Hollywood stars seek that Inca aura in Machu Picchu

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It’s official: The ancient citadel is a must-see for the jet set. Celebrity chic has come to the Andes.

Already this year, reports the Lima daily El Comercio, Bill Gates and Cameron Diaz made the trek to the misty Andean ruins. Diaz even caused a bit of a stir when her military-style shoulder bag — emblazoned with a red star and the inscription ‘Serve the People,’ in Chinese — brought back bad memories of Peru’s bloody battles with Maoist-inspired Shining Path rebels. The starlet explained she hadn’t meant to offend anyone.

‘Inca culture is so splendid,’ Diaz was quoted as saying.

As Diaz checked out, CNN’s Ted Turner showed up with his family.

This week, actors Woody Harrelson and Owen Wilson have deplaned in Cuzco, the former Inca capital, reportedly en route to the Inca’s Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

‘Wilson’s clothes denoted an indelible California style,’ noted El Comercio. What’s that mean, anyway? The newspaper cited the actor’s straw hat, jeans and mountain jacket. Hmm.

Sidekick Harrelson was pictured leaving the airport in low-key, backpacker-type garb: plaid shirt, cotton slacks, cloth cap, fleece jacket — and, yes, that de rigueur khaki shoulder bag, presumably sans the red star and maxims of Chairman Mao.

The Peruvian press reports today that the duo suspended their journey to Machu Picchu after visiting a nonprofit group and having a run-in with several local journalists.

Posted by Patrick J. McDonnell in Lima