- Altitude: 2400 mts. / 7872 above sea level
- Weather: Dry, sunny days and fresh nights
- Temperature: 78°-50° F / 26°-10° C aprox.
- Rainy season: from November to March
- Accessibility: By train – walking
One of the Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu, has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and is also Peru’s main travel destination.
Introduced to the world a century ago as the Lost City of the Incas by the American Hiram Bingham, the city still guards the secret of the reasons why the Inca Pachacutec had it built. Was it a retreat for the royal family? Or was it intended to be a sacred place devoted to Sun worship, inhabited by acllas or Sun virgins? Or was it a defense fortress built to impede the possible advance of the Amazon jungle dwellers that threatened the empire? Beyond these reasons, what intrigues all visitors and researchers is the fact that the great Inca ordered that this marvel of architectural and engineering marvel be built in such an inaccessible spot, surrounded by untamed nature.
To visit Machu Picchu is to enter into a different dimension, in which the Andean world view clearly unfolds before your eyes and flows forth to fill you with its energy. The citadel was built in complete harmony with nature, on the summit of Machu Picchu hill, crowning the Urubamba River which flows mightily at its feet. Standing in front of Machu Picchu as a careful guardian is Huayna Picchu, a hill where we find the remains of what was considered to be the Temple of the Moon.
The Intihuatana or the sun clock, located on the peak of a small hill, is one of the main attractions of the citadel. During your visit, do not miss the Royal Tomb, the Temple of the Three Windows, the House of the Priest, the Temple of the Sun, the Central Temple, and the Tower (Torreón), the only circular structure in the entire complex.
To reach Machu Picchu, you can travel by train to the town of Aguas Calientes and then ascend up the mountain via public transportation, or by foot up the Inca Trail.
Two Ways of Getting to Machu Picchu
Don’t let time restrictions or a lack of fitness prevent you from visiting the famous Inca complex; we can arrange luxury tours to Machu Picchu too. Arrive in style via train – we can even secure you first-class seats – from Cusco or the Sacred Valleyto Aguas Calientes, the town nearest Machu Picchu. The total journey time will take around three and a half to four hours. From Aguas Calientes, hop on a shuttle bus, which takes just 20 minutes to reach the site. Please pay attention to the conservation regulations of the sanctuary as detailed on your ticket.
Alternatively, you can approach Machu Picchu the old-fashioned way: on foot. The Inca Trail will take you directly to the archaeological site through the main Sun Gate, or Inti Punku, entrance (though there are limited daily permits). The Salkantay trek (no current limitations) will take you into Aguas Calientes. The Salkantay trek has the added draw of being near a variety of high-class hospitality lodges for those who would rather hike by day and indulge in Machu Picchu luxury travel experiences by night.
Trekking to Machu Picchu
The Inca Trail
The Inca Trail, a demanding four-day hike through the high Andes, is undoubtedly the most rewarding way to see the lost city, though permit limits mean you’ll have to book a spot far in advance. This path is the classic route, and ranks up there among the most famous hiking routes in the world. But it’s not for the fainthearted. The trek here is tough and tiring, but the end reward – a glimpse of Machu Picchu framed by the needle peaks of the Andes as you enter through the Sun Gate – is hugely gratifying.
The Salkantay Trek
Thanks to the road-building prowess of the Incas, there are alternative routes to Machu Picchu. Though it lures in less hikers, the Salkantay Trek is – whisper it – just as unforgettable. Many claim its varied scenery surpasses that of the Inca Trail and because there is less foot traffic, you’re more likely to spot some of the wildlife in the area. National Geographic Adventure Magazine even included it in their pick of the world’s 25 best treks. Here’s the rub: It’s longer, more physically challenging and unlike the Inca trail, you don’t enter through the main Sun Gate.
