Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is currently one of the 7 wonders of the modern world. Its name comes from Quechua, meaning "Old Mountain," and it may have been built by the Incas in the mid-15th century by orders of Emperor Pachacutec, during the expansion of the Inca empire.

Considered the first tourist destination in Peru, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the citadel promises a great experience to live, thanks to its beautiful landscapes and impressive Inca infrastructure. It is definitely a place you must visit.

Photo: Lester Kovac

Machu Picchu is divided into two sectors, one dedicated to agricultural activities and the other belonging to an urban area. In terms of flora, there are over 200 different species of orchids in the area, some of which are endangered. Regarding fauna, more than 300 different species of birds and other animals inhabit the area, such as the peculiar dwarf deer, also known as sachacabra. Machu Picchu also features the Temple of the Sun, Royal Residence, Sacred Plaza, Intihuatana, Sacred Rock, Group of the three doorways, among others.

If you are a lover of Trekking, the Inca Trail is one of the routes you must do. The journey is an unforgettable experience, with paved roads and staircases made of stone blocks, crossing rivers through wooden bridges and tunnels that amaze many with the work done by the Incas. It is worth mentioning that a large part of the journey is done at 2000 meters above sea level, passing through areas over 4000 meters above sea level.

History of Machu Picchu

This wonder was discovered in 1911 by an American expedition, led by Hiram Bingham, who from the beginning intended to discover the city of the Incas. Although this was the first scientific expedition to the site, it had already been explored before by Agustín Lizárraga, who guided the 1911 expedition, but there are no public records giving Lizárraga the official discovery. There are also theories that suggest that the inhabitants of the surrounding areas already knew about the existence of the Sanctuary.

Photo: Lester Kovac

Location

Machu Picchu is located in the district of the same name, in the province of Urubamba belonging to the department of Cusco.

Climate and Temperature

The climate is warm and humid during the day and cool at night. Between November and March, the area experiences continuous rainfall. The best time to visit Machu Picchu is between April and October. The average annual minimum and maximum temperature is 6°C and 21°C respectively.

Altitude

The average altitude in this area is 2450 meters above sea level.

How to Get to Machu Picchu

The first step is to take a plane from Lima to Cusco, with a flight duration of 1 hour and 20 minutes. It is also possible to travel by bus, but this journey takes 24 hours. Once in Cusco, you must take the following means to reach this wonder:

Train: From the train station in Ollantaytambo or Cusco to Machu Picchu. You will first arrive at the town of Aguas Calientes, a place full of hotels, restaurants, and tourism agencies. From here, you take a bus that will take you to Machu Picchu, a 15-minute journey.

Inca Trail: For adventure sports enthusiasts, this is the recommended path. The journey usually takes 4 days and 3 nights. It is important to spend a whole day at high altitude for proper acclimatization.

Photo: courtneyprather.com

Adventure Sports

• Trekking
• Cycling

Entrance to Machu Picchu

To enter the Sanctuary, it is necessary to buy the entrance ticket in advance, as they are not sold at the access control for any of the routes. Daily entry is limited to a maximum of 2500 visitors. The entrance fee to Machu Picchu ranges from 32 to 45 soles for national students; 65 to 77 soles for foreign students; 64 to 90 soles for national adults; and 128 to 152 soles for foreign adults.

Video: brav1949