Machu Picchu is a Quechua name that in Spanish means “Montaña Vieja” (old mountain) . Is one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World and one of the most visited tourist attractions by travelers from all around the world.
Machu Picchu is a magical place with impressive architecture. Its walls and the gigantic stones with which it was built cause more than astonishment to its visitors.
Built in the 15th century, it has a temperature that can range from -2 ° C to 21 ° C. To learn more about the temperature and recommendations on what to take to Machu Picchu, visit our "Weather in Machu Picchu" section.
According to experts, Machu Picchu had many different purposes, among the main ones are:
It was a sacred place where the gods were worshiped, among them the most important was the sun god.
A place for cultivation. Having a pleasant climate, it was ideal for the cultivation of coca leaves, fruits and vegetables, among other plants.
A perfect place for Stargaze. Its location allowed local people to witness a lot of astronomical events.
Once you enter the Inca citadel and get over the excitement of the initial sighting, you can choose your route from several options. Here we make a few suggestions.
Climbing the famous mountain that features on postcards behind Machu Picchu is a challenge that the more intrepid will not want to miss out on. If that sounds like you, you will need to buy a special pass for this excursion. Access to the mountain is restricted to just two daily itineraries that admit 200 people each, leaving at 07:00 and 10:00, respectively. The level of difficulty is medium to high, and the walk is not recommended for young children or those lacking in physical fitness. The ascent takes approximately 45 minutes, and the complete excursion lasts around two hours.
If you decide to tackle any of the above excursions, you will be well-placed to visit the citadel of Machu Picchu on the way back down. In general, we recommend doing it this way round, as the ascent will be a good deal more difficult after the couple of hours it takes to tour the citadel. To find your way around the complex with ease, remember that it has been divided into sectors that are shown on the site map.
If you decide to do so, we recommend that you start on the left route, passing through the citadel, along one of the paths leading to the Puerta del Sol. The view of Machu Picchu from here is spectacular! The walk takes around two and a half hours, and is moderately demanding, but it is not recommended for the elderly, small children, or those with vertigo.
It is the closest to the access point and covers a vast extension that goes from the lowest to the highest ends of the citadel. It represents a large part of the sites surface, so you will pass through this sector at some point on your way to another sector. The area is surrounded by terraces whose construction was based on great knowledge of agriculture and irrigation; the base is filled with fine sand, followed by stones and, on the surface, cultivated soil. This facilitates the drainage of water for planting and prevents the collapse of the terraces over time.
Beyond the agricultural sector, in the upper part, to the west of the architectural complex, is the section reserved for the nobility and the clergy. Access to this area is marked by a beautiful gate worthy of a palace. In this area are located the main square, the royal palace, the Temple of the Sun and the Intiwatana. Here it is important to appreciate the high degree of refinement of the main structures, where the stones seem to fit perfectly.
Separated from the Imperial sector by a large central patio is the area known as the urban sector, where the remaining inhabitants of Machu Picchu lived. This zone also hosts the Templo del Condor (Temple of the Condor) and other major structures.
The order in which you tour the complex is entirely down to individual preference, and the pace you seek to go at.
Climbing the famous mountain that features on postcards behind Machu Picchu is a challenge that the more intrepid will not want to miss out on. If that sounds like you, you will need to buy a special pass for this excursion. Access to the mountain is restricted to just two daily itineraries that admit 200 people each, leaving at 07:00 and 10:00, respectively. The level of difficulty is medium to high, and the walk is not recommended for young children or those lacking in physical fitness. The ascent takes approximately 45 minutes, and the complete excursion lasts around two hours.
If you decide to tackle any of the above excursions, you will be well-placed to visit the citadel of Machu Picchu on the way back down. In general, we recommend doing it this way round, as the ascent will be a good deal more difficult after the couple of hours it takes to tour the citadel. To find your way around the complex with ease, remember that it has been divided into sectors that are shown on the site map.
If you decide to do so, we recommend that you start on the left route, passing through the citadel, along one of the paths leading to the Puerta del Sol. The view of Machu Picchu from here is spectacular! The walk takes around two and a half hours, and is moderately demanding, but it is not recommended for the elderly, small children, or those with vertigo.
It is the closest to the access point and covers a vast extension that goes from the lowest to the highest ends of the citadel. It represents a large part of the sites surface, so you will pass through this sector at some point on your way to another sector. The area is surrounded by terraces whose construction was based on great knowledge of agriculture and irrigation; the base is filled with fine sand, followed by stones and, on the surface, cultivated soil. This facilitates the drainage of water for planting and prevents the collapse of the terraces over time.
Beyond the agricultural sector, in the upper part, to the west of the architectural complex, is the section reserved for the nobility and the clergy. Access to this area is marked by a beautiful gate worthy of a palace. In this area are located the main square, the royal palace, the Temple of the Sun and the Intiwatana. Here it is important to appreciate the high degree of refinement of the main structures, where the stones seem to fit perfectly.
Separated from the Imperial sector by a large central patio is the area known as the urban sector, where the remaining inhabitants of Machu Picchu lived. This zone also hosts the Templo del Condor (Temple of the Condor) and other major structures.
The order in which you tour the complex is entirely down to individual preference, and the pace you seek to go at.
The fascinating Inca citadel is not the only spectacle offered by this magical place surrounded by tropical rainforest on the eastern perimeter of the Andes. The area is also appreciated by birdwatchers and those who enjoy hiking in search of exotic orchids.
For lovers of bird-watching, the Machu Picchu area hosts around 400 species and is one of the best spots in the world for this activity. If this appeals to you, we recommend booking a trip led by expert guided at your travel agent.
Machu Picchu is also home to a great variety of orchids and bromeliads, which can easily be seen all the way to and around the citadel. If you have time, the hike to the Mandor waterfalls is very pleasant, and is the site of a water source directly fed by the snow-capped Andean range mountains. Of course, as you go deeper into the jungle, you will be able to appreciate a bit more of the flora and fauna of the area.