Machu Picchu, the impressive ruined city of the Incas in Peru, is definitely worth a visit! The city, which is located at an altitude of 2,430 meters on a mountain, is visited by millions of visitors every year, but what is so fascinating about the world-famous ruin?
Pictures can capture moments, and give impressions of an environment. But the actual magic, the historic atmosphere of a place can only be experienced live. Machu Picchu is one of those places where you've seen hundreds of pictures and yet nothing comes close to the real experience of the centuries-old city of the Incas. Machu Picchu in Peru is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and one of South America's top tourist attractions. Up to 2,000 people visit this attraction in Peru every day. I will now tell you what the ruined city in the middle of the mountains is all about and how you can plan a day trip here on your journey.
History and Architecture
In the 15th century, the Inca - a South American tribe from hundreds of ethnic groups - built a city in the middle of the Peruvian Andes at an altitude of 2,430 meters. It was built on a ridge between the peaks of Huayna Picchu and Mount Machu Picchu, 75 kilometers northwest of the city of Cusco, in southeastern Peru. The 216 buildings of the Inca city were connected with an extensive system of stairs consisting of around 3,000 steps, all of which are still preserved today. The outer walls of the temples, the residential buildings, some of which are multi-story, as well as fountain basins and canal connections are still in good condition today. Some of the buildings have been gradually restored and reconstructed true to the original in recent years.
The Inca ruler Pachacútec Yupanqui, who ruled from 1438 to 1471, directed the construction of this city - the basis for the expansion of the mighty Inca Empire in South America. Research assumes that up to 1,000 people lived there at the time and were self-sufficient. It is still unclear why the city was built in the middle of the Andes. The original name of the plant is also not transmitted. The city was named after the nearby mountain peak "Machu Picchu".
Machu Picchu Fact: Although Machu Picchu only has one correct spelling, funny offshoots of the name keep circulating. But let me tell you: Macchu Picchu, Mach Picchu, Machi Picu, Machu Picco, Machu Piccu, Machu Pichu, Machupichu, Macnhu Picchu, Matchu Pitchu and Matchupichu are by no means alternative spellings, but simply wrong.
After the inhabitants died out or were resettled, Machu Picchu remained undiscovered for years. The official date for the rediscovery is 1911. In fact, there have been numerous explorers who visited the city before that, almost every century after it was built.
RELATED: Where is Machu Picchu Located
Machu Picchu Tourism
Machu Picchu became known and famous all over the world when National Geographic magazine dedicated its entire issue to the ruined city in April 1913. In 1983 it was recognized as a World Heritage Site, and in 2007 it was named one of the seven new wonders of the world. Since then, Machu Picchu, with its green cliffs and stone walls, has been one of the biggest tourist attractions in South America. On average, 2,000 people from all over the world visit the historical sight every day.
A curse for the environment, a blessing for the tourism industry
Tourism is a secure source of income for the hotel and catering industry. A thriving business has developed around the Inca city with stalls, hotels, and restaurants. But the crowds of tourists also bring many problems with them.
For years, UNESCO has been calling for an urgent reduction to a maximum of 800 visitors per day in order not to endanger the cultural heritage and not to further pollute the environment. The development of railway lines and routes for buses have already radically changed the environment. Now the construction of a cable car from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu is planned. UNESCO vehemently opposes this. The easier arrival by cable car would further increase the flow of tourists.
Machu Picchu tickets for the world-famous citadel
In the meantime, the Peruvian government has also responded to UNESCO's criticism and taken measures to better control the flow of visitors. There is now partially restricted access to individual sights, and access to the Wonder of the World is only possible for a limited time and together with a certified guide. You have the choice to visit Machu Picchu on your trip either in the morning or in the afternoon. There are 4 scheduled groups and two circuits, according to the time, you can explore all citadel or part of it. The official maximum stay is 4 hours. If you also visit Huayna Picchu mountain it is 4 hours, if you visit Montaña Machu Picchu it is six hours including the Machu Picchu citadel according to the circuits in this ticket. In addition, the maximum size of the individual visitor groups is limited to 10 people.
Registration and an entrance ticket are required for the Machu Picchu site. This prevents more than 4000 visitors a day from making a pilgrimage to the holy site. If you want to hike in the mountains.
There are only 400 tickets available for the Huayna Picchu mountain in four schedules (07:00 am. 08:00 am, 09:00 am, and 10:am). Machu Picchu mountain is 400 tickets available on two schedules (7:00 am and 8:00 am).
Although you shouldn´t have any problems getting tickets in the quieter off-season, we recommend you book in advance early to be on the safe side. You can get them either online, for example, on the Ministerio de Cultura's official website, or on our website: Machu Picchu tickets official site.
The Machu Picchu tickets costs are the following:
- Adults 152 soles (U$ 62)
- Students 64 soles (U$ 32)
For this, you should have your student card date valid. Once you arrived at Machu Picchu citadel, you should present your original student ID in person. In case you don´t have your student card, you will need to get a new ticket.
For Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain tickets
- Adults: 200 soles (U$ 85)
- Students: 125 soles (U$ 43)
How to get to the lost city of the Incas
Machu Picchu Tours: Discover the history of the Inca
Machu Picchu is located in the middle of the Peruvian Andes, in an area that is difficult to access. There are no roads here. For this reason, a railway line was constructed from Cusco to Aguas Calientes. The journey in the panorama train takes you along picturesque mountain backdrops and wild streams and thus straight to our list of the most beautiful train journeys in the world.
Once in the small village at the foot of the Machu Picchu mountain, you can either take the bus that travels the eight-kilometer serpentine route up to the Machu Picchu citadel, or you can walk the route. It is best to set off early in the morning. This way you avoid the large tourist streams and you might be rewarded with a spectacular sunrise.
Inca Trail: Walking through the history of the Inca
The Inca Trail is probably the most exciting and adventurous way to Machu Picchu. For four days you hike along the former trade route of the Incas from Cusco to Machu Picchu - 44 kilometers and a total of 8,670 steps. Hike past small, ancient ruins and climb up to 4,200 meters to the highest point of the trail, the "Dead Woman's Pass". Continue on to the Sun Gate, where you can finally catch your first glimpse of scenic Machu Picchu.
In order to embark on your journey on the Inca Trail, you have to take care of it early on: only 500 people are allowed on the path towards Machu Picchu every day, so the places are booked out months in advance.
In addition, the trail is closed to tourists every February for cleanup. It's a good thing that there are alternative routes that also offer you wonderful views and are far less crowded.
Additional information: There are two Inca Trail tours apart to the 4 day Inca Trail.
Alternative routes towards Machu Picchu: Enjoy the best scenic trails of the Cusco, Peru
Embark on a four to five-day hike on the Salkantay Trek, which is actually in no way inferior to the Inca Trail. It takes you to over 4,600 meters with a view of the adjacent mountain Salkantay. Spend the night in tents or with local families and enjoy the fabulous, original landscape.
If you don't want to just walk, you'll get your money's worth on the Inca Jungle Trek. Ride a mountain bike through the Andes and ride their raging streams while river rafting. Swing along the zip line and enjoy the hot thermal springs in Aguas Calientes. Some adventures await you on the four-day trekking tour towards Machu Picchu.
Discover Machu Picchu in Peru
Make your way to South America and experience one of the new seven wonders of the world up close on your journey. Convince yourself personally of the magic of Machu Picchu, hike along classic Inca Trail and take a journey back in time to the empire of the Incas!
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