Machu Picchu, July 7, 2019. - In celebration of the 12th anniversary of the announcement of the 7 new wonders of the world, Machu Picchu Municipality has declared the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu as the first sustainable wonder.
The announcement was made possible thanks to the NGO Inkaterra Asociación, which, in a strategic alliance with the multinational beverage company AJE Group and the municipality of Machu Picchu, created an effective solution to manage Machu Picchu as the first city in Peru and Latin America. Most of its solid waste has become a model of sustainability, responsibly, for the benefit of its cultural and natural heritage.
"Our Wonder of the World is
considered a sustainable destination today and has become an example of the
management of global ecotourism, not just for Latin America," said Machu Picchu Mayor Dr. Darwin Baka announces
'Machu Picchu' initiative. : First Sustainable Wonder '.
The 'Machu Picchu: First Sustainable
Wonder' campaign was launched in 2016 when UNESCO assessed the inclusion of
Inca Castle in the list of endangered World Heritage Sites. Machu Picchu is
located in a small and deep valley whose only entrance is on foot or by train.
Waste management has become a serious problem due to increasing tourist demand,
limited transportation, and lack of space for making traditional compost.
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As a result, in 2017, the first initiative
of 'Machu Picchu: First Sustainable Wonder' was awarded to a municipality with
a plastic compacting machine to process seven tons of garbage per day.
This year, Inkaterra and AJE Group have
provided SERNANP with another plastic waste compactor plant to be cleaned and
recycled on the Inca Trail, South America's most famous trekking route. The
cooking oil conversion plant to biodiesel and organic glycerin was inaugurated
in 2018 at the Incatera Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel facility.
The municipality collects used vegetable
oil from Machu Picchu homes, hotels, and restaurants to produce 20 gallons of
biodiesel per day. Six thousand liters of used oil are treated monthly,
preventing them from being dumped into the Vilcanota River.
"According to research, one liter
of burnt oil contaminates thousands of liters of water. For this reason, the
alliance between Machu Picchu Municipality, AJE Group, and Inkaterra promote the donation of cooking oil used in Machu Picchu homes, hotels, and
restaurants. Local production of biodiesel reduces the amount of carbon
footprint due to the use of fossil fuels and the transportation of fuel from
Lima to Machu Picchu, a distance of about 1,150 kilometers, " said George Lopez-Doriga, AJE Group's Director
of Communications and Sustainability.
On the other hand, the organic glycerin
obtained from this biodiesel production process - free from petrochemicals - is
used by Machu Picchu Municipality to clean the pavements and stone floors of
Machu Picchu.
In April 2019, the first organic waste
treatment plant was inaugurated, thanks to an alliance between the Inkatera
Association, AJE Group, and Machu Picchu Municipality.
This innovative technology in charge of
Grupo Element can process through pyrolysis - chemical decomposition at high
temperatures in the absence of oxygen - to produce eight tons of waste
bio-carbon per day, which will help natural fertilizers. Reforestation of the
Andean Cloud Forest, which will contribute to the agricultural production of
the ancestral population at the height of Machu Picchu District.
Thus, the pyrolysis plant is a
non-polluting and sustainable process for the treatment of organic waste.
Similarly, it is beneficial for municipalities and local populations, as it
saves on fertilizer transportation costs, where the cost of production on-site
is lower than the market value of bio-carbon.
"The Machu Picchu: First
Sustainable Wonder" initiative has been able to raise environmental
awareness in our community, which today separates most of the waste from homes
and installations at its place of origin, " announced
Jose Koechlin, president and founder of Inkster.
In 2018, the design to turn the megacity of
Machu Picchu into a model of global sustainability was awarded the prestigious
Die Golden Palme Award in the" Responsible Tourism" order in Germany,
as well as the Leaders +1 Award.
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Why is knowing Machu Picchu the dream of many?
Visiting Machu Picchu in Cusco-Peru has become the dream of many.
The classic postcard photo of the Wonder of the World with the Huayna Picchu mountain at the top invites people to know it
firsthand. Why does this happen? The opinions of thousands of tourists from all
over the world agree that it is worth visiting. What's more, some say they
would return. Learn why the Inca
Citadel has become a
dream for travelers from everywhere.
The wonder of the World
In 2007 Machu Picchu was chosen as one of the 7 wonders of the
modern world. This
important award placed it as one of the most visited places by tourists on the
entire planet. In 2017, it was
chosen as the best tourist attraction in the world by the World Travel Awards. Thus, year after year, the Inca Citadel is an
obligatory destination for travelers. It is one of the things that every person
must do before dying.
Currently, the Inca data receive
around one million visitors a year. The classic image with Machu Picchu in the background is one of the most popular photos on Instagram
and Facebook. The celebrity of Wonder of the World makes it the dream of many.
Today, more and more people visit its stone constructions fascinated by its
fame.
The energy that Machu Picchu
radiates
However, Machu Picchu is not visited solely
for its fame but for the energy that it radiates. Although it sounds strange,
many visitors agree that they feel a special vibration when stepping on the Inca data. There are specific places where you can feel this
force. One of them is the Intihuatana, a sundial carved in stone that when
bringing their hands over it, people feel a special energy.
Another place that radiates energy is the Sacred Rock of Machu Picchu located near the Sacred Square. Although it is
not allowed to touch it, many people say they feel a vibration when approaching
it. What is this about? It is believed that it comes from the 'Pachamama' or mother earth. In addition, it is thought that the geodesic line
that crosses the place is one of the causes of the energy that is felt.
The scenic beauty of the place
Machu Picchu is located in the eastern part
of the Andes Mountains. In that part of Peru, the vegetation is abundant.
Around the Inca Citadel rise imposing mountains such as Putucusi or Huayna Picchu. Below is the Vilcanota River. The cloudiness
presented by the sunrises was called "City in the Clouds". The scenic beauty makes it a special place for
visitors. One of the dreams of many.
Many tourists return to the Inca Citadel to
disconnect for a moment from the routine. The uniqueness of the landscape must
have been the main cause of building the Inca Citadel in such an inaccessible
place. From the top, you can better see Wonder of the World. Climbing to Machu Picchu
Mountain or Huayna Picchu offers
the best views, without a doubt.
Machu Picchu is considered the dream of
many due to the majesty of the landscape, its history, the energy that it
radiates, and the many adventures it offers. Knowing the Wonder of the World is
easy. You just have to reserve an entrance ticket in advance.
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The history
Around 1450, Machu Picchu was built by the Inca Pachacutec to be his resting place and that of his
family. After the conquest of the Spanish, the inaccessibility of the enclosure
caused its gradual abandonment. Over time, the Inca City was filled with
vegetation. In 1911 with the help of the locals of the place, who knew of the
existence of the Inca site, Hiram Bingham rediscovered Machu Picchu and presented it to the world. Since then the
Inca data reopened its eyes and receives visitors from
all over the world.
Currently, the mystery of its constructions
and the richness of its history is one of the reasons why many tourists visit
Machu Picchu. How did the Incas without knowing the wheel or modern Western
techniques so perfectly build a city made of stones weighing hundreds of kilos?
Although there are many theories, the truth about Wonder of the World is not yet known
for sure.
The adventure (Inca Trail and other treks)
Machu Picchu is not only a stone city. It
also represents many adventures for young people and people with young souls.
One of the most spectacular is the Inca Trail. This 4-day trekking route covers fabled landscapes
until reaching the Inca Citadel through Puerta del Sol. It is considered one of the 5 hiking trails in the
world.
If 4 days of walking are too much, there
are still other adventure alternatives in Machu Picchu. One of the most
important is the ascent up the Huayna Picchu mountain. The 'Young Mountain' rises almost 300 meters above
the Inca City. Climbing its steep roads is an adventure because those are very
close to precipitous cliffs. Reaching the top is a unique experience due to the
beauty of the landscape. It is considered one of the most incredible short walks in the world.
But Machu Picchu is much more! Many other
hiking trails lead to the Inca Citadel. Among the most important are the Salkantay trek
(5 days), the extreme sports route known as the Inca Jungle (4 days), the Lares trek (4 days), and many
others. In addition, the Wonder of the World is close to incredible tourist
destinations such as Cusco and the Sacred Valley. A dream come true for many adventurers.
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