For those people who are wondering what is Machu Picchu, it is an ancient Inca site located in the Cusco region of Peru, in South America at an elevation of 2,430 meters (7,970ft) above sea level. It is believed to have been built for Pachacuti, an Incan emperor during the period 1438-1472. It is often referred to as “the lost city of the Incas” and is probably the most famous icon of the Inca civilization.

For people who are questioning what is Machu Picchu history, the site remained unknown to the rest of the world until it was discovered by Hiram Bingham, an American historian in 1911. It has terraces, ramps and towering wall that appear to have been cut in the rock escarpment. Other structures on the site are constructed with mortarless stones.

Historians believe that the site was not completed because majority of its inhabitants were killed by smallpox brought to the area by Spaniards during the Spanish conquest. It appears that the Spaniards did not find the site since the sacred rocks are not defaced as is the case with those in other locations which they found.

In 1981, Peru declared the site and the area of 325.92 Km2 surrounding it a historical sanctuary, this area contains a rich variety of the local flora and fauna of the Peruvian Yungas. The area provides a sanctuary for endangered species such as the spectacled bear. There are other interesting species in the area including the long tailed weasel, pampas cat, the Andean condor, the Andean cock of the rock, dwarf brocket among others. The plant life consists mainly of palms and ferns. The surrounding community practices farming of potatoes, maize and keep llamas just as their ancestors probably did.

Although the real purpose of the Machu Picchu is not yet conclusively established, it contains several quarters that can be categorized as serving a royal function, a religious function and there are also quarters that seem like they were used for industrial purposes. There are also hanging garden in some terraces and this section seems to have been used for farming purposes.

It was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1983 by UNESCO, describing it as a masterpiece of architecture and a unique testimony of the Inca civilization. The World Monuments Fund placed the site on its 2008 Watch list of the 100 Most Endangered Sites in the world due to environmental degradation. The site has been under continuous reconstruction ever since its discovery. This reconstruction is aimed at enabling tourists to be able to visualize the site as it were during the period of its construction.

The site has continued to attract a lot of tourists from all over the world following its discovery. As a result there are concerns about the ever increasing human traffic which has led to continued degradation of the area. As a result of these concerns new entry rules for the site were introduced by the DCR in 2011.

If you are wondering what is Machu Picchu, it is a historic sanctuary that was established on 8th January 1981 and is situated on the top most section of the Eastern Andes. The land covering the sanctuary is individually owned and it may be reached by road and rail starting from the lower valley region and as one moves to the ruins, it is reachable by either car or bus. The region has a good climate with yearly temperature being an average of 16°C while at low altitude areas yearly rainfall ranges between 1500mm-3000mm. The region experiences a dry and a wet season where the wet season occurs from October until April while the dry season occurs from May up to September. It forms part of the massif hill mountain found in the Andes plateau which rise sharply out of Urubamba valley located in Peru, about 80km northwest of Cusco.

You can get to the site by hiking Machu Picchu or by getting from the capital city of Peru, Lima to Machu Picchu

A unique testimony of Inca architecture genius, Machu Picchu was discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. Situated a lofty 2,430 meters above sea level this ancient city enjoys a stunning setting, which is hugely enhanced by the outstanding architectural structure. The Incas had built this city circa 1430 AD as a sacred or religious sanctuary. The city was abandoned about 1530 due to Spanish invasion.

The amazing setting, architecture and almost impossible masonry have astounded visitors and archeologists alike. UNESCO declared the city as a World Heritage site in 1983, while Peru has listed it as one of the most culturally and sacred place in the country.

How to get from Lima to Machu Picchu:

If you are in Peru, a visit to this amazing ancient city is a must. The best time to visit this country is May to October since at this time when it is the dry season so you will not have to worry about rain. The temperature will be a little cool during the day time and quite cold at night so you need to carry moderately warm clothes. Expect the temperature to range between 8ºC (48ºC) and 22ºC (72ºF).

As an international tourist, you will most likely land in Lima, the beautiful capital of Peru. Machu Picchu is 1277 km (795 miles) from Lima. To reach Machu Picchu you will need to go through Cuzco (or Cusco) and you have two ways to do this – flight or travel by bus. Since the majestic Andes Mountains separate Lima from Cuzco the bus travel can be tedious and tiring – not to mention very long. The best option is to fly to Cuzco. You have a choice of two direct flights, i.e. LAN Airways and TACA Airways, which will take about 50 minutes. Choose early morning flights, as during the day flights can get awfully delayed due to the sudden fog (descending clouds).

Lima to Machu Picchu – Your first stop:

It is a good idea to book a hotel room in Cuzco beforehand for the majority trains to Machu Picchu leave early morning. The city is beautiful and you will enjoy one day spent here. The journey to Machu Picchu from here is about 4 hours by train.

You can book your train ticket online through PeruRail. Enter the departure as Cusco to M.Picchu or Poroy to M.Picchu. The Poroy railway station is a stone throw away from Cusco. There are many trains running to your intended destination. Choose any of the trains listed – the price of the trip is indicated against the train name.

The most luxurious (and most expensive, of course) is the Hiram Bingham train which also serves brunch on the trip to Machu Picchu and dinner on return. The cost of the ticket also includes the bus journey to the Machu Picchu site. Next best is the Vistadome – which many prefer to Hiram Bingham because most of the roof is made of glass and hence the trip is a special experience. The least expensive is ‘The Backpackers’ train, which is a no frill (but comfortable enough) train.

Your destination:

You will arrive at the Aguas Calientes Machu Picchu station about 4 hours after you board the train. From there you will have to take a bus (approx. $7 ticket cost) to your destination; the journey will be about 30 minutes.

Other ways to reach from Cusco:

The Inca Trail is another way to get to your destination by hiking Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu is commonly referred as the lost city of the Incas. An adventurous way of reaching Machu Picchu is by hiking the Inca trail. This path follows the road that the ancient people of the Inca civilization had made for themselves to reach this place. This path has sturdy rock walkways made by the Incas nearly six hundred years ago. Hiking Machu Picchu is therefore very popular among the visitors who visit this area.

For hiking Machu Picchu, visitors now have two options depending on their time and their budget. The classic Inca Trail trek takes about four days with the final day assigned to exploring the ruins of the Inca civilization. The other one is a two day trek which includes one day of hiking and one day for knowing about the history of Machu Picchu.

There are many unsolved mysteries at the archaeological site. The casual observer will not notice them nor will they be able to understand the significance. It is better therefore to book a guided tour beforehand so that the minutest of details about this place does not go unnoticed by you.

Hiking on the Machu Picchu is a great experience for many visitors. For visitors who are interested in the Inca path should pay respect to the path and also for the fellow visitors. Some tips are therefore given for a good hiking trip.

Be careful with the walking sticks:

Walking sticks are allowed on the hiking tour to the Incas. This is especially helpful while descending. However, these sticks are not allowed inside the main site as it may wear the ancient stones.

Do not make the path dirty:

Machu Picchu is an important archaeological site. Its importance in the history of mankind is immense. Therefore on the hiking trip, it is better to leave the path as it is. Avoid throwing food packets, water bottles on the path and thereby spoiling its beauty. Leave the path as it is. That will only enhance the beauty for you and many other visitors who will visit the place.

Avoid complaining:

The Inca trail is a great hiking experience for people from different backgrounds, different ages and even different physical sizes. At some points in the path, the hiking can become challenging for many individuals. Dead woman’s pass is a place which is on a high altitude and is on your path to Machu Picchu. You may experience some problems due to the high altitude. It may be rather difficult for you. Whatever it is, do not complain because the others on the trip will be experiencing the same problems, and it will spoil the mood for many.

Tip the porters:

Giving a good tip to the porters is also essential. They are the ones who carry your items through the whole route and also ensure that you are comfortable and safe. Therefore giving them a good tip makes them feel good and encourages them to carry on with the job.

What to carry for the trip:

A pair of waterproof hiking shoes is a must for the trip. Hat, gloves, long sleeve fleece, cold weather jacket are also to be carried as the weather may change suddenly. High altitude pills, lip balm, sunscreen and a backpack to accommodate all these items will complete the list.

Hiking Machu Picchu is an experience of a lifetime. Therefore, ensure that you follow these tips to enjoy this hiking trip to the fullest.

Machu Picchu facts are not the most popular tidbits of information, mainly because the site has not been widely known to everybody, just as its physical location. But it really pays to know the facts about this historical site that has been the icon of the extinct yet great Inca Empire. Being the largest empire of the pre-Columbian era, the almost hidden mystery behind the ruins astonishes people today.

While some may be hooked to the idea that Machu Picchu is only a history, here are some of the amazing Machu Picchu facts that can prove that Machu Picchu is timeless.

The first of the Machu Picchu facts is that the people who lived at there were the best masons. Buildings at the site are so well-built, that anyone would be wondering how the early Inca people built all of those. But, since it is also known that the Incas are considered to be some of the most proficient masons, it is quite not understandable how they were able to build all the stone buildings with such accuracy, that even a thin steel blade will not be able to fit between the stacks of stones.

Another fact is about the construction of the city, which was well-planned and is advanced compared to other societies during that time. Since Machu Picchu is a peak and living there is already challenging, having 150 buildings constructed is phenomenal. The Incas, who were about 500 to 700 in population, were able to build houses, sanctuaries, temples, and baths.

The site is not only a historical location, but an astronomical observatory. The Machu Picchu has a stone that is able to identify the equinoxes. That stone is called the Intihuatana and is considered to be sacred by the Incas. In two magical times a year, the sun hits the stone without creating a shadow.

There are only two Hollywood movies that dared to shoot in the place. The film Secret of the Incas is the first to take the heights of Machu Picchu to a whole new level. Paramount Pictures was the first to embrace the challenge of the weather at the site in 1954. The second film that featured Machu Picchu is The Motorcycle Diaries, which was in 2004. This movie is about Che Guevara, a Marxist revolutionary. It chronicles his travels in 1952.

Machu Picchu is one of the last Seven Wonders of the World. In 2007 the New 7 Wonders Foundation announced that Machu Picchu is included in the final list of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Because of this distinction, Peru was ultimately proud. The same honor was also given to the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal, the city of Petra, Chichen, the Colosseum, and Christ the Redeemer. The Great Pyramid of Giza was an honorary candidate.

The Machu Picchu history is not a secret. Though new information and data are consistently being gathered as of the present time, the important details about how the Machu Picchu came into being has already been established.

One particular and most common known fact about the Machu Picchu history is when the entire thing was built. It was constructed in 1450, when the Inca Empire was at its strongest. It was the peak of the Inca civilization and it was the pride of the Inca people. However after a century, it was abandoned right after the arrival of the Spaniards. Though the conquistadors were not aware that such a civilization was already there, some travelers that were able to see the place carried Smallpox, and when the locals were infected, they died of the disease.

Even if it was recorded in Machu Picchu history that the Spanish were able to set foot on the holy sanctuary of the Incas, they were still able to recognize and take note of what they used to call Picchu. But it was not stated that they were able to really go to the place. This may seem a good thing because during that time, the Spanish accustomed to destroying Inca artifacts when they conquer a certain city, but because they did not see Machu Picchu, all of the remains of it are preserved to this day.

The actual discovery of Machu Picchu is to be credited to Hiram Bingham, which is the rock of all Machu Picchu history. He was the first to make the theory that the site is the place where the “Virgins of the Suns” was birthed, that is why for the Incas, it is considered to be holy ground. After Bingham, other researchers were able to make breakthroughs in the study of Machu Picchu. Among these brilliant minds are Richard Burger and John Howland Rowe. They were the ones who concluded that the high lands of Machu Picchu are indeed the home of Pachacuti, the Inca emperor at that era. Johan Reinhard on the other hand, was the one who said that Machu Picchu was particularly handpicked by the Incas because of the landscape that is compatible with astronomical instances that the Incas value.

The history also mentions clear that the land is sacred, and that the Incas refer to it as a religious site of spirituality. Because of the mountains that surround the area, it is considered to be a place where you can have quiet time any hour of the day. These mountains are considered to be the walls of important religious doctrines that the Incas give importance to.

After its discovery in July 1911, the NatGeo Society honored its history when it dedicated the April 1913 cover to cover issue to the modern wonder of the world. Only almost 30 years ago, Peru, the country that houses Machu Picchu, declared about 300 square kilometers as a sanctuary of history. Today, Machu Picchu is one of the previous 7 Wonders of the World, being elected in 2007 by the foundation that sponsored the event.

Machu Picchu tickets are needed to purchase in order to be able to enter the Machu Picchu. It is just like going to a paid museum; all you need is a pass, and you can be free to enter the sanctuary. Tickets for Machu Picchu are not available at the exact location, so if you have plans of going there, you should avail of the tickets before your prospect tour of the ruins. Also, the government of Peru has limited the visitors to only 2,500 people per day, so it is really wise to book tickets at least a week or more before the trip to the mountains.

The official distributor of Machu Picchu tickets is Aguas Calientes. They are situated near the Central Plaza where the Pachacuti statue is at. So when you finally see the Pachacuti, you can walk 10 minutes from there to get to the Cultural Center of Machu Picchu. However, if you got to Aguas Calientes via train, it is more convenient because upon arrival the center is already selling tickets and you do not need to wait. But if you get to Aguas Calientes at around dinner time, you may have to wait for a couple more hours, since the center opens at around five in the morning, and then closes at 7 o’clock in the evening.

Machu Picchu tickets cost 122 soles, and if you are a foreigner, you have to change your dollars (or whatever kind of currency you have) in soles, because they do not have a money change at the center. Also, it is wise to bring the exact amount in soles for the tickets, because usually they do not have change for more than that, and you end up giving them more. But what’s good to know is that they offer a discounted price for students. If you are a student, you only have to pay half the price – only if you have an ISIC card. Any other identification card will not be honored. If you do not have an ISIC card, you can avail one from the official website of ISIC.

Before getting the Machu Picchu tickets, the entrance ticket to Aguas Calientes is also a concern. But do not worry; you can purchase one from the office of the National Institute of Culture (NIC). If you have settled at a place which is around Plaza de Armas, then getting this ticket is a breeze. You just have to pass Calle San Bernardo.

Another important thing to remember about Machu Picchu tickets is the validity of the ticket. Though some people advise that you should avail tickets five or seven days before your actual trek to Machu Picchu (this is for online customers), tickets that were bought from Aguas Calientes are only valid for three days. So if you don’t want your tickets to go to waste, you should head for Machu Picchu within three days after getting the entrance tickets. Also, the tickets are only valid for one visit.

The Machu Picchu location is at the most stopped-by tourist attractions in Latin America – Peru. It sits at the southern part of the globe, about 13 degrees to the south, from the equator. From Cusco, Machu Picchu can be located 80 kilometers treading northwest. And it has an unbelievable mark of more than 7,000 ft. above sea level. It is like stacking 23 pieces of the Statue of Liberty just to achieve that height.

Compared to the Inca Empire capital, its climate is much more tolerable. This is also the reason why people believe that the Machu Picchu location is suitable for its early inhabitants. Since the weather is never hot, yet not too cold either, it gives the residents a chance to enjoy the land and construct the different stone buildings without much hazard. The climate also allows the Incas to experience a holy feeling being in the sanctuary of a cold city.

Though its location is at the top of the average piece of land in Peru, it still welcomes dry and wet seasons. The early men and women who lived there were blessed with this regular yearly season, because they were aware when to plant their crops and when to harvest them. This was also helpful when they planned to build their houses and when the months are suitable for other activities. They were also able to identify which part of the year is the time to save food for the rainy days. The rainy season usually falls starting October all the way through April. Though rain can come any month or day of the year, there is a specific rainy season when it rains frequently.

The Machu Picchu location is a majestic site, as it sits over the wonderful Urubamba River. In fact, this river is around the Machu Picchu at three of its sides. There are also cliffs hanging from the Machu Picchu to the base of the river at around 450 meters. The Inca home is also gifted with mists coming from the river, which makes it all lovelier. Also, the Urubamba River provides the passageway for the Inca army via the Inca Bridge. And these structures gave the Incas an advantage in battle if needed.

Another popular bridge at the Machu Picchu location is Tree-Trunk Bridge that spans from the west of Machu Picchu across a cliff to the other tree. It closes a gap that is 20 feet long. However, when the trees were removed, there is now a fall that measures 570 meters to the cliffs’ bases. The city built by the Incas is in the middle of the Machu Picchu Mountain and another mountain called Huayna Picchu. Beyond that, there is a valley and a pass that is almost impossible to tread. As for water, there are springs that can provide the Incas’ needs, so the inhabitants do not have a water problem. As for food, the land has enough surface area to grow crops and trees for more than double the population of the people who lived there.

Here are some Machu Picchu maps for you:

Picchu sanctuary map

Machu Picchu urban sector map

Machu Picchu agricultural sector map

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Map

The Machu Picchu altitude is in fact one of the most amazing facts about the sacred site of Incas. With an altitude of 8,040 feet or 2,450 meters, it is one of the highest in the world. But it is not widely-known that other cities in Peru are even way higher than Machu Picchu. Yes, while everybody else thinks that Machu Picchu is the tallest, check again. Machu Picchu is only popular because of the history it carries, but height wise, it is a midget compared to other cities in Peru. The taller cities are Cusco, Ollantaytambo, Puno, and Lake Titicaca.

Compared to the Machu Picchu altitude, Cusco is taller by 2,000 feet. Cusco has an altitude of 10,800 feet or 3,300 meters. Cusco, or sometimes spelled as Cuzco was first called and spelled as Qusqu or Qosqo. It is located in the southeast area of Peru, a few meters from Urubamba Valley and near the mountain range of the Andes hills. This city is actually Cuzco Province’s or Cusco Region’s capital. While the Machu Picchu is the holy sanctuary of the Incas, Cusco, on the other hand is Inca Empire’s capital. Because of this, tourists are also encouraged to check out the city—apart from touring the Machu Picchu.

Another Peruvian city that will put the Machu Picchu altitude to shame is Ollantaytambo. It has an altitude of 9,150 feet or 2,790 meters. While Cusco is the capital of the great empire of the Incas, Ollantaytambo is the place of rich archaeology in Peru. It is south of the country at around 60 kilometers to the north of Cusco. In Inca time, this city was Emperor Pachacuti’s royal estate. He was the one who conquered the place, so there he built a center for ceremonies and a town for the people.

Puno is a city whose altitude is way more than the Machu Picchu altitude. Puno has a height of 12,420 feet or 3,860 meters. The city of Puno is located at the southeastern part of Peru, at the shores of another skyscraper which is Lake Titicaca. Like Cusco, Puno is the capital of Puno Province and Puno Region. Unlike Machu Picchu, the Spanish conquistadors reached Puno they were responsible for its establishment. Puno was named after San Juan Bautista de Puno in 1668. But after some time they changed the name to San Carlos de Puno to pay tribute to the Spanish King Charles II.

Lastly, the other city that towers above the Machu Picchu altitude is Lake Titicaca. With an altitude the same as Puno, Machu Picchu will surely bow to Lake Titicaca. As said, it is a lake that is on Peru’s border and Bolivia. It separates the two countries and has served the two to identify the distinction between the two lands. It boasts of being the biggest lake in Latin America. It has often competed with Lake Maracaibo but the latter has been frequently neglected because its tail is attached to the sea—while Lake Titicaca is a solo lake.

The Machu Picchu closing is the kind of news that fans of the Inca sanctuary do not want to hear. After the discovery of the Machu Picchu in the early 1900s, it has caught the eye of tourists and almost everybody who has heard of it wants to see it personally, so they can experience the majestic site that visitors have often bragged about. However in the past years, rumors have been circling around that indeed Peru is closing down the tourist attraction that rakes in millions to their country’s piggy bank. So what is the real deal? Is the Machu Picchu really closing, or is this just some propaganda to pull in more tourists?

The bad publicity about the Machu Picchu closing broke out about three years ago and people who have heard of the information said that the closing will be in 2012. Though the particular date, much less the month of closing in 2012 was not exactly identified. The fear that the place that landed the distinction of being one of the last Seven Wonders of the World is something to be concerned about. Actually in 2007, when the Machu Picchu was elected as one of the new seven wonders, the tourism boomed in Peru and visitors to the sacred mountain have increased drastically that the government had to do something about it.

The government of Peru did not consider the Machu Picchu closing when people flocked the mountain after the site was considered to be one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Instead, what they did was to control the traffic of people who are so excited to see the ruins. Up to this day, they have been trying to control the number of people who can see the site daily. They have reduced daily trips to the mountain to only 2,500 people per day, so that they can manage better. But they never thought of closing it down.

The reality of Machu Picchu closing is only as close to the temporary closure in 2010, when the Machu Picchu tourist spot was forced to prohibit visits for 60 days, because of the torrential rains that hit the mountains and destroyed some parts of the Inca Trail, and caused the train tracks to be unusable. Because this trail is the only access to Machu Picchu, the government ordered complete repair and restoration of the passageway before they can allow tourists into the site once more.

The Machu Picchu closing in 2010 had a great effect on the tourism status and economy of Peru, mainly in Aguas Calientes (where you buy tickets for Machu Picchu), the Sacred Valley (where locals gain income because of the tourists), and in Cusco (where hotels for visitors are located). The loss that Peru had that time was around a minimum of 160 million dollars to a maximum of 416 million dollars. During those two months, the locals were so desperate that other travel tours in Cusco began to offer a car expedition to Machu Picchu. But this did not sell too much because they would have to go through a road that is not well-maintained, plus a long trudge of 12 kilometers to Aguas Calientes. Since it was too much of a hassle, it did not become a popular option.