Machu Picchu, the great Inca city of Peru

Machu Picchu is one of the 7 wonders of the world most visited by tourists. It was declared a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary in 1981 and is on the Unesco World Heritage List since 1983.

It has beautiful stone-based constructions, which were carved with great precision and detail, it is the most important work for the Incas for having been built on a rugged and inaccessible mountain.

Divided into two large sectors, urban and agricultural separated by a large wall that descends the hillside until it reaches the banks of the Vilcanota river.

Why visit Machu Picchu?

There are few places that offer you the magic and the special connection with the environment. With the first step in Machu Picchu, you will know that it is a wonder of wonders.

One more reason to realize how impressive the Incas were at the time of making their constructions. Nature and history together to dazzle us.

Because of its location, it was a place that was kept hidden from the sight of the Spaniards, so it is an intact wonder until Hiram Bingham decided to tell the world that here in Cusco, there was paradise.

How to get to Machu Picchu?

The first thing that has to be done is to arrive to the city of Cusco by any of the known modalities (see how to get to Cusco). Once there you can choose between one of the following options:

Inca Trail

Recommended for those, who want a little more adventure, has its start at KM 82 of the railway that goes from Cusco to Machu Picchu, this tour has a duration of 4 days and 3 nights, time in which one can travel the Ancient and enigmatic stone path or Inca trail.

Access to the Inca Trail is done in groups of no less than 10 people and accompanied by qualified guides who will help you in any event that may arise.

There is also another shorter route with a duration of 2 days and 1 night, which starts at Km 104.

Via train

Other options to get to Machu Picchu is using the railway tracks.

For which, one must first acquire the train ticket one month in advance to secure the space, you can book it at the San Pedro train station or at the Poroy train station itself.

The trip takes approximately 4 hours, to the town of Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu town.

Craft market

The craft market of Machu Picchu is one of the most important and beautiful in Peru for producing decorative, luxury and utilitarian items of very high quality.

In creativity, design and presentation they have an expression of Inca, colonial and contemporary art, the exhibition-sale being surprising.

Where to sleep?

A good alternative is to spend the night in Ollantaytambo instead of in Aguas Calientes. Many visitors arrive in Peru with the dream of going to Cusco and visiting Machu Picchu.

Many wish to return the next day because the time is short to visit the entire citadel of Machu Picchu and sunrise is recommended in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town) and in the morning go up to the tourist complex of Machu Picchu, there are hotels for different types Budget

Machu Picchu has hotels of different categories, 1 to 5 stars, all provide quality services that will help make your stay as pleasant as possible.

Location

The archaeological zone is located on the left bank of the Vilcanota river, in the Kusi Chaka gorge, to the mouth of the Aobamba river.

In the district of Machu Picchu, province of Urubamba, department of northwest Cusco at 112.5 km. northeast of the city of Cusco in Peru.

Important data

The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu is located in a humid subtropical area where vegetation predominates and where there is rainfall for much of the year.

Schedule

The entrance time to the citadel of Machu Picchu is from 06:00 to 16:00 hours, the departure time is until 17:00 hours with a capacity of 2500 visitors per day.