Machu Picchu Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Machu Picchu showing a ruin and mist or fog
Machu Picchu featuring a ruin
Cusco which includes a ruin, heritage architecture and a house
Machu Picchu showing mist or fog, mountains and building ruins
Machu Picchu featuring mist or fog and building ruins
High in the Andesmountains and hidden from the world for centuries, is this ancient Inca cityone of Peru’s most impressive and popular sightseeing destinations.

Knownas the “Lost City of the Incas", the ancient remains of Machu Picchu arean internationally renowned architectural wonder, believed to be constructed bythe Incas around the year 1450. This terraced citadel has the remains oftemples, palaces, altars and fountains.

Itis still a mystery as to what purpose Machu Picchu was used for and why it wasabandoned. After its abandonment, the city was hidden for many years by the tropicaljungle until it was discovered in 1911.

Thecentral structure is the impressive citadel, which rises 2,430 metres (7,970feet) above sea level. To get a view over the entire city, hike up to theGuardhouse and the Funeral Rock. Look down at the free-roaming llamas as theygraze on the grass. Within the citadel, see the stone carving, known as theIntihuatana that marks the winter solstice visit the ancient semicircularTemple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows and the Palace of the Princess.Incredibly, the Incas carved and stacked these huge stone bricks to fit exactlywith each other without the aid of complex tools.

Beingat such high altitude the air isthin and humid, so be sure to paceyourself as you explore the remains. It is advised to plan your visit to thisworld famous city, as a limited number of visitors can be on the site at anygiven time.

Theruins are located northwest of Cusco in the Sacred Valley. To get there, takethe train from Poroy, a small village near Cusco, or from Ollantaytambo toAguas Calientes. The trip takes between 3-4 hours. You can also take a guidedone-day package tour from Cusco. When you get to Aguas Calientes, purchase youradmission ticket in town before taking the bus or hiking up the mountain.Special combination tickets are available through the Peruvian Government’swebsite for Machu Picchu forclimbing both Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu. Discounts are available forstudents.

There are limitedfacilities on the mountain so be sure to bring food, water and an informationbooklet. The best time to arrive is before sunrise to watch the sun light upthe mystical ruins.

Taypikala Boutique Machupicchu
Taypikala Boutique Machupicchu
4 out of 5
Av. Pachacutec #808, Machu Picchu, Cusco
The price is AU$240 per night from 9 Apr to 10 Apr
AU$240
includes taxes & fees
9 Apr - 10 Apr
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 ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (977 reviews)
Couple from Australia
"The staff were really friendly and helpful. They helped us in any way they could. The breakfast was better than I imagined and were happy with it. The hotel also helped people with baggage transport to the station which is a very handy thing in this area. The room and specially the bathroom had room ..."

Reviewed on 2 Apr. 2025

Taypikala Boutique Machupicchu
Vilas Insight Hotel Machupicchu
Vilas Insight Hotel Machupicchu
3 out of 5
Wiracocha, 100, Machu Picchu, Cuzco
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$103 per night from 11 Apr to 12 Apr
AU$103
includes taxes & fees
11 Apr - 12 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Machu Picchu. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and onsite spa services. Popular attractions Aguas Calientes Hot Springs and Manco ...
9/10 Wonderful! (50 reviews)
"comfy rooms and great breakfast!"

Reviewed on 1 Apr. 2025

Vilas Insight Hotel Machupicchu
Tierra Viva Machu Picchu
Tierra Viva Machu Picchu
3.5 out of 5
Av. Hermanos Ayar 401, Machu Picchu, Cusco
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$315 per night from 11 Apr to 12 Apr
AU$315
includes taxes & fees
11 Apr - 12 Apr
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (999 reviews)
"We enjoyed our stay and view at Tierra Viva Machu Picchu. Seeing the river was amazing and helped us fall asleep! It's a walk away from all the shops and restaurants. All the staff were friendly and professional! Highly recommend!"

Reviewed on 31 Mar. 2025

Tierra Viva Machu Picchu
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 ...
5.8/10 (11 reviews)
Our dtay
"We stayed only for one night but found the Hotel clean and extremely comfortable. Patricia at the front desk made us feel like family even preparing a lite snack since our time up the mountain was earlier then breakfast. Would definitely dtay here again"

Reviewed on 12 Feb. 2025

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
Pablos House in Machu Picchu Matrimonial
Pablos House in Machu Picchu Matrimonial
Machu Picchu
Stay at this apartment in Machu Picchu. Popular attractions Aguas Calientes Hot Springs and Temple of the Condor are located nearby.
Pablos House in Machu Picchu Matrimonial
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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