One of the best known structures of the Inca empire, Machu Picchu is five square miles of terraced stonework linked by 3000 steps. It was thought to have been built in 1460-1470 AD by the Incan ruler, Pachacuti.
At an altitude of 8,000 feet, this lost city of the Incas is high above the Urubamba River canyon cloud forest it is invisible from below. Surrounded by agricultural terraces sufficient to feed the population, and watered by natural springs Machu Picchu was completely self contained.
It
is made up around 140 different buildings including a large palace, temples dedicated to the Incan gods, sanctuaries, parks and residences.
Built as a sanctuary for the Incan nobility, it is thought to have been populated by only around 1,000 people at a time. It was the stronghold of the revolt led by the last Incan emperor,
Manco Inca Yupanqu,i against the Spanish conquistadors in 1536
There are two ways to get to Machu Picchu. The first is aboard a train followed by a short bus journey.
Machu Picchu can be reached by train from Cusco (four hours) Urubamba (two hours and 10 minutes) or Ollantaytambo (one hour and 15 minutes). The train will take you to Machu Picchu Pueblo station (also known as Aguas Calientes) where a bus ride (around US$9) zig zags up the mountain to the ruins. If you choose to walk from the train station, it will take you about two hours to complete the journey.
The second way is to trek there.
The most popular of the trails to the Lost City of the Incas is the Capaq Nan trail from Cusco, 70km to the south east. Cusco was the capital of the Incan empire. Many of the tourists do this three to four day hike and are led by guides who can show them the many well-preserved ruins to see along the way.
There are alternative routes including a one day trek, but they all meet up near Inti-Pata, the 'Sun Gate' and entrance to Machu Picchu. The trails pass through the Andes mountain range and sections of the Amazon rainforest and pass some well-preserved Inca ruins and settlements.
Plans to put in a cable car to the top of the mountain have, to date, all been rejected.
Since 1983, Machu Picchu has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Admission to the site costs US$20 for foreigners.
There are no ATMS in the area, so be sure to bring enough cash before you arrive. Additionally, while there is a hotel with a self-service restaurant next to the ruins, if you don’t want to pay hotel prices bring plenty of food and drinking water. And during the dry season, the ruins are a popular area for sandflies so take insect repellent.
The best time to visit Macchu PIcchu is
April to May or September to October. Peruvian holidays from July 28 to August 10 and the days around Cusco's Inti Raymi festival, which starts on June 24 are best avoided. In general, Sundays are the quietest days. Another way to avoid crowds is to stay overnight in nearby Aguas Calientes and arrive early in the morning before the train crowds arrive around 10am.
