No doubt, Machu Picchu is one of the most visited and important places in South America. Every day, hundreds of tourists from different countries come to this magical place to learn a little more regarding its history. In 1911, Hiram Bingham, an American explorer, revealed this Inca city that for years was hidden in the Peruvian jungle. Though its discovery dates back much further, Bingham’s revelation brought Machu Picchu to global attention. In the following note, we will tell you all the details.
WHAT WAS MACHU PICCHU LIKE IN 1902?
Hiram Bingham was an American explorer and politician who first encountered Peru in 1908 following attending the First Pan-American Scientific Congress in Chile. When he visited Cusco, he looked for ancient Incan ruins, but left disappointed as he mightn’t find the treasures he had expected.
A few years later, in 1911, Bingham returned to Peru, this time to Huayna Picchu, hoping to find the last capital of the Inca empire. His journey took him through the tropical jungle, across rivers, streams, and dangers of the wild. He was amazed to find Machu Picchu.“I found shining temples, royal houses, a large square and thousands of houses. It seemed like I was in a dream.” he wrote in his diary, according to National Geographic.
It is important to mention that the first explorer of the city of Cusco was the Peruvian farmer named Agustín Lizárraga in 1902, according to historians. However, Bingham was the one who spread this great discovery to the world nine years later. Machu Picchu looks different now than it did back then, largely because of the increased tourism.
WHAT ARE THE TOURIST PLACES TO VISIT DURING NATIONAL HOLIDAYS?
For those who are thinking regarding domestic tourism during the Fiestas Patrias holidays in Peru, the Andina Agency has shared through its platform a list of tourist sites offering diverse natural spectacles:
- Machu Picchu: Located in Cusco, this July 24th marks the 113th anniversary of the discovery of this wonder of the world by Hiram Bingham. This magical place also celebrates 17 years as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World this Sunday, July 7th, with many planned celebrations. You can also visit archaeological parks like Sacsayhuamán, the main stage of the magnificent Inti Raymi; Ollantaytambo, Písac, Chinchero, Moray, Sacred Valley, and many more.
- Huascaran National park: Located in the department of Ancash, July 1st marked the 49th anniversary of this beloved destination for both national and international tourists. Huascaran protects the ecosystems of the Cordillera Blanca, its flora and fauna, geological formations and snow-capped mountains. It is also considered a natural, scientific and cultural heritage of the nation.
- Whales on beaches of the north coast: It is one of the most popular tourist attractions for nature lovers every time they visit the beaches of El Ñuro, Máncora, Cabo Blanco and Los Órganos, in Piura and Punta Sal, Lobitos and Zorritos in Tumbes. The ideal season for whale watching starts from July to October, with approximately 30 species to observe, most notably the “humpback whale”. Visitors can also see sea lions, dolphins and sea turtles in the vast waters of the sea of Grau.
- Amotape Hills National Park: Located in the northern part of Peru, Amotape Hills is a man-made natural park in the department of Piura and the southernmost part of the department of Tumbes. This July 18, it celebrates its 49th anniversary as a protected natural area. It’s a great alternative for tourists looking for a unique experience.
- City of Lambayeque: This city is located on the northern coast of Peru and is the capital of the district and province of the same name, in the department of Lambayeque. One of its typical celebrations that take place in the third week of July is the “Traditional King Kong Week”, featuring the place’s signature dessert.
- Huaraz City: It is the capital of the Ancash region, a city in the Callejón de Huaylas valley in northern Peru. It is located more than 3,000 meters above sea level and this July 25 it will celebrate its 167th anniversary of political creation with many events designed to attract travelers.
No doubt Machu Picchu It is one of the most visited and important places in South America, as every day hundreds of tourists from different countries come to this magical place to learn a little more regarding its history. Precisely, in 1911, Hiram Bingham, an American explorer, revealed this Inca city that for years was hidden in the Peruvian jungle, although its discovery dates back much further. In the following note, we will tell you all the details.
WHAT WAS MACHU PICCHU LIKE IN 1902?
Hiram Bingham was an American explorer and politician who first encountered Peru in 1908 following attending the First Pan-American Scientific Congress in Chile. When he visited Cusco, he made an incursion into the ruins of the Incan city, but left disconcerted because he might not find the treasures he had expected.
After a few years, exactly in 1911, Bingham returned once once more to the country, but this time to Huayna Picchu with the objective of knowing the last capital of the Inca empire, for which he had to go through the tropical jungle, rivers, streams, animals and the dangers that the jungle has. Thus, he was surprised when he found Machu Picchu.I found shining temples, royal houses, a large square and thousands of houses. It seemed like I was in a dream.“he wrote in his diary, according to National Geographic.
It is important to mention that the first explorer of the city of Cusco was the Peruvian farmer named Agustín Lizárraga in 1902, according to historians. However, he was able to spread this great discovery to the world, just as the American did nine years later, and it now looks different than it did before.
WHAT ARE THE TOURIST PLACES TO VISIT DURING NATIONAL HOLIDAYS?
For those people who are thinking of doing domestic tourism during the Fiestas Patrias holidays in our country, the Andina Agency shared through its platform a list of tourist sites that offer various natural spectacles:
- Machu Picchu: Located in Cusco, this July 24th marks the 113th anniversary of the discovery of this wonder of the world by the American explorer Hiram Bingham. Previously, this magical place celebrates 17 years this Sunday, July 7th, considered one of the wonders of the modern world, for which many celebrations will take place. You also have the option of visiting archaeological parks such as Sacsayhuamán, the main stage of the magnificent Inti Raymi; Ollantaytambo, Písac, Chinchero, Moray, Sacred Valley, among others.
- National park huascaran: Located in the department of Ancash, on July 1st, the 49th anniversary of one of the favorite destinations for national and international tourists was celebrated, as it has been protecting the ecosystems of the Cordillera Blanca, flora and fauna, geological formations and snow-capped mountains, and is also considered as a natural, scientific and cultural heritage of the nation.
- Whales on beaches of the north coast: It is one of the favorite tourist attractions for nature lovers every time they visit the beaches of El Ñuro, Máncora, Cabo Blanco and Los Órganos, in Piura and Punta Sal, Lobitos and Zorritos in Tumbes. The ideal season for these sightings starts from July to October, managing to appreciate around 30 species and the best known as “humpback whale”. In addition, they can observe sea lions, dolphins and sea turtles in a great spectacle within the sea of Grau.
- Amotape Hills National Park: It is located in the northern part of Peru and is home to a man-made natural park in the department of Piura and the southernmost part of the department of Tumbes. This July 18, it celebrates its 49th anniversary as a protected natural area, being another alternative for tourists.
- City of Lambayeque: This city is located on the northern coast of Peru and is the capital of the district and province of the same name, in the department of Lambayeque. One of its typical celebrations that take place in the third week of July is the “Traditional King Kong Week”, the place’s signature dessert.
- Huaraz City: It is the capital of the Ancash region and is a city in the Callejón de Huaylas valley in northern Peru. It is located more than 3,000 meters above sea level and this July 25 it will celebrate its 167th anniversary of political creation with different events that will attract the attention of travelers.
