By Alli Sinclair
For a continent that thrives on the tourism
archaeology provides, it is almost impossible for me to pick a favorite site in
South America. Up until now, I’ve avoided covering the Incan Citadel of Machu
Picchu in Peru as the story’s been done to death all over the web, but if I’m
entirely honest, even after 42 visits to the site, I am still enthralled by the
tightly held secrets between the walls of this once lost city.
I know, 42 is a rather high number in anyone’s
book, right? But when I worked as a tour guide I had the pleasure of taking
groups up to this amazing site and we would travel via the Inca Trail or by
train—either way is impressive.
July 24 last year saw the celebration of 100 years since
Hiram Bingham first discovered Machu Picchu. Local farmers knew about the
existence of this 15th century Inca city way before the western
world, and for hundreds of years, farmers grew their crops along the citadel’s
flanks.
Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983,
Machu Picchu covers 32,500 hectares (80,300 acres) and has 172 dwellings and
stepped agricultural terraces. The popularity of this site has grown over the
years, and with over 2,000 people visiting every day, measures need to be put
in place to keep this pristine example of Incan life intact.
Even after working in tourism for 15 years, I still
struggle with the impact tourism has. In my eyes, everyone has a right to visit
important sites and have the opportunity to learn first-hand about the heritage
of cultures, including our own. But we need to respect the archaeological sites
we visit and ensure the place is left the way we found it. Hence, my passion
for eco tourism.
I love that archaeology is accessible to anyone who
wishes to learn about it, but there are limits. With so many people traipsing
across the slopes of Machu Picchu, geologists are worried about a landslide of
epic proportions. In 1995, there were two incidents when the land moved and
scientists are afraid one major earthquake on the west coast of the country
could be enough to send Machu Picchu toppling onto the town of Aguas Calientes
directly below.
Even with people doing their best to leave Machu
Picchu intact, the buses that drive from the train station up and down the windy road every single day
don’t help. Trekking to the site is more eco-friendly these days, but in the
past, when trekkers could do the trail on their own, the trail was commonly
known as the “Inca Garbage Dump.” A few years back the Peruvian government
wised up and now only allow 500 trekkers on the trail per day and they can only
travel with a registered trekking company that has gone through a rigid
approval system. Finally, people are realizing the negative effects we can have
on our archaeological treasures.
But it’s not all bad. Machu Picchu is the main
reason people visit the city of Cuzco, the stepping off point to see the
archaeological marvel. Tourists bring dollars, and the dollars are used to keep
locals in jobs and their children in school. People from all over the world
gather to exchange experiences and learn about the local culture. With so many
people aware of the archaeological sites throughout South America, it is harder
for authorities and individuals to abuse important archaeological sites. And
even though I escorted groups to visit Machu Picchu, the company I worked for
hired qualified archaeologists to take my clients around the site and expertly
explain the history.
Sure, there are people who travel to archaeological
sites that don’t care about the impact they make. They break of pieces off
rock, leave garbage, and are noisy and disrespectful to the locals. Thankfully,
those “people” are in the minority. My experience of living in Cuzco and
traveling to Machu Picchu on a regular basis showed me a majority of people,
both travelers and locals, give this wonderful lost city the respect it
deserves and want to see it preserved for future generations.
Machu Picchu is famous for a reason. Standing at
the Sun Gate, the entrance to the ruins for trekkers, watching the sun rise and
the expanse of fertile pastures and the grey citadel below, one can’t help be
mesmerized by such beauty. In the quiet of the early morning, it’s easy to
imagine what life may have been like for the 1,000 inhabitants back in the 15th
Century. No one knows for sure what was Machu Picchu’s true purpose was back
then, but today, this archaeological marvel brings people together in a world
of fascination and wonder.
Wow, Alli, 42 visits, that's amazing. It's on my to do list - one day! Are the photos yours? They're stunning. What a great post.
ReplyDeleteSee you,
Cath
Thanks Cath! Yes, they are my photos taken back in the old days before digital cameras. ;-) I'm so glad MP is on your list, you'll never regret going there!
DeleteMe too...one day. Nice post. Just read your ecotourism post too. I'd missed it.
ReplyDeleteAlli, I also love your photos ... and I'm jealous of your 42 visits. You make really good points. I completely agree that everyone has the right to see these places, but I do wish everyone would be more careful with these historic treasures. Once I get Kenya out of my system, MP is on the top of my list.. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Edith! I'm glad you checked out the ecotourism post also. :-)
ReplyDeleteJenny, thank you! When the time comes, feel free to quiz me about going to visit MP!
So jealous, Alli. :)
ReplyDelete