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Agua Caliente
Matchu Pitchu,Machu Picchu or Pichu Pichu?
It's one of the most famous archaeological sites in the World. If you're going to Peru for vacation, you're probably visiting. You've seen the photos, but how do you spell it?
Machu Picchu - not the only Picchu
If you want to get the spelling right, it probably helps to know what it means! According to the local Quechua language "Machu" means "old" and "Picchu" means "peak". Visitors to the impressive site based in cloud forest will be surrounded by numerous "picchus", including Huayna Picchu, ("young peak") and Huchuypicchu ("small peak").
Huayna Picchu is available once you arrive at the main site of Machu Picchu. The route to the summit overlooking the main site is impressive but access is via a very steep climb and those with health concerns or a fear of heights are generally not advised to attempt it. Due to concerns of wear and tear on the access route, only 400 visitors a day are permitted entry. The only way you can be one of the 400 is to sign up for entry on arrival, thats why it can be worth staying that extra night near Machu Picchu.
Access to any other Picchus are harder, and visitors will have to talk to a local expert to arrange trips to the surrounding peaks. The vast majority of agencies only offer trips to Machu Picchu (which is enough for most people!)
Machu Pikchu
If you make it to Cusco, the nearest town to Machu Picchu, you'll hear the locals referring to the site as "Machu Pikchu". In the Quechua language, spoken in the mountain regions of Peru, this is the true pronunciation for the site, even though the Spanish interpretation is recognized as the most popular.
Machu Picchu Pueblo
Another version to complicate matters! This settlement, the nearest to Machu Picchu, has developed from scratch in the last few decades solely with the purpose of serving tourists wanting to visit Machu Picchu. Also known as Aguas Calientes (because of the thermal baths filled by local natural springs) this should not be confused with Machu Picchu itself.
Pichu Pichu And finally, there's another Pichu!.
The volcanic mountain of Pichu Pichu is based 32 kilometres outside the south Peruvian city of Arequipa. At 5664m in altitude, visitors will have a good chance of touching snow, but they won't to see any world famous Inca ruins there.
Have you encountered any other strange spellings of Machu Picchu? What about other sites with a similar name?
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Como Agua Caliente - Fabian Corrales