Great video about one woman's heart-wrenching trip to Machu Picchu

Antiquities from Yale's Collection Arrive in Peru's Highlands

Lima –  A first batch of 350 artifacts removed from Machu Picchu and held by Yale University for almost 100 years have been returned to the highland Peruvian city of Cuzco, ancient capital of the Inca empire.

Read more: Here at Fox News Latino

Traveling to the Middle East?

If so, a photo expo is being held in Qatar by the Peruvian Embassy. According to an article by Raynald Rivera, the expo was organized by the recently established Peruvian Mission in Qatar and is titled Machu Picchu: 100 Years of Global Disclosure’ presents the 15^th century ‘Lost City of the Incas.' The photos show various parts of the Inca architecture and will be on display to the public until mid-August at Qatar Photographic Society in Katara.

Free Stuff!

According to the Living in Peru website, tourists visiting Machu Picchu on July 7 will receive gifts made by the local communities. The gifts include, dolls, keychains, posters and other handicrafts. These crafts are meant to greet each visitor who is celebrating the centennial with much joy.  Visitors who plan to explore the site on July 7 will also get to see a light and music show, as well as a traditional Tinkay ceremony.

Interview with the author of Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time

Listen to an interview here with Mark Adams, the author of Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time, discuss his book that retraces Hiram Bingham's journey to Machu Picchu and the allegations and controversy that followed his discovery. 

July is almost upon us!

This July is a very special month, not only because the anniversary of the rediscovery of Machu Picchu, but because this July has five full weekends. This event only happens during July every 823 years, so take your extra weekend and head down to Peru to enjoy the festivities that will be happening month long in celebration of the anniversary!

Machu Picchu Map

Centennial Celebration program

In case you're in the area during July 3-9,  here is a program of events scheduled for the Centennial Celebration for Machu Picchu, according to www.feturperu.info:

Sunday 7/3

-Machu Picchu Centennial Parade 10am

Place: City of Cusco

Wednesday 7/6

-Formal Session 9-11am

 Official ceremony of the Regional Government of Cusco.  Inca Pachacutec Medal  awarded to Peruvian           recipients

 Place: Koricancha

-South American Camelids Festival 12pm-5pm

 Place: Saccsayhuaman

-Welcome cocktail 6pm

  Place: Convent of Santo Domingo

Thursday 7/7

-Twenty-one Gun Salute 6am

 Place: City of Cusco

-Grand Cultural Art Festival in the City of Cusco 9am-6pm

 Places: Joy, Espinar Plaza, Plaza San Fransico, Plaza San Blas, Plaza Santa Teresa, Plaza Los Pumas      and Plaza de Armas

-Welcome to Machu Picchu 10:30am-12:30pm

 Evocation and staging of the traditional Tinkay ceremony and Salute to the “Cuatro Suyos” (Four   Corners).  Interpretation of “Alturas de Machu Picchu” by the Andean group Los Jaivas. 

 Place: Machu PIcchu

-Machu Picchu, history and tribute to a Wonder of the World 6pm-8pm

 Place: Machu Picchu

-The Fiesta is in Cusco 6pm-midnight

 Live broadcasts from Machu Picchu of concerts and a sound and light show.

 Place: Plaza de Armas in Cusco

Friday 7/8

-Dance Competition with participants from the 13 provinces of Cusco 9am-6pm

 Place: Plaza de Armas in Cusco

-Parade with floats 11am-1pm

 Place: Main streets of Cusco

-Presentation by the Andean Symphony Orchestra, The Andean Group and Los Jaivas, as well as a     fireworks display 7pm-midnight

 Place: Plaza de Armas in Cusco

Saturday 7/9

-Music Festival 6pm-midnight

 Including national and foreign artists

 Place: Beer Garden

Jammin' in Machu Picchu

Here are a couple videos of the Andean band Los Jaivas.  They recorded a pretty epic version of the song "Alturas de Machu Picchu" right smack dab in the ancient Incan ruins.  Los Jaivas will be returning to Machu Picchu in July to perform in honor of the historical site's centennial celebration.

Enjoy!

100 facts for 100 years of Machu Picchu

"No. 38 Did the Spaniards know of Machu Picchu? Hiram Bingham didn't think so. 'Yet so far as I have been able to discover, there is no reference in the Spanish chronicles to Machu Picchu. It is possible that not even the conquistadors ever saw this wonderful place.'"

The Los Angeles Times is doing a fact a day leading up to the anniversary of the rediscovery of Machu Picchu. While there are only 43 days left until the anniversary, you can read the facts that have already been posted here.

A History of Machu Picchu and the Inca