Machu Picchu, Peru

 
After their visit to Cusco (see Cusco, Peru) and before they went to Lima (see Lima, Peru), Ernesto “Che” Guevara and Alberto Granada made a trip to Machu Picchu on 5 April 1952. This day was depicted in the film THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES (original title Diarios de Motocicleta), based on the diaries of Che Guevara.

Machu Picchu, 30 June 2018

In the early 1950s Machu Picchu, located at 7,217 feet (2200 meters) in the Andean Mountains, was not the tourist attraction it is today. During the Spanish Conquests of the Inca Empire in the first half of the sixteenth century the old Inca city had not been discovered. Contrary to many other Inca buildings, Machu Picchu was not destructed. It was not until 1911 that the American explorer Hiram Bingham accidentally ‘discovered’ the citadel.

In the film Ernesto Guevara (Gael García Bernal) and Alberto Granada (Rodrigo de la Serna) are by themselves, nowadays more than one and a half million people visit Machu Picchu each year. Most visitors arrive with a shuttle bus from the tourist town of Aguas Caliente, a journey with 13 hairpin bends. In the film, the way up is made on foot via the Inca trail, a walking path paved by the Incas.

The Motorcycle Diaries, 1:04:53

Inca trail, Machu Picchu, 30 June 2018

When you visit Machu Picchu by walking the Inca trail, you will see the famous view of the city upon arrival. This scene was not rehearsed to capture the spontaneous reaction of the actors who encounter the monument for the first time. In the background the Huayna Picchu ('Young mountain top') can be seen. For an experienced walker it is possible to walk up to the top in about one hour.

The Motorcycle Diaries, 1:05:01

Machu Picchu, 30 June 2018

The Motorcycle Diaries, 1:05:15

Main entrance, Machu Picchu, 30 June 2018

The Motorcycle Diaries, 1:05:27

Intihuatana, Machu Picchu, 30 June 2018

The Motorcycle Diaries, 1:06:38

Machu Picchu, 30 June 2018

The Motorcycle Diaries, 1:06:43

Machu Picchu, 30 June 2018

The Motorcycle Diaries, 1:06:46

Machu Picchu, 30 June 2018

Che Guevara and Albert Granada took a photo camera with them during their trip. In this scene, Guevara poses in a doorway while being photographed by Granada. This section of Machu Picchu is known as the Royal Sector.

The Motorcycle Diaries, 1:05:31

Machu Picchu, 30 June 2018

The Motorcycle Diaries, 1:05:35

Machu Picchu, 30 June 2018

The Motorcycle Diaries, 1:05:38

Machu Picchu, 30 June 2018

Ollantaytambo, 29 June 2018

The above scene was based on a photo of Guevara made by Granada in Ollantaytambo, located in the Sacred Valley. The Inca buildings in this town are less known than Machu Picchu but are certainly worth a visit. From Ollantaytambo the train leaves for Aguas Caliente, during our stay in the afternoon so we could visit these ruins in the morning. The terraces are built against a mountain slope. The climb up can be difficult, also due to the thin air.

When you walk upstairs following the path, you will pass the entrance where Che Guevara stood in 1952.


Che Guevara in Ollantaytambo, 1952

Ollantaytambo, 29 June 2018

Screenshots © Focus Features/FilmFour
 

Machu Picchu, Peru

 
The second episode of season 20 of the animated series THE SIMPSONS, "Lost Verizon", is partly set in Machu Picchu, Peru. It was first broadcasted in the United States on October 5, 2008.
 

The Simpsons, season 20, episode 2, 0:17:46

Bart has found a cell phone that his mother allows him to keep. His sister Lisa tells him that she can keep an eye on him as long as the GPS tracker is activated. Bart removes the chip from the telephone and ties it to the leg of a bird that migrates to South America. The other family members think that Bart has run away and follow the GPS tracker. Lisa knows what Bart has done but says nothing because it has been her long life dream to visit Machu Picchu. The Simpsons travel on the back of a llama but in reality these animals are not able to carry people.

Although Machu Picchu is easily recognized - its name is shown when the Simpsons arrive - the animators took some liberties in portraying the Inca City. The mountain top on the right is much higher in reality and there is no statue of an Inca god.

The Simpsons, season 20, episode 2, 0:17:57

Machu Picchu, 30 June 2018

The Simpsons, season 20, episode 2, 0:18:00

Machu Picchu, 30 June 2018

The Simpsons, season 20, episode 2, 0:18:02

Machu Picchu, 30 June 2018

Screenshots © Gracie Films

Machu Picchu, Peru

  
The second part of the film SECRET OF THE INCAS is set in Machu Picchu, high in the mountains of Peru. After Harry Steele (Charlton Heston) and Elena Antonescu (Nicole Maurey) have stolen the plane from the Romanian consul (see Cusco, Peru), they set off to the old Inca town where a golden treasure might be hidden.

Machu Picchu, 30 June 2018

Not much is known about the origin of Machu Picchu ('Old mountain'). The city was probably founded around 1450 by order of Pachacuti, ruler of the Incan empire. Because of the location, on top of a mountain ridge at 7,217 feet (2200 meters) altitude, it is assumed that it was built as a royal retreat. The Spanish conquerors arrived in 1532 but never found Machu Picchu. Nevertheless, the Incas abandoned the settlement somewhere in the 16th century for unknown reasons.

It would take until 1911 before the American explorer Hiram Bingham, in search of another ruin, accidentally discovered the deserted city. When Secret of the Incas was filmed here in October 1953, the existence of Machu Picchu was only known for 42 years and tourism to Peru was on the rise.

Secret of the Incas, 1:36:41

The film will certainly have made the public curious. Nowadays, if you want to see Machu Picchu you have to beware of mass tourism. A ticket should definitely be bought in advance, and also a train ticket to Aguas Callentes. It is the only way (next to walking) to get to the monument. The number of visitors per day is limited, also a part of day (morning or afternoon) has to be chosen. This results in Machu Picchu being never too crowded. However, even if you decide to take the first bus in the morning from Aguas Callentes up to the mountain, you will have to wait in line with hundreds of other visitors.

Filming on location was limited to a number of overviews of Machu Picchu, including many local extras. All scenes in which actors appear were filmed in Hollywood. Part of the Inca City was recreated in the studio, not always accurate. When Harry and Elena arrive they see from a distance the tent camp of an archaeological expedition, led by Dr. Stanley Moorehead (Robert Young).

Secret of the Incas, 0:45:10

Machu Picchu, 30 June 2018

Secret of the Incas, 0:45:17

Machu Picchu, 30 June 2018

At the end of the film, the local people gather around a small hill. At the top is the Intihuatana ('Tie up to the Sun'), a mysterious ritual stone. Its function remains unclear, it is assumed the Incas studied the stars and the sun from this place.

Secret of the Incas, 1:35:41

Machu Picchu, 30 June 2018

Secret of the Incas, 1:36:58

Machu Picchu, 30 June 2018

Intihuatana, Machu Picchu, 30 June 2018

Screenshots © Paramount Pictures