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 - #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 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.

Local Authorities Promote New Circuit Machu Picchu, Vilcabamba and Choquequirao

Regional authorities in Cusco are promoting a new tourism circuit combining the legendary city of Machu Picchu it's sister site of Choquequirao and Vilcambamba with the archaeological site of Espiritu Pampa site and the recently discovery of the Lord of Wari.


"Although every area has its own tourist attractions, there are many [attractions] that go unnoticed because they are not part of a circuit," said the head of Cusco's Plan Copesco, Adriel Gamarra.

Machu Picchu, Choquequirao and Espiritu Pampa are celebrating a 100 year anniversary this year of their rediscovery by Hiram Bingham.  Vilcabamba was the las refuge of the Incas where the Inca people fled when their empire fell to the Spanish. 

Several tombs were discovered within the last few months attributed to te "The Lord of Wari" these gold and silver artifacts.  Archaeologist say these tombs are the most important discovery in Peru since the discovery of the lost city of Machu Picchu.

Historic Lima

The site of modern day Lima Peru was founded January 18, 1535 by conquistador Francisco Pizzaro naming it The City of Kings. Yet the area's original name endured and it continued as Lima. The city became the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru and the Real Audiencia in 1543. The Americas were divided into two Viceroyalties - New Spain (based in Mexico City, Mexico) and Peru (based in Lima). It was from Lima that the Spanish oversaw and governed South America.
It was during these early years that the historic Center of Lima was built including the Plaza Major, The Basilica Cathedral of Lima (1535-1540), Governmental Palace-House of Pizzaro (1535), Archbishops Palace, House of Aligia (1535), House of Pilatos, the University of San Marco and Convent of Santo Domingo and the Court of Santo Oficio (1569).

Huaca Pucllana

Huaca Pucllana located in the Miraflores is one of many adobe pyramids found in Lima, Peru.  Built nearly 2000 years ago by the Lima Culture these pyramids were ignored for years, it has only been recently that these archaeological gems are being restored.
The Restaurant Huaca Pucllana offers traditional Peruvian Cuisine with an incredible panoramic vista of the ruins.