Hiram Bingham finds out Machu Picchu, one of the significant archaeological discoveries in American history.
Hiram Bingham was born on November 19, 1875, in Hawaii. Both his father and grandfather were Protestant missionaries in the Pacific Islands. As indicated by Minnesota State University, Bingham spent his youth in Hawaii, but studied at the American Northeast, receiving his undergraduate degree from Yale in 1898 and his doctorate in history and politics at Harvard in 1905. In 1906, he began to explore ancient Spanish trade routes in South America, and in 1911 would be one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century.
Discovery
On July 24, 1911, the explorer and Yale professor Hiram Bingham walked through the mountains of the Andes in search of the city of Vitcos, the last capital of the Incas. Bingham paid a local man in order to bring it to the ruins near the city of Cuzco. What he discovered was not Vitcos; he was surprise discovering the lost city of Machu Picchu.
In continuous expeditions, Bingham could discover the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and the citadels of Pampa and Vitcos and other smaller settlements. With the reputation gained in his country he surrenders body and soul to the investigation of the Inca Empire and covers every corner of the Cordillera de Vilcabamba.
Although the Incas had their way up to the mountains, Bingham opened a new one from the town of Aguas Calientes after the railway station of Puente Ruinas. Upon arrival they found two families living in the remains of ancient buildings and a child led him to pass which connect the Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu, the two dominant heights. There, hidden by vegetation, expecting one of the greatest archeological finds in history: a forgotten city-sanctuary, full of temples, canals, baths, agricultural terraces and other occupying a total of 13 square kilometers and the U.S. identified Tampu Tocco initially with the mythological cave three windows from which came the ancestors of the Incas.
Certainly since Bingham announced his discovery, Machu Picchu has fascinated people around the world. Each year thousands of tourists climb the Andes to explore the magnificent structure which was built 500 years with shaped granite blocks from the mountains themselves. As a testament to the greatness of the city, Machu Picchu was named one of the 7 Wonders of the World in 2007.
Hiram Bingham train
There is also the most luxury train that transports you, to the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu; the Hiram Bingham train named in honor to the American explorer; which offers you an unforgettable journey with the best services.
The train departs from Cusco to start an amazing journey through a path surrounded by beautiful scenery while passengers enjoy a breakfast. After the surge in Cusco, the train descends into the Sacred Valley, passing lush fields and colorful villages in the foothills of the Andes.
From there, the trip is highlighted by stunning views of the mountains and the beautiful Urubamba River running through the Sacred Valley. On arrival at the town of Aguas Calientes that is below of Machu Picchu, guests are taken by bus to Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge for lunch. A private guided tour to the Citadel before returning in the afternoon at the train station. Dinner is served on the train after about 3 1/2 hours away.
The train departs from Poroy in the morning, taking a road trip in changing landscapes. Then passes through extensive areas of terracing dotted with the ruins of Inca fortresses. Bisecting this are still visible, of an ancient citadel and a long-abandoned highway, which was approved by the carriers in the nineteenth century, which was used to travel between Cuzco and the rubber plantations in the lowlands of the Amazon.
In others words a spectacular journey that will let you to discover by yourself the most magnificent Inca Citadel of the world.
