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Visit Machu Picchu This May
Before Columbus landed on what he thought was India in 1492, and before Pizarro later wiped them out, the Incas controlled the largest empire on the North American continent — and maybe the biggest in the entire world. The religiously and culturally diverse civilization spanned a huge portion of western South America, comparable to the most robust territories of Eurasia. Nowadays, not much remains of the Inca Empire, save for some ruins and the otherworldly constructions of Machu Picchu. The Inca citadel, probably built as an estate for the Inca Emperor Pachacuti, still stands after over 500 years, and the blocks of polished stone overlook intense, vertigo-inducing views, considered by some to be among the most beautiful in the world. If you’re thinking of visiting the enormous agricultural terraces and fantastic stone constructions of Machu Picchu, it’s best to go in May, right as the rainy season ends. That way, you won’t have to deal with the battering rain that could potentially muddy the experience of such a historical location.
Fly into Cusco, then immediately take the train to Machu Picchu Pueblo, colloquially known as Aguas Calientes. It’s a scenic 3.5-hour trip running along the Urubamba River, through the fabled hills of the Inca, with breathtaking canyon walls rising above on either side. Spend a night or two in the town getting acclimated to the 6,700-foot elevation, then head to Machu Picchu for some exploring before you return to Cusco. This way, you’ll be able to minimize the unpleasant — and sometimes dangerous — effects of altitude sickness that such heights can bring. You might find yourself dizzy from more than the altitude, though. The views are world class, and the feeling of being in such an ancient place imbued with cultural importance is electrifying.
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