to the Spanish upon their return.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #41

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

41. Francisco Pizaro seems an unlikely player in the drama. He was a bit of a puzzle. once, the explorer was marked as unambitious, but after a stint as mayor of a city named Panama (in, not surprisingly, Panama), he turned his attention to South America.

While in Panama, Pizaro here stories from locals of cities to the south enshrined in Gold. He set out South on the exploration of South America in Search of the legendary city of El Dorado. The golden city he had heard of was most likely Cusco, however he received much of the gold and silver ransom for Atahulapa.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #40

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor


40.  Where once there was an Incan empire, now there was a Spanish empire that endured for 300 years.

The Inca Empire once stretched from Ecuador and Quito to the north to Chile and Argentina to the South.  The great Inca Road system provided access throughout the kingdom.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #39

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

39. The conquistadors played a huge role in Peru, of course.  Led by Francisco Pizaro, they claimed the land for Spain in the 1500s.

The Pizaro brothers Francisco, Gonzalo, Juan and Hernando all played a major part in the capture of Peru and its early colonial days.  Gonzalo, Juan and Hernando would rule Cusco as a dictatorship fueled by greed, corruption and brutality torturing and executing those who refused the Spanish rule.  While Francisco went on to explore the west and northern coast of Peru and found Lima where he was murdered by supporters of co-conquistador Diego de Almagro.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #38

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

38. Did the Spaniards know of Machu Picchu?  Hiram Bingham didn't think so.  "Yet so far as I have been able to discover, there is no reference in the Spanish chronicles to Machu Picchu.  It is possible that not even the conquistadors ever saw this wonderful place."

 Though today we have knowledge of others visiting Machu Picchu prior to Hiram Bingham there remains no evidence that the Spanish ever found the city.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #37

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor


37. Hiram Bingham continued,  "Surprise followed surprise until we came upon the realization that we were in the midst of as wonderful ruins as any ever found in Peru."

Yet it was not until after Bingham's death in 1956 that it was discovered that Machu Picchu was not the lost city of the Incas and much of what he thought about Machu Picchu was incorrect.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #36

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

36. And what, really, could be? Here's what Hiram Bingham wrote in Harper's Monthly in 1913 about coming upon Machu Picchu.  "...Suddenly we found ourselves in the midst of a jungle-covered maze of small and large walls, the ruins of buildings made of blocks of white granite, most carefully cut and beautifully fitted together without cement."

Bingham would go on to write several articles and the books Inca Lands and The Lost City of the Incas regarding his adventures in Peru.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #35

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

35. Hiram Bingham found Vicabamba, but he dismissed it because it wasn't as grand as Machu Picchu.

Due to its remote jungle location once the Inca empire fell to the Spanish, the location of Vilcabamba was quickly forgotten and much of the city would be encompassed by the surrounding forest.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #34

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

34. Today, historians think the real Vicabamba is close to Vitcos, an archaeological site, in the eastern Andes.  Another swashbuckling explorer, Gene Savoy, came upon it in 1964 at a place called Espiritu Pampa.

Like many Incan sites archaeologists have found that the city of Espititu Pampa was built on the site of a previous Huari city.  Just as many of the ruins near Cusco including Sacsayhuman were originally built by previous cultures and modified by the Incas.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #33

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

33. Hiram Bingham thought he had found Vicabamba, the true  "Lost City of the  Incas"" which was said to be where the Incas took refuge from the Spaniards.

After Cusco fell to the Spanish, Manco Inca Yupanqui was named king of the Incas.  He cooperated with the Spanish for a while.  Then while the Spanish began feuding between each other he took advantage by recapturing Cusco in 1536.   The Spanish regained control of the city and Manco Inca retreated to Vilcabamba where he and his successors ruled for another 36 years leading revolts against the Spanish.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #32

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

32. Christopher Columbus, of course, though he discovered Asia; Hiram Bingham thought he discovered the "Lost City of the Incas."  Both were wrong.

Though Bingham was looking for the city where the Incas took refuge from the Spanish, Vicabamba - Machu Picchu is now generally referred to as "The Lost City of the Incas"

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #31

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

31. Here's something Hiram Bingham and Christopher Columbus have in common: Both thought they had discovered some other place.

Christopher Columbus discovery of the New World brought the Spanish to South America which would eventually lead to the conquest of Peru and the destruction of their empire including their capital city of Cusco.  It would not be until Hiram Bingham's discovery that the world began to appreciate the treasures of the Incas.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #30

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

#30 Like many explorers, Hiram Bingham didn't know exactly what he found.

"His strategy for analyzing the site was way ahead of his time," says Richard Burger of the Peabody Museum of Natural History and an expert on Peruvian anthropology and archeology. "Unfortunately, when it came to interpreting what he found, Bingham got most of it seriously wrong."

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #29

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

29. Hiram Bingham said in his Harper's Monthly story, published in 1913, that a "local muleteer" may have been in Machu Picchu in 1902, based on scrawls he found on a wall.  It seemed clear that even if the Spanish didn't know it existed, others certainly did.

From Wikipedia...

A muleteer (in Spanish language arriero and in Catalan language traginer) is a person who works full or part-time transporting merchandise or luggage with the help of pack animals. In South America, arriero signifies people who, in the absence of good roads that could permit the use of wheeled vehicles, transported all sort of items, such as coffee, maize, cork or wheat, through the paisa region (Antioquia and the Colombian Coffee-Growers Axis) with their mules from the eighteenth century to the present time.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #28

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

#28 Hiram Bingham may not have not been the first European to find Machu Picchu.  Some say it was a German named Augusto Berrns who came upon it in 1867.

It is highly contested that Hiram Bingham "discovered" Machu Picchu the general consensus is that he is credited for bringing Machu Picchu to the attention of the world.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #27

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

#27 Hiram Bingham didn't really discover Machu Picchu, the residents knew it was there, a local Quechua-speaking guide, Melchor Artega, is said to have led him there.

In addition to Machu Picchu, Hiram Bingham is credited for the discovery of vitcos and Espiritu Pampa.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Piccchu - #26

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

#26 Machu Picchu was, not surprisingly, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983.

If you are visiting the Galapagos and Machu Picchu you will visit a number of World Heritage Sites including the city of Quito, The Galapagos Islands, the city of Cusco, the ruins of Sacsayhuman as well as Machu Picchu.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #25

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

#25.  When you enter Machu Picchu, you'll see why it's been designated one of the best preserved pre-Columbian ruins in the world.

 Machu Picchu is often compared in its archarchaeological importance to the pyramids of Egypt.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - Fact #24

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

# 24 You can go to Machu Picchu and return to Cuzco in a day, but you'll have more of it to yourself if you plan to stay a night or two.  Day trippers usually leave by 2pm.

The majority of travelers coming from Cusco arrive at Machu Picchu around 10am and leave at 2pm.  The ruins are open between 6am and 6pm.  Arriving early in the morning 8am and leaving after 6pm allows you to make the most of your day at the ruins without having to add another day to your itinerary.

From 100 Facts for 100 years of Machu Picchu - #23

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

#23 Aguas Calientes, a town, has grown haphazardly as tourist crowds have grown, offers accommodations, some basic and others more luxurious and is the starting point for the ascent (by bus, if you wish) to the Incan citadel.

Machu Picchu Pueblo offers a number of hotels, stores, restaurants, laundry and spa services for travelers.  Its old name of Aquas Calientes refers to the hot springs located just outside of town.

From 100 Facts from 100 Years of Machu Picchu - Fact #22

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

#22 The train deposits you at Aquas Calientes, at the foot of Machu Picchu (which you'll see spelled as Machupijchu).

The town of Aquas Calientes has been renamed Machu Picchu Pueblo (Machu Picchu Town) it's approximately a 15 minute drive by bus through a series of switchbacks up the mountain from the train station to the ruins.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - Fact #21

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

# 21 In March and April, however, train travelers have been taking a bus from the Wanchaq Station in the Cusco area to Ollantaytambo and then taking the train to Aquas Calientes because of maintenance projects with the line.

Planning your train trip from the Sacred Valley avoids these bus trips as well as enjoying the scenic countryside and lower elevation of the hotels in the area.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #20

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

#20  Depending on the level of luxury you desire, your train trip to Machu Picchu could cost as little as $96 from Cuzco (for the Expedition train).  It's $142 for the Vista Dome and $688 for Hiram Bingham.

The prices of the trains very slightly depending on demand.  Hours that are more popular for travel are slightly more expensive than off hours.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - Fact #19

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

#19 You have three choices of train travel to Machu Picchu: the Expedition, or backpacker train (basic) the Vistadome train (which has lots of windows, but if it's warm outside, you may feel as though you are baking in a terrarium) and the Hiram Bingham, a luxury train operated by Orient Express.

The backpacker, expedition, vistadome, and Hiram Bingham are all cars - classes of service offered by Orient Express on the trains operating between either Cusco or the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.  The Expedition train are the same cars as the vistadome but with more basic services offered.

Additionally InkaRail offers two classes of service from Ollantaytambo either Executive or First Class.

From 100 Facts for 100 years of Machu Picchu - Fact #18

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor


#18 Most visitors take the narrow gauge train to Machu Picchu from the Cuzco area (usually departing from the Poroy station).

There are more train options from the Sacred Valley, allowing travelers to choose from a variety of travel times as well as two different train companies.

From 100 facts for 100 years of Machu Picchu - #17

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

#17 The five days' journey from Cuzco refers to hiking to Machu Picchu, which you can still do today on the Incan Trail, a three- to six-day trip that requires good stamina.

The government of Peru restricts the number of people allowed on the Classic Inca Trail at one time. There are a maximum of 500 people allowed to start each day - this includes guides and porters. There are several other Inca Trails in the area which offer the opportunity to trek on the Inca Trail when the Classic Trail permits are taken.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #16

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

#16 Hiram Bingham wrote in Harper's Monthly in 1913: "It seemed almost incredible that this city [Machu Picchu], only five day's journey from Cusco, should have remained so long undescribed and comparatively unknown."

During the early years of the Spanish over 300 Incan sites were recorded in the Cusco area.  Still there were many more that remained undiscovered.  Unknown Incan sites continue to be discovered in the area in in 1999 British born explorer and mountain guide, Peter Frost discovered Qoriwayrachina.  He returned with two National Geographic Society expeditions and have studied the find which includes more than 200 structures, store houses, and intricately engineered aqueduct, colorful potery and tombs.

From 100 Facts for 100 years of Machu Picchu - #15

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor
#15 Cusco, with a population of about 300,000 is the gateway to Machu Picchu, but don't let the word "gateway" confuse you: Machu Picchu is 50 miles beyond Cusco near the town of Aguas Calientes far below the Incan ruins.

There is no road access to Machu Picchu the only way to reach the ruins is via train or by foot.  Machu Picchu Pueblo (formerly Aguas Calientes) is the train stop for Machu Picchu.  It is also home to many hotels where you can spend the night and enjoy a second day at the ruins.

From 100 Facts for 100 Years of Machu Picchu - #14

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

14. The symptoms of altitude sickness don't generally occur until you're at 8,000 feet.  Depending on which yardstick you use, Machu Picchu may be less than that (or more).  Some say it's at 7,100 feet; others say 9,000.  Bottom line: Cut yourself a little slack.


Cusco is at a higher elevation than either Machu Picchu or the Sacred Valley so typically if you are having mild altitude sickness you will feel better when you leave Cusco.  For people doing the Classic Inca Trail hike the "Dead Woman's Pass" at 12,500 feet is the highest point on the trail and where most people will feel the effects of altitude.

From 100 Facts for 100 years of Machu Picchu # 13

By Catharine Hamm | Los Angeles Times Travel Editor


13. To help cope with the altitude, make sure you don't get dehydrated and avoid drinking alcohol.


The best way to get use to the altitude prior to your trek to Machu Picchu is to gradually get use to the elevation.  An afternoon walking tour of Cusco on your first day is a great start.  It allows you to see the sites without over exerting yourself.  Most people find it difficult to sleep at high elevation even if you can't sleep make sure to get plenty of rest, which allows you body to acclimitize.