The Machu Picchu Guidebook: A Self-Guided Tour: Revised Edition by Ruth M. Wright, Alfredo Valencia Zegarra, Alfredo V. Zegarra

From the Publisher

Machu Picchu is one of the world's great travel destinations. Built in the mid-fifteenth century by Incan royalty and "re-discovered" by Hiram Bingham in 1911, this awe-inspiring site in the Andes of Peru is the stuff of legends. The Machu Picchu Guidebook has proven to be one of the most successful and acclaimed guidebooks to the popular archaeological treasure. In this comprehensive traveler's guide, the authors offer an almost step-by-step tour of the world-renowned Inca city, keyed to a detailed, full-color foldout map. This fully-updated and revised edition features a new artist's rendition of Machu Picchu, presented as a three-page foldout in glorious color. The painting, which first appeared as a supplement to National Geographic magazine, brings Machu Picchu to life by depicting the royal retreat as it appeared on the June 21st solstice ceremony in the year 1530, at the height of the Inca empire. Further additions include a much-expanded chapter on the holy mountain of Huayna Picchu and an all-new chapter on the birds of Machu Picchu, which includes such species as the Inca wren, found only at this site. Whether you have three hours or three days to spend at Machu Picchu, this book is the one indispensable guide. No traveler should be without it.

Library Journal

Machu Picchu is one of the most stunning archaeological sites on Earth. Located in the heart of the Andes in Peru, this five-centuries-old Incan relic attracts some 300,000 tourists yearly. Yet the significance of the site itself is difficult to unravel without a lot of personal knowledge or a comprehensive guidebook. Wright, who has studied the site for 25 years and has worked at Machu Picchu since 1994, and Zegarra (anthropology and archaeology, Univ. of Cuzco) have teamed up to produce a handy book for visitors who wish to guide themselves at their own pace through the site. A bound-in, fold-out color archaeological map of Machu Picchu keyed to the book's chapters and an array of black-and-white as well as color photographs will help users find and navigate the site easily and not depend on fractured live tour guide information. After reading this book, you will want to hop on the next flight to Peru. If you are unlucky enough never to visit Machu Picchu, the guide will serve as an excellent virtual tour. Recommended for general travel collections. Olga B. Wise, Compaq Computer Corp., Austin, TX Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Booknews

This guide presents sensible advice, clear directions, and an in- depth, knowledgeable tour through this incredible site. Wright has spent many years studying Machu Picchu with her husband (their affiliations are not given); Zegarra teaches archaeology and anthropology at the U. of Cusco in Peru. The guide is copiously illustrated with b&w photos and includes a fold out archaeological map. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Internet Book Watch

Built in the mid-fifteenth century by Inca royalty and found by Hiram Bingham in 1911, Machu Picchu has become one of South America's premier travel destinations, experienced by more than 300,000 tourists every year. Ruth Wright and her husband Ken Wright of Wright Water Engineers were granted a permit in 1994 from the Instituto Nacional de Cultura de Peru to study this famous site and teamed up with resident Machu Picchu archaeologist Alfredo Valencia Zegarra to create the most authoritative, detailed, and up-to-date guide currently available to the general public. The Machu Picchu Guidebook is specifically designed to be used as a do-it-yourself tour book enhanced with a full-color fold-out map and 150 illustrations. Whether as an armchair traveler with an interest in Incan culture and artifacts, or an on-site visitor seeking to explore the marvelous wonder of this ancient Incan city, The Machu Picchu Guidebook is a rewarding, "reader friendly" guide to this grandly designed archaeological treasure.

Product Details

• Table of Contents

Table of Contents