Machu Picchu Travel Guide
Lost City of the Incas - One of the new Seven Wonders of the World
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Machu Picchu is, without doubt, one of the most mesmerising places on Earth. Resting on a high ridge on the eastern slopes of the Vilcanota mountain range, this lost city of the Incas is simply awe-inspiring.
On a fine day, the landscape alone casts a spell upon this enchanted location – a ring of distant peaks frames the scene, enormous masses of rock rise sheer from the valleys below, lush green vegetation clings desperately to every surface, the rightly Urubamba River swirls hundreds of metres below and hanging white clouds drift between the perfectly polished stones of the legendary Inca architecture, adding to the magic of this historical sanctuary.
Abandoned and forgotten long before the Spanish Conquistadores could destroy it, Machu Picchu was rediscovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham. Now a world renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site and achieving the accolade of being one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, Machu Picchu attracts millions of visitors each year.
The city itself was built using ingenious engineering techniques, where Inca workers transported heavy stone blocks up the mountain side before using their incredible masonry skills to produce the famous polished stones that fit so perfectly together.
Attractions in Machu Picchu
A tour of Machu Picchu will introduce the agricultural and urban archaeological sectors. The agricultural district is predominantly terracing and the urban sector includes the main architectural structures, such as the temples, storehouses, stairways, water channels and the squares.
For those with the time and the energy, it’s also possible to explore some of the sights that lie slightly further afield such as the Sun Gate or Wiñaywayna.
Everyone visiting Machu Picchu will pass through the small town of Aguas Calientes, details below.
Activities in Machu Picchu
The classic itinerary involving Machu Picchu is the Inca Trail, which is an incredible three to four day trek from the Sacred Valley to the Sun Gate. There are also a number of other excellent hikes and climbs in the area.
Relaxing
Rise at dawn and find a quiet corner, away from the crowds deep within the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu. Use these moments to reflect and absorb, as you watch the mists rise above the citadel.
Getting Around
It is possible to walk to the archaeological site from Aguas Calientes, but most choose to use the buses that depart frequently and take approximately 20 minutes to navigate the hairpin bends between the town and the entrance.
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