Visitors to Rome look forward to the Colosseum; some do not know how to deal with serpentine queues and long hours of waiting before they can buy the tickets. There are actually several ways in which tourists can avoid the long wait in queues for tickets.

Buy an Online Ticket

Buying the tickets online is the easiest, as it is convenient and saves a lot of time. The reservation can be made online by filling out an online form giving two dates of preference for the visit. The dates need to be filled in the European format of date, month and year. Visit the official Roman Colosseum website for more details.

Credit card details will be required; however, charges are deducted only after confirmation of seats, after which the tickets can be printed. These tickets just block seats and cannot be used for entering the Colosseum. Visitors will need to exchange the same for entry passes at the ticket desk at the site.

Combination Ticket

These tickets can be used for entry to three sites which include the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. The tickets are valid for two days, so visitors do not have to rush through the tour. The sites can be visited at leisure.

Other Options

There are other choices available to visitors for buying the tickets. They may buy any of the following:

• Vatican and Rome Card
• Roma Pass
• Archeological Card

Any of these three cards allow tourists entry into the Colosseum without having to wait in long queues. The Roma Pass holders can visit the first two sites on their itinerary, free, and it is better if they choose to visit the Colosseum before going to the other sites.

Ticket Pricing

The cost of the tickets is inclusive of booking fee and service taxes. Entry for children infants and toddlers is free. Nationals of the European Union (EU) aged below 24 years and over 65 years are eligible for a discount on tickets. All foreign nationals must carry a proof of identification while visiting these sites. These include a valid passport or driving license. For more info, visit the Roman Colosseum website.

View from one of the entrances into the rest of the Colosseum
Photo by: neiljs, Creative Commons

The great Roman Colosseum, considered to be one of the finest examples of Roman architecture, was designed to hold up to 80,000 visitors. It is the epitome of Romes grandeur. Built long before modern machinery and heavy equipment was available, it is an architectural marvel of its era. Unlike most structures, this towering amphitheater does not have one or two entrances, but 80 of them!

Crowd Control

This massive amphitheater was designed to hold as many as 80,000 people at once. The numerous entrances were part of a complex, ancient crowd control system. In addition to the numerous entrances allowing access from the outside, there are dozens more inner doorways, walls, corridors and tunnels.

The brilliant design allowed tens of thousands of spectators to enter the building, funneled by passageways to the appropriate seating section. It is estimated that in as little as ten minutes, the entire crowd could be dispersed in an organized manner.

The Gates

Inside the Colosseum entrances, visitors are led to a corridor which encompassed the building. From this corridor, they would continue to staircases and inner passageways. Each of the highly ornate entrances is in the shape of an arch. There are 76 entrance arch gates, designed for access by the general public. These were numbered, allowing visitors to easily locate the correct entrance leading to their designated seating.

VIP Entrance

The remaining four Colosseum entrances, called the grand entrances, were not numbered. These gates were reserved for important visitors such as Emperors, senators, wealthy patrons, visiting dignitaries, and the Vestal Virgins. Although all entrances are detailed and ornate, these special arches are fantastic.

The North Entrance is still in existence today. It is located between gates 38 and 39. The South Entrance is directly between the first and last general public entrances. The other two Grand Entrances are called the Gate of Life, and the Gate of Death.

During gladiator games, the participants would enter through the Gate of Life – and exit that way if they survived. Those who perished in battle, were stripped of weapons, and removed through the Gate of Death.

Hypogeum as viewed from above
Photo by: HarshLight, Creative Commons

The Colosseum hypogeum was the intricate network of tunnels, passageways, rooms and storage spaces beneath the floor of the main arena. Derived from the two Greek terms of hypo and gaia, it literally means “under the earth.” It was added to the Colosseum some years after its initial construction, by the Emperor Domitian. Its primary function was as a holding area for slaves and animals used in the gladiatorial games.

Details

The Colosseum hypogeum was actually made up of two separate levels, with a remarkable amount of technical sophistication included in each. It was used for stage props and housed elaborate mechanical devices, used to move animal pens and slaves up to the main floor of the Colosseum.

This allowed for swift scenery changes through specially constructed vertical shafts and gave the master of ceremonies the option to customize each battle to his liking. Under the sand of the Colosseum’s substrate, thirty-six trap doors were hidden, making seamless transition between different battle scenarios possible.

Sophisticated Mechanics

Also, the hypogeum helped create special effects and surprise challenges for the contestants. For example, often a wild animal would be released through these openings in the midst of combat, to further add to the chaos. These animals would be penned, and a vertical winch known as a capstan would be used to raise their cage. A diagonal groove in the wall held a wooden ramp, which the beast would use to climb onto the Colosseum floor.

Some of the most talented engineers of the day worked to improve the Colosseum hypogeum constantly, and evidence points to a minimum of twelve separate improvement projects. This included the addition of a hegmata, which was a massive platform used to push large creatures such as elephants onto the main arena level. Although unseen by the Roman onlookers, the hypogeum was a true engineering marvel, which made the shows within the Colosseum an unrivaled spectacle.

The Spoliarium is an important part of the history of The Colosseum in Rome, Italy. This is the part of the Colosseum Complex where dead gladiators were brought after the fight in the arena. It is known that gladiators were trained by different ludus during the early rule of the Roman empire.

These gladiators then took part in a game in the arena where they have to fight another gladiator or an animal. Here are some important facts about the Spoliarium:

Facts about the Spoliarium

1. The Spoliarium is connected to a gate in the Colosseum. This gate was called the “Gate of Death”. It was in this gate that dead gladiators were dragged to be brought to the Spoliarium.

2. Once the deceased gladiators are brought in the Spoliarium they are stripped off their armors and weapons. This is done before the bodies of the deceased are disposed of.

3. It is still uncertain what really happens in this chamber. The reason behind this is that no Roman writer was able to write about what truly happened in this death chamber. Speculation abounds in history that after the dead gladiators were stripped of their armor and weapons, these items were brought back to their lanista.

4. Students of medicine, specifically anatomy, are said to purchase some of the dead bodies as a way of furthering their studies.

5. Dead animals were also disposed of in the Spoliarium. This fact led people to believe that this part of the Colosseum had a stench of death and that there must be a lot of bodies piled up after each game in the arena.

6. A painting made by Juan Luna of the Spoliarium, depicts the horror that may have been going on in the Spoliarium. It shows a gladiator without life being dragged into the darkness of the chamber.

These are some of the facts that have been accumulated over time about this part of the Colosseum. Until this very day, the Spoliarium still brings a sense of death whenever it is mentioned or imagined.

No one can truly know what happened in this chamber but it is considered a very important part of the Roman history.

Cross Section of where the seats used to be
Photo by: JustinMN, Creative Commons

The Colosseum or the Flavian Amphitheatre is one of the most legendary monuments of ancient Roman culture. The construction was started by Emperor Vespasian and the work was completed under the reign of his son, Titus.

Capacity

The Colosseum was a stage for gladiatorial battle or a stage for justice where prisoners or criminals were executed in front of the entire Rome. The total capacity of the Colosseum was 45,000 to 55,000 people.

There was no entrance fee for spectators but they were provided with a ticket that consisted of a seat and tier number and entrance gate number. The seating arrangements reflected the division of the Roman society.

Seats

The seats were arranged in the form of four sections or tiers in accordance with the ranks. The most prestigious segment belonged to the Emperor who had a seat in the Imperial box, also known as cubiculum. This prominent position of the Imperial box was placed on the podium located on the north side.

Podium also called ima caveum, was situated at a height and contained reserved seating. The other seats on the podium were marked for the most elite class of Romans, which included members of Royal family, senators, nobles and priests.

The Elite

The second tier or Maenianum primum was reserved for Equites or Knights, who belonged to the non-senatorial class. This segment consisted of 14 sections of marble seats. The third tier was reserved for plebians or ordinary Roman citizens.

It was further divided in to two segments in which the lower seats belonged to rich plebeians and the upper seats were for the poor plebeians. The fourth and the last tier were made up of wooden seats and were reserved for common women.

Colosseum is the most enduring building of Rome that has a major symbolic meaning. It forms the base of arenas all over the world.

Mount Everest viewed from base camp one
Photo by: Rupert Taylor-Price, Creative Commons

With a peak that reaches 29,035 feet, Mount Everest is known as the world’s highest mountain.

This famous mountain has been visited by trekkers each year while fighting against very cold conditions, inclement weather and other environmental factors which make it difficult to reach. However, foreign trekkers, climbers, and mountaineers still visit this famous natural wonder.

Freezing

The coldest month of the year is in January where the temperature can go down to -76°F (-60°C) while July is considered to be the warmest even though the temperature goes down to -2°F (-19° C). When bad weather arises, trekkers are stranded in the foothills to wait for a better time to proceed.

Guides and porters can guide you as you venture the peak of this famous mountain. During the months of October to April, it is difficult for climbers and travelers to visit the mountain due to the weather condition.

With this, Mount Everest is open for expeditions the whole year but the best time to visit is during the months of April to June.

Easter Island weather is characterized by low daily thermal fluctuations, with a well distributed rainfall throughout the year. The average summer high temperatures range between 77 to 81°F (25 – 27 °C), with the lows being between 64°F and 68°F (18 – 20 °C).

Winter

Winter has an average temperature of 68 °F (20°C) high, with lows of 59°F (15°C). Winter season runs from June to September, while summer is between December and March.

Rest of the year

For the most part of the year, this island off Chile is exposed to trade winds that blow towards the northeast. There is heavier rainfall between April and May, with the annual average rainfall at 43 inches (1,100 mm).

The best season to visit Easter Island is during the summer, between December and March. Make sure to carry wind proof jackets, strap-able hats and sweaters as the winds can be very strong. This wind, however, makes this hot season feel cooler than it really is.

The winter season is not very cold, with the general weather in this island being comfortable compared to the extreme temperature in the northern hemisphere.

Iguazu Falls is often called by people around the world as one of the most beautiful waterfalls on the planet. This beautiful site is found near the borders of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.

It is one of the places visited by millions because they want to experience the beauty of nature firsthand. If you want to see this beautiful creation you have to know when the best time to visit is.

Weather

The weather in Iguazu Falls is usually hot during the months of October through April. It is best to visit this place during the rainy season so that you can experience the full view of the waterfalls.

It would be wise to plan your travel during the months of January to March. This is the country’s rainy season which means that water flow is greatly increased which will give you an amazing view of the Iguazu Falls.

The temperature during these months is from 65-89 °F (19-32°C) which can give you a comfortable time during your stay.

When planning for a trip to Teotihuacan, it is important to the weather conditions you may encounter. This ancient city, located about 30 miles north east of Mexico city, is generally hotter than Mexico city, with temperature averages being between 59°F and 77°F (15° and 25°C). The evenings get cooler.

Rainy Season

The rainy season is May through September, with the peak season in July. There is no snow in that portion of the country; the last recorded snow in Mexico City was in 1967.

In general, travel to Mexico can be done at any time of the year, there being no harsh weather seasons, as well as the presence of mild temperatures throughout the different seasons.

All a visitor needs is to wear light clothes, sun screen, sunglasses and a hat. You also need to carry some drinking water to keep yourself hydrated. An alternative is to buy bottled water from the local vendors.

Cambodia is a country with a tropical monsoon climate, and that means there are two seasons, rainy season and dry season. So if you’re wondering about the weather at Angkor Wat, it will probably be raining at this ancient temple site on any given day from May through November, which is the monsoon season.

The dry months are November through April.

Monsoons

During the dry season, Angkor Wat weather tends to be not only warm, but downright hot. Expect highs between 80 and 90°F (27 and 32°C) on most days, and a lot of humidity.

Rainy, monsoon season days are cooler on average, but it never gets really cold in this region. The average daily temperature around Angkor Wat is about 77°F (25°C )during the day and around 70°F (21°C) at night.

Most people consider November through February the optimum weather months for visiting Angkor Wat.

During this time you can expect comfortably warm days, clear skies, no rain, a nice light breeze and the evenings comfortably cool for sleeping.

If you seek to enjoy a wonderful getaway from the long winter months of the Northern hemisphere, then you will love a visit to Victoria Falls. The hot summer season goes from September through April, followed by a mild winter season from May to August.

You can enjoy a good eight hours of sunshine on average, which is well enough for you to experience the exceptional beauty of this gorgeous falls in the heart of Zimbabwe, Africa.

Just the Right Weather

The average winter (May through Mid August) high temperature ranges between 77-81°F (25- 27 °C), with the lows being about 45-50 °F (7-10 °C) which is not bad for winter.

The summer weather (mid August to end of April) is generally hot, sometimes getting very hot and wet when the rain season comes in mid November through April. Temperatures range from 90-93 °F (32-34 °C) high, and with the lows between 59-66 °F (15-19 °C).

From September through to November, the weather is usually very hot and dry and the landscape turns brown. However, this is the best season for game viewing due to reduced vegetation, with the animals congregating along the Zambezi river for water.

Make sure to bring a hat, eyeglasses and sun screen cream to avoid those irritating sun burns.

Chichen Itza will transport you back to ancient times with the beautiful empire ruins of the ancient Mayans. Because of its historical value, a lot of people visit this ancient ruin all year long.

If you are planning to visit this historical site of the ancient Mayans, make sure that you look at the weather to help you plan your trip.

Best Time to Visit

This beautiful site is located in the Yucatan Peninsula and this area in Mexico is usually hot and humid during the months of June to August. The best time to visit is from the months of December to May. The weather in Chichen Itza during these months will bring you the best comfort when you are touring the site.

You won’t encounter sudden downpours which will give you more time to explore the ancient ruins. The average temperature in Chichen Itza is 79 °F (26°C) and goes up and down 5 degrees during the different seasons.

Since the country is humid, just make sure that you bring enough water to keep you hydrated during your stay.

Chichen Itza’s location is between Cancun and Merida, in the Yucatan State of Mexico. These ruins are midway between the two coastal cities.

It is 206 km from Cancun, and about 125 km from Merida. The journey from either city takes about 2 to 3 hours when moving through the toll highway.

Scenic Route

You can get to Chichen Itza by road, either using the main highway that runs between the resort city of Cancun and the Capital City of Merida, or through the “libre” route that runs through the villages in the area, giving a better feel of the culture around.

However, if you use the “Libre” route watch out for the many pedestrians and animals, on top of the many speed humps. However, stick to the main highway if travelling at night.

Travelling by bus from Cancun costs approximately 180 pesos, one way. There are a number of tour companies that organize trips to these ruins if you live outside Mexico.

Once on the site, you move around on foot, so make sure to have some good and sturdy shoes.

When you think of Paris, the first image that comes to mind is probably the Eiffel Tower. It is certainly a unique structure. Who built it? How was it built?

World’s Fair

In 1889 Paris hosted the World’s Fair as part of its celebration of the 100th anniversary of the French revolution. The Eiffel Tower was built as an entrance arch to the fair. The height of the spire made the fair’s location easy to find.

The tower was designed by Gustave Eiffel in response to a contest. He also supervised its construction, assisted by architect Stephen Sauvestre and engineers Émile Nouguier and Maurice Koechlin. The actual structural design was created by Maurice Koechlin. The whole structure weighs about 10,000 tons, two thirds of the weight being from the main component–pig iron. The unique open design left little place for construction workers to stand and greatly increased the risks to construction workers. However only one man died during construction, a remarkable feat for this type of structure.

Lifespan

The tower was originally supposed to be torn down after 20 years, and replaced with a more permanent building. However even though many Parisians originally hated it with a vehemence that was unmatched since their hatred for any other work of art until Stravinsky premiered Rite of Spring in 1913, it became such an integral part of the city’s identity that the plans were scrapped and it was allowed to stand.

The tower has always been popular with non-Parisians. Today it attracts millions of visitors each year and is the number one most visited building in the world requiring paid admission.

In 1980 the mayor of Montreal tried to have the tower temporarily moved there to promote the World’s Fair there. Although the French government allegedly agreed to the request, the tower operator stopped it, because of their doubts that they could obtain the permits necessary to restore it to its original location.

Alexandre Gustave Eiffel (December 15, 1832 to December 27, 1923) was born in Dijon, Cote-d’or, France. Though he has many engineering marvels to his credit, he is famous for the Eiffel Tower, which was built between 1887 and 1889, for the 1889 Universal Exposition in Paris.

School

Eiffel’s childhood heroes were his uncles Jean-Baptiste Mollerat and Michel Perret, both Chemists. They taught him a wide range of subjects from chemistry to religion. Though clever, he was not studious. He attended high school at Lycee Royal. He then attended Sainte Barbe College as a preparation to admission in the prestigious Ecole Centrale des Arts et Manufactures. He graduated with a Master’s Degree in Chemistry.

Professional Life

After graduation, he joined Charles Nepveu as a project manager to build a railway bridge. Soon Nepveu recognized his organizational and engineering talents and kept providing him other projects. As his reputation spread he was entrusted with constructing some landmark projects such as La Ruche, Garabit viaduct, the Central Railway station in Santiago de Chile and the Mona Island Lighthouse near Puerto Rico. He was embroiled in a scandal during the attempted building of the Panama Canal, but was later exonerated.

Statue of Liberty & the Eiffel Tower

He was commissioned to build the Eiffel Tower for the 1889 Universal Exposition in Paris. The steel framed structure was an engineering marvel which used front line technology and had many innovations. It quickly became a landmark and is one of the most visited places in Paris even today.

The Statue of Liberty was a gift from the people of France to the people of the USA. Eiffel designed the internal steel structural elements. It quickly became a source of pride for the Americans and stands out as a beacon of freedom around the world.

Eiffel died in 1923 at the age of 91. He left behind a rich legacy of engineering marvels, many of which are well known landmarks. He was an engineer par excellence.

The Eiffel Tower was constructed in 1889 and when it was first completed, it was the tallest building in the entire world. The tower itself is 300m (986 feet) tall, approximately the height of a 75 storied building. The Eiffel Tower remained the tallest building in the world until the construction of the Chrysler Building, New York, in 1930.

Second Tallest in France

At approximately 300m tall, the Eiffel Tower is the tallest structure in Paris and the second tallest structure in all of France. The structure that claims the title of tallest structure in the whole of France is the 350m (approximately 1148 feet) Allouis transmitter that was built in 1939.

As Paris’ tallest structure, it has required several modifications. The Eiffel Tower was originally built with 1,710 steps leading to the viewing platform near the top of the Eiffel tower, but it now only has 1665 steps after several renovations. Nowadays, it isn’t possible to reach the top of this tall structure using stairs. Once you reach the second platform, elevators must be used to reach the top observation deck.

Original Height

In the 1950s, the Eiffel Tower was modified to include a radio antenna that actually increased the height of the tower to 324m (1063 feet) tall. The antennae added several meters/feet in height to the structure of the Eiffel Tower.

Comparisons

The Eiffel tower was the first structure ever built to exceed 300m in height, although there are several more modern structures that have surpassed the Eiffel Tower in height. The Eiffel Tower held the record for highest observation deck until 1931, when the Empire State Building was finished.

Since then, the World Trade Center, CN Tower and the Shanghai World Financial Center have all had observation decks that surpass the Eiffel Tower.

With its romantic beauty and fantastic structure, the Eiffel Tower is considered to be one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world. The Eiffel Tower is in Paris, France.

Every year, millions of travelers experience and witness the magnificent structure of this famous landmark.

But if you haven’t gone to the Eiffel Tower yet, you probably may want to know its location.

Transport

There are many ways to get to the Eiffel Tower. One option is by using the metro lines, considered to be the fastest and easiest way to reach your destination. Depending on where you are coming from around the city of Paris, using the Metro is the best option to move around to and from the Eiffel Tower.

The Eiffel Tower is 19 km from Orly Airport from which you can opt to take a bus or metro line.

Metro lines 6 and 9 can take you to a particular station and from this station; a nice walk to the Eiffel Tower is a great idea since you will be able to experience a scenic view.

There is always the option hiring a limousine or renting a car to enable you to move around with flexibility and ease.

The construction of the Eiffel Tower started in 1887 and was completed in 1889. The Eiffel Tower was originally built as a temporary entrance to the World’s fair that was used to celebrate 100 years of the French Revolution. 3,000 people worked on the construction of the tower using 18,000 pieces of iron were used to complete the structure.

Gustave Eiffel

The Eiffel Tower was named after the person who designed it, Gustave Eiffel. Eiffel was criticized heavily for the design of the tower for many reasons. Some thought he was trying to create a structure that was too artistic and others believed he was suggesting a design that would not hold up against the wind.

However, Eiffel and his team of experienced bridge builders seemed to be well aware of the fact that wind resistance was of utmost importance. In interviews, he has been reported as saying that wind resistance was the part of the Eiffel tower construction design that he considered to be the most important.

What is it made of?

The Eiffel Tower was constructed with approximately 7,300 tonnes of pig iron and 2,700 tonnes of other components. The way that the Eiffel Tower was constructed was extremely economic; if the metal structure was melted down, it would only fill the 125 square meter base by 6cms. An interesting fact about the Eiffel Tower construction is that the summit of the tower can actually shift by up to 7 inches, due to thermal expansion.

Aesthetic Elements

The Eiffel Tower receives a new paint job every 7 years which protects the pig iron structure from the dangers of rust. To maintain the uniform appearance, three separate colors are used (darkest near the bottom, lightest near the top).

The Eiffel Tower construction had 4 arches added near the base of the structure to re-assure visitors that the Eiffel Tower was a safe structure. These arches added to the Eiffel Tower are also used as decorative structures that frame views of nearby architecture for tourists.

People ask, “What is the best way to get to Machu Picchu?” Located in Peru, this majestic mountain city of the Incas can be reached through a variety of ways. Your best choice travel method will depend on a few factors, including your desired level of comfort, the time you have for the trip, your budget, and your level of fitness.

Train

The most popular method of getting to these well preserved ruins is by train. A person travelling to the Machu Picchu ruins can use train service available from the nearby Cusco. Under normal circumstances, the train takes about four hours to move from Cusco to these ruins of Machu Picchu. This trip takes you through stunning scenery of the jungle, picturesque villages and rolling hills.

This option is the most ideal for anyone who feels that they are not physically fit, or do not have the time to hit the Inca trail by foot. An important note is that the train takes you only up to the Agua Caliente town, from where the Manchu Picchu ruins are only two kilometers away.

Bus or Taxi

The next method is to take either a bus or a taxi from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, a town that is mid-way between Cusco and Machu Picchu. From here, you can now take a shorter train trip to get to the ruins of Machu Picchu. Most people prefer this option due to its added value. You get to enjoy more time in the Sacred valley. More so, there are plenty of impressive ruins to be found in this town of Ollantaytambo. You can also spend the night in this town and proceed to the ruins of Manchu Picchu in the morning.

Hiking

For the physically fit, who also love the outdoors, walking along the Inca Trail is an awesome experience. The trail is a 28 mile hike that goes through forests, valleys, villages and mountains. It is a perfect way to get the feel of the local culture. When you choose this option, make sure you have quite some time on your side. The hike takes about 4 days, but is a memory to behold. You also need to make your booking for this hike well in advance. If you want to combine the hike with a visit to Cusco and Machu Picchu, you can take a Sacred Valley tour that usually goes for a week.

From Above

The other option you can use to get to this city in the jungle is by helicopter. Helicopter service is not a common option, and is one that has had its fair share of tussles. In the recent past, the Peruvian government had suspended this service, but recently re-approved it. There are a few companies that offer this air travel service.

For instance, Heli-Cusco operates a 16 passenger helicopter service. This is from Cusco to the town of Aguas Calientes. Besides being a very expensive option, you also do not get to enjoy the scenery like with the other options above. These are some of the ways on how to see Manchu Picchu.

Machu Picchu is truly one of the wonders of the world. This breathtaking and historically important sight sits 7970 ft above sea level and is only accessible after a trek which usually takes two to four days. This trek is known as the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Journey by Foot

The length of the journey, which can only be taken on foot, adds to the magic and mystique of Machu Picchu, anyone who has made the journey along the Inca Trail will testify to the fact that the anticipation is increase massively and when you reach the summit you feel a real sense of achievement.

Many famous world heritage sites and wonders of the world are breathtaking to look at but few rival Machu Picchu as an overall experience. The Inca Trail is every bit as special and the wonder at the summit. The panoramic views and relaxing silence are still as profound and powerful today as they were over 600 years ago when the site was first built as an estate for Incan Emperor Pachucuti

Inti Punku (The Gate of the Sun)

The Inca Trail finishes with a final descent from Inti Punku which means, when translated, to Sun Gate. The site is given its name because at a certain time of day the sun will shine thru the sun gate onto the ancient ruins. This is a magical and breathtaking site and was very important and profound for the Incan people. It is worth the extra effort to try and time a trip to coincide with this moment.

Limited Access to the Trail

The popularity of the Inca Trail has caused a problem for the Peruvian government; the constant foot traffic was causing damage to the site and threatening it for the future. This has cause a limit to be placed on the number of people who are allowed to use the trail per day and sharp controls to be placed on the companies who are allowed to offer tours.

Advanced booking is mandatory for tourists and the available five hundred places per day fill up rapidly, well in advance, especially in the peak months. In a similar way to the length of the journey this exclusivity has had the effect of adding to the popularity and desirability of the overall experience.

The Trail as an Attraction

The Inca Trail is the gateway to Machu Picchu and the ancient ruins at the summit would not be nearly as special without the journey it takes to get there. In fact the beauty of the trail, with its history and panoramic views is enough to make it a major tourist attraction in itself. In the same way that people will chose to hike in the Himalayas or climb Kilimanjaro, the Incan Trail would be a worthwhile and rewarding journey even if the ancient ruins where not located at the end of the trek. The fact that the reward for the climb is not just a sense of achievement by also the chance to see a very special and historic World Heritage site makes the trail all the more wonderful.

Hiram Bingham III (1875-1956) was, among other things, the explorer who rediscovered Machu Picchu. He possessed an inherited sense of adventure, attributed to his missionary parents, who lived in Hawaii at the time of Hiram’s birth. His interest in South America is thought to have begun while he was studying at Harvard, Yale and the University of California where he was awarded a PhD in South American history.

At the age of twenty five, he married an heiress, Alfreda Mitchell whose family was best known for the Tiffany brand. The marriage laid the foundation for his later exploratory activities.

South American Exploration

His years of studying South American history and subsequent doctorate in the subject, ignited Hiram’s already well developed sense of adventure and he was well aware of the various myths and legends regarding relating to the South American ancient civilizations. He had access to the necessary funds to support his dream of undertaking exploration in his area of expertise and so, six years after his marriage, and substantial amounts of planning and organizing, he set off on his first expedition to South America.

This first trip in 1906 was an attempt to retrace the steps of an earlier explorer, Simon Bolivar, who in 1819, travelled overland from Venezuela to Colombia. Hiram relished this first trip and his passion for South America was further fuelled by the experience and set the scene for further trips. His next trip to South America was in 1908 when he crossed the Andes Mountains, from Buenos Aires to Lima in Peru, by following an early Spanish trade route. This trip was the precursor to his most famous exploration. He was thirty one years old at this time and before he was forty, Hiram made his most famous discovery.

Machu Picchu

Hiram Bingham, together with his guide, proceeded to discover the ruins of Machu Picchu on July 24th, 1911. This expedition was known as the Yale Peruvian Expedition and Hiram was its leader. His objective was to find Vilcabamba, which was known from many stories, as the lost city of the Incas. This was a herculean task and also very dangerous. He had few clues to work from and determining its location must at times have seemed an impossible task. His adventurous determination won through though and his quest was successfully achieved.

The Yale and the National Geographic Society requested his return to Machu Picchu in 1912 and he proceeded to spend the following three years excavating the ruins. Unfortunately, he also removed a great quantity of artifacts and mummies, which the Peruvian government would like to be returned. Hiram also documented his findings through many articles and his book, ‘The Lost City of the Incas‘.

After his South American exploration, Bingham became a politician, initially in Connecticut and then in the US Senate. He died in 1956 at the age of eighty one and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. He is remembered primarily for rediscovering Machu Picchu.

Interior of an Inca building, featuring trapezoidal windows
Photo by: Martin St-Amant, Creative Commons

Machu Picchu is an ancient Inca citadel found in the Urubamba valley in Peru. It was discovered a hundreds years ago, but the function of this pre-Columbian structure is still unknown. According to archaeologists, it was the residential palace of Inca Emperor, Pachucuti. The word Machu Picchu means “Old Mountain”. It is the older of the two mountains that is situated above the Urubamba Valley.

The other mountain is Huayna Picchu, which means “Young Mountain”. Machu Picchu was discovered by American Historian, Hiram Bingham. Machu Picchu is believed to be a religious site. Its architecture is one of the most renowned creations of the world.

Style

Machu Picchu is located on a mountain ridge of the Andean mountain, more than 8,000 ft above the sea level. The architectural style used in the construction of Machu Picchu is derived from Incan culture. Stone blocks and other building material from all around the area were used in constructing this beautiful site. Different shapes of polished dry stone walls that are precisely cut are used in the construction.

Ashlars Technique

Incans used their famous technique of construction called Ashlars technique, in which the blocks of stone are cut precisely so as to fit them together tightly without using mortar. During the Inca civilization, the wheel was not used to move the large granite blocks. It is believed that hundreds of men were used to push the stones.

Rooms, Terraces & Temples

This complex structure has more than 200 separate buildings, which is said to have been used for religious purposes. Ceremonial altars were built on the surrounding hills. This famous citadel is divided in to two different areas. One is the agricultural sector that consists of open spaces and terraces and in which different crops like maize and potatoes were planted. Another one is the urban sector that featured streets and residences, which can accommodated 1200 people.

The agricultural sector was built by transforming the slope of the mountain into stepped surface with flat terraces. A perimeter wall separates the urban sector from the agricultural area. A double stone doorway is the entryway to the urban sector. It also connects to the road of Cusco. There are 172 rooms made in different shapes and sizes and can be accessed using 109 stairways. The Temple of the Sun, a Mausoleum, the Sacred Rock, the Main Temple, the Street of the Fountains and the Intiguanata are some of the astonishing buildings of the structure.

Windows & More

Most of the buildings are one storey and the construction are mostly rectangular in shape with trapezoidal windows and doors. Rounded corners with L shaped blocks used to tie the outside corners are one of the subtle design technique used by Incans. This strong architectural beauty of Peru has endured many earthquakes and still remains standing, which demonstrates the strength of Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu is one of the most extraordinary and enigmatic sites in the world. It is a beautiful example of combining natural beauty with the Incan city, which consists of a rich diversity of flora and fauna found in the Upper Amazon basin.

When traveling, it is important to learn about the weather conditions of your destination so that you are prepared for your journey. Machu Picchu weather in Peru is determined mainly by the time of year you go. In Machu Picchu, there is the rainy season, which is from October to April. Then the dry season, from May to September each year.

Nice Weather

Machu Picchu weather can actually get hot due to its exposed location. In the dry season the temperatures during the day average around 80 degrees Fahrenheit (mid 30 Celsius). The nights are usually mild averaging around 50 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 12 Celsius), but can sometimes drop lower. The majority of visitors prefer the Machu Picchu weather during the dry season winter months of the year, rather than the wet rainy season.

During the rainy season the majority of rainfall comes in the beginning of the year, in January and February. Even during these periods though, it is normal to have beautiful clear mornings and then see the rain falling in the afternoons. Machu Picchu weather really does not have to limit your vacation options. Even though the majority of tourists visit in June to August, the mild climate in Peru really invites travelers all year round.

The historic city of Machu Picchu is located in the Cusco Region of modern day Peru. It sits atop a mountain overlooking the Urubamba Valley, which is situated 50 miles northwest of the city of the Cusco proper.

The river which flows through the valley hems Machu Picchu in on three sides, making a natural break in the landscape.

This location was chosen deliberately, as the city was a military secret, and it was built in such a way as to make it easily defensible.

Sitting a full 8,040 feet above sea level, the sheer cliffs which surround it provided excellent fortification.

Between Two Summits

Machu Picchu rests between the two summits of Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu. It looks down into valleys on either side, and to its rear sits a peak which is nearly impossible to climb.

Again, archeologists believe this orientation was specifically chosen, to offer the maximum level of defense.

Taj Mahal stands majestically on the banks of the river Yamuna in Agra, North India. Like most of North India, Agra experiences extreme climate.

The winters can be biting cold with temperatures dropping to 37°F (3°C) and in summer the temperature can shoot to 116°F (47°C). Agra also witnesses severe dust storms in their summers.

Hot & Cold

Mild winters begin as early as mid October and last up to March. December and January are the coldest months. The average temperature in winter can fluctuate between 37°F (3°C) to 72°F (22°C).

Summers in Agra are long and last from April to July.

May and June are the hottest months. In summer, the average temperature is 86°F (30°C) to 115°F (46°C). Dust storms are common during this period and they can cool the city considerably.

Monsoon generally hits Agra sometime in July.

Travelers can plan their trip to Agra based on the weather conditions mentioned above. However, Taj Mahal is said to look beautiful during the full moon night in October and tourists usually flock to Agra to see the Taj under the moonlight.