The imposing sacred temple of the Incas has been visited by millions of tourists from all over the world, but unfortunately not everyone understands the importance of the sanctuary.
The moment I walked round the final turn and could see the ruins of Machu Picchu in the distance for the first time, I was breathless with the majesty. The historical sanctuary can only be accessed by foot from the entrance, about 10 minutes that serve as a prelude and prepare to have the perfect moment of amazement.
I think my whole group was enraptured at that moment, though it’s hard to notice when you can’t take your eyes off the impressive construction of the Incas to see their faces. The guide did know, he told us to prepare ourselves and he was silent for a few seconds before we arrived at the area, which can very well be called the ‘wow point’, that place that must have the greatest amount of expressions of amazement in the world.
It is difficult to understand how anyone could exceed the limits to the point of damaging a World Heritage Site and one of the new seven wonders of the modern world. In January 2020, six tourists were arrested for trespassing at night, walking in places restricted to the public and allegedly damaging a wall and defecating in one of the enclosures.
Sometimes, tourists simply don’t know how to behave. Every place has its rules and it can be difficult to adhere to them and try not to disrespect the culture and customs, but I believe defecation and breaking a 500-year-old construction is a boundary that many know should never be crossed.
The six tourists who were arrested were from Brazil, Argentina, France and Chile and allege that they did not defecate at the site, even though human feces were found close to their location. They also claim that the damage to the property was accidental, only admitting forced and illegal entry to the Inca citadel during forbidden schedules.
A few hours after the arrest, the authorities decided to deport five of the intruders and to bring one of them on trial before the Peruvian courts for the damage caused, since the tourist of Argentine origin was allegedly responsible for the stone fall, which on impact resulted in the sinking of the soil.
Accidental damage is common in many tourist locations with unstable pieces or in risky positions. But the fall of a rock from one of the walls of the ‘Temple of the Sun’ may not be considered accidental, because we are talking about a structure that has resisted the passage of time and the harshness of nature and yet stands as if it was new.
The Peruvians are very proud of their heritage, it is not for less, in the period of the Incas a great quantity of temples, citadels and buildings were constructed that put on test all logic of the engineering. Tourists can observe the attention and vigilance in each location, both in Machu Picchu and throughout Cusco. For several places it is necessary to hire a guide service to enjoy it properly and to gain an entry permit.
The jewel of architecture is one of the most significant examples of how ancient civilizations lived. Moreover, being located on a mountain you feel a unique energy. When I took the tour in the sacred temple, I enjoyed all the stories the guide had to tell, while we admired the precise way the Incas fitted each stone and designed the planting and water systems.
When the guide’s schedule ended, I went back to visit certain places again that had attracted my attention. I also took many photographs to remember the experience, but at one point of the day I only needed to stay quiet. I found a high area near the entrance and admired the panorama for a few long minutes: the ancestral citadel, the imposing mountains around it and the clouds that covered a part of the landscape at times and then when they cleared, they provided a new sensation of wonder.
Nothing else is needed. To prove that you visited Machu Picchu you don’t need thousands of selfies, to break into restricted places or to demonstrate the strength of the construction. The renewed energy and joy will definitely speak to you. But to achieve this you have to take a step back, take your thoughts away from the fast-paced world in which we live and recognize the magnificence of the whole picture.
Machu Picchu receives more than a million tourists a year who are attracted by its beauty, mystery and grandiosity, so the controls in place are more rigorous in order to preserve in time. Also, to arrive at the place is not easy, the nearest town with road is Ollantaytambo and then the tourists must take the train, others take tours that involve walking for several days, but because of the height of the region this is not a suitable alternative for all people because of the lack of oxygen.
The increase in tourism to the temple is causing concern among the population and experts, and the authorities are already taking precautions by limiting the number of visitors per day. A stronger restriction could impede access by many who are interested in admiring the sacred building.
Misconduct at Machu Picchu is not reduced to this incident; other tourists have been arrested or expelled from the sanctuary in the past. In recent years, the selfie trend has prompted several visitors to pose naked in the ruins, and their exhibitionist behavior resulted in expulsion.
In 2014, a train driver kicked a tourist who was taking a selfie very close to the tracks and, having his earphones on, he didn’t hear the sound of a train approaching. Despite the recklessness, the young Canadian said he had the best video of his life. He was interviewed by the media about the incident and received millions of views for the video, making him one of the newest viral celebrities.
The mentality of many tourists has changed in recent years with the use of social networks. The need for exposure and likes, have caused some people to take risks for certain photographs, many of which cannot even see the place where they are, because the image only shows the person’s face.
Photographs are an important part of a trip, not taking any photo is like not visiting the site, but what’s wrong with enjoying your travels and forgetting about the modern world for a moment? Nowadays, people live more for the approval of friends and strangers and this can lead to making unwise decisions.
News about tourists’ non-compliance with laws is increasingly seen in the media. The excitement can make us react incorrectly, but in many cases the decisions are based on following a trend, a virtual challenge or wanting to do what few dare, without realizing that in reality just visiting a place like Machu Picchu is already a privilege that not everyone who dreams of being there can achieve.
Image credit: Pedro Szekely