#FlyWashington Magazine Fall/Winter 2016 | Page 33

Machu Picchu MACHU PICCHU Spanish Architecture of the Barranco District sites called Huacas that can be accessed adjacent to Restaurant Huaca Pucllana near head to Bizarro There you can party until the sun Barranco’s Museo MATE which is is a good way to spend a couple As night approaches head to Ayahuasca, a large house in at Cala, a lounge and restaurant located on Barancillo beach psychedelic tea that many come Machu Picchu is a stunning archaeological wonder of an ancient Inca citadel located deep in the Andes Mountains of Peru. It has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage site status. Surrounded by huge mountains and valleys, Machu Picchu was built and used by the Incan Empire until the Spanish invasion of the sixteenth century. The impressive development includes walls, ramps and terraces held together without mortar and designed to interplay with incredible views and astrological alignments. While that Machu Picchu was an urban hub of commerce, religion, agriculture and community for the ancient Incans. While this is a bucket list destination, expect lots of crowds and it is now required to purchase a ticket for admission in advance. There are physical challenges to the exploration of Machu Picchu as it is in the middle of a huge mountain range. Visitors can either hike or take the bus but there is no escaping high elevation, which can lead to lightheadedness. GETTING TO MACHU PICCHU FROM LIMA Calientes which is the base of Machu Picchu. This trip takes three and a half hours and trains depart early GETTING THERE but many enjoy the national beer, catch a train on the same day. It is required to spend a night in Cusco. There are hotels, restaurants and plenty of tour guides available in Cusco. either is El Dragon HOLIDAY 2016 31 FLYWASHINGTON.COM