Machu Picchu

Travel Guide
Machu Picchu featuring mist or fog and building ruins
The sacred Inca city, built high in the Andes and hidden for centuries, is now one of Peru’s most spectacular and popular tourist destinations.

Machu Picchu is a terraced citadel with remains of temples, palaces, fountain and altars. The fabled “Lost City of the Incas” is thought to have been constructed by the Incas around 1450 and is an architectural marvel.

The citadel sits 7,970 feet (2,430 meters) above sea level in the Sacred Valley northwest of Cusco. It remains a mystery what purpose Machu Picchu served and why it was abandoned. In the centuries that followed its abandonment, the jungle hid the isolated city from sight until it was uncovered in 1911.

Walk up to the Guardhouse and Funeral Rock to get the full overview of the mystical city with its comical free-roaming llamas. Visit the semicircular Temple of the Sun, the Palace of the Princess and the Temple of the Three Windows. Don’t miss the Intihuatana, a carved stone marking the winter solstice.

Due to the thin air and humidity, it is a good idea to pace yourself as you explore the sacred buildings. Notice how, without the aid of advanced tools, the Incas cut and stacked the huge stone blocks to fit precisely.

Make sure to plan ahead to visit the world-famous city in the sky, as there is only a limited amount of visitors allowed on-site and getting there takes 3 to 4 hours. Take the train to Aguas Calientes from Poroy, a small village near Cusco, or from Ollantaytambo further down the line. The luxury option is to take a one-day package tour from Cusco with a guide. Purchase your Machu Picchu entrance ticket in Aguas Calientes before you take the bus or hike up the mountain. If you also want to climb Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain, book special tickets through the government website for Machu Picchu.Students receive a discount.

Bring lunch, water and an information booklet, as there are few facilities on the mountain. Aim to arrive just before sunrise to see Machu Picchu lit in full glory.

Tierra Viva Machu Picchu
Tierra Viva Machu Picchu
3.5 out of 5
Av. Hermanos Ayar 401, Machu Picchu, Cusco
The price is €147 per night from 17 Nov to 18 Nov
€147
includes taxes & fees
17 Nov - 18 Nov
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Machu Picchu. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free train station pick-up. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,007 reviews)
"Nos encantó el lugar y el servicio excelente."

Reviewed on 31 Oct 2024

Tierra Viva Machu Picchu
Taypikala Boutique Machupicchu
Taypikala Boutique Machupicchu
4 out of 5
Av. Pachacutec #808, Machu Picchu, Cusco
The price is €133 per night from 16 Nov to 17 Nov
€133
includes taxes & fees
16 Nov - 17 Nov
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Machu Picchu. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (923 reviews)
"One of the best hotels in that area"

Reviewed on 29 Oct 2024

Taypikala Boutique Machupicchu
Hotel Raices Machupicchu
Hotel Raices Machupicchu
3.5 out of 5
08681, Machu Picchu, Cuzco
The price is €50 per night from 17 Nov to 18 Nov
€50
includes taxes & fees
17 Nov - 18 Nov
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Machu Picchu. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (312 reviews)
"The staff was very friendly and helpful. The room was comfortable. Very close to the market and the bus and train station."

Reviewed on 4 Nov 2024

Hotel Raices Machupicchu
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Suites Machupicchu
Suites Machupicchu
2.5 out of 5
Calle Wiracocha, 205, Machu Picchu, Machupicchu
Stay at this aparthotel in Machu Picchu. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and onsite spa services. Popular attractions Aguas Calientes Hot Springs and Manco ...
4.8/10 (7 reviews)
"Joan picked us up from the training station and showed us to our room. The room was huge, 3 king beds the shower and jacuzzi facility was good, cant beat the price for the size. Not all of the functions of the shower worked like the side shower but the main one worked. The jacuzzi also worked well. ..."

Reviewed on 30 May 2024

Suites Machupicchu
Rockrivers Machupicchu Peru B&B
Rockrivers Machupicchu Peru B&B
Aguas Calientes
Stay at this vacation home in Machu Picchu. Enjoy a beach locale and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Aguas Calientes Hot Springs and Manco Capac ...
Rockrivers Machupicchu Peru B&B
AGRADABLE CASA EN EL CENTRO DE MACHUPICCHU, CERCA A TODO.
AGRADABLE CASA EN EL CENTRO DE MACHUPICCHU, CERCA A TODO.
Aguas Calientes
Stay at this vacation home in Machu Picchu. Enjoy free WiFi and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Aguas Calientes Hot Springs and Manco Capac Square ...
AGRADABLE CASA EN EL CENTRO DE MACHUPICCHU, CERCA A TODO.
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Machu Picchu

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
6
" "5 - Excellent 75%
4 - Good
1
" "4 - Good 12.5%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 12.5%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

One of those places that cannot be over-hyped, it's just incredible. Get there when it opens at 6am and avoid the crowds and day trippers. Highly recommend getting a guide (my hotel organised a very good guide for me, his name was Wagner).

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Exceeded expectation...wonderful place.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

One of the wonders of the world, a must see. Take a guide, you understand so much more than wandering around.