Machu Picchu is an Inca city surrounded by temples, platforms and water channels, built on top of a mountain. Its construction was built with large blocks of stone joined together, without the use of amalgam. At the moment it is considered cultural patrimony of the humanity when being recognized like important political center, religious and administrative of the Incaic time. Machu Picchu is one of the 7 wonders of the world most visited by tourists, has beautiful stone-based buildings, which were carved with much precision and detail, is the most important work for the Incas for having been built on a rugged mountain and inaccessible, divided into two large sectors, urban and agricultural separated by a large wall that descends the slope of the hill to reach the banks of the Vilcanota River.
Machu Picchu, which in Spanish means "old mountain", is the most famous Inca citadel in the world. Machu Picchu is located northwest of Cusco, 129 kilometers above the Urubamba River (hence the name of the Vilcanota River), in the mountains of Vilcabamba. Its altitude is about 2380 m.s.n.m. The citadel of Machu Picchu is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world and is the main destination of Peru. Few works done by man show as much harmony with nature as the citadel of Machu Picchu shows us and the 33 archaeological groups that are united by the Inka Trail.
The archaeological complex is located at the top of the mountain, Machu Picchu (in Quechua means old mountain or important mountain) which gives the name to the citadel and the impressive landscape that we have all seen. In front of this, the incredible mountain of Huayna Picchu appears ("young mountain") in whose top and slopes some archaeological remains are located. Both summits limit with the mighty Urubamba River that runs towards the east, 400 meters below the citadel.
It is located in a subtropical zone, the reason why the climate is temperate, warm and humid, with an annual average temperature of 130C during the day. One can perceive two distinct seasons during the year, the rainy season from November to March are where there is heavy rain. Visitors are advised to wear clothes according to the season. The dry season occurs in April and October, where high temperatures occur.
Built in the fifteenth century, possibly at the request of the Inca Pachacuteq, Machu Picchu is divided into two large sectors: the agricultural comprising a vast network of terraces and artificial terraces and the urban, consisting of various buildings and plazas including the Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Three Windows, the Main Temple and the Temple of the Condor.
Its buildings follow the classic Inca style: buildings with polished stone walls in a rectangular shape, joined together without the use of amalgams, doors and trapezoidal windows.
In Machu Picchu there is abundant flora and varied fauna. Especially the unique lives of the typical plants of the historical reserve of Machu Picchu which are pisonayes, alders, puya palm trees, ferns and more than 90 species of orchids. In the fauna of the Machu Picchu reserve are the spectacled bear, gallito de las rocas or "tunqui", tankas, wild cats and an impressive variety of butterflies and insects unique in the region. A lie feat of the land, which is its natural environment is the strategic location of Machu Picchu where is this unique monument with a fusion of natural beauty, harmony and work balance of ancient Peruvians and whims of the nature.
One of the greatest Inca architectural works, for having been built in a place that meant facing the greatest topographical difficulties; but thanks to this wild and inaccessible area this citadel was saved from destruction and depredation
Huayna Picchu is located towards the north of the Inca city of Machu Picchu. Climbing the mountain from Machu Picchu takes between 45 to 60 minutes depending on the physical state of the person. The view is really impressive, highly recommended.
Sample of excellent multimedia in the archaeological excavations, archaeological pieces and small botanical gardens.
Entrance tickets for any of the routes are not sold at the access control. In the case of Huayna Picchu, you will not be able to enter this area without the corresponding ticket.
The maximum capacity of entrance is of 400 visitors per day, divided in two groups of 200 people according to the indicated schedule. For the case of the mountain Machupicchu 800 visitors in two schedules of 400 people.
Make the purchase of the electronic ticket in advance, check the availability of spaces online at www.machupicchu.gob.pe
This type of ticket allows you to enter the Inca City of Machu Picchu. The additional income to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain is not sold independently, so it should take the forecasts of the case.
Capacity: 2500 people per shift.
You can stay 5 or 6 hrs in the Machu Picchu Citadel
Adult: USD 70
Child: USD 41
This type of Ticket includes the income to the City of Machu Picchu and the Huayna Picchu Mountain.
Capacity: 400 people per day, divided into two groups of 200 each.
Adult: USD 86
Child: USD 57
This Ticket allows you access to the City of Machu Picchu and the Machu Picchu Mountain located in front of the Huayna Picchu Mountain.
Capacity: 400 people per day at each entrance time.
This ticket includes the entrance to the City of Machu Picchu and the Manuel Chávez Ballón Site Museum. The optional entrance to Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu can not be sold separately.
Capacity: 2500 people per day.
Schedule: Monday to Sunday from 09:00 - 17:00 hrs.
To buy the electronic ticket to Machupicchu follow the following steps:
The payment of the ticket in person in Cusco can be made with cash in credit or debit card. Payment online is made with these payment methods:
The first thing you have to do is arrive to the city of Cusco by any of the known modalities (see how to get to Cusco). Once there you can choose between one of the following options:
Recommended for those who wish a little more adventure, has its start at KM 82 of the railroad that goes from Cusco to Machu Picchu, this tour has a duration of 4 days and 3 nights, time in which one can tour the ancient and enigmatic stone path or Inca Trail.
If you want to embark on this adventure the first thing you have to do is book your entry ticket, which must be done with a minimum of 5 months in advance and the best way to do it is through travel agencies, which are responsible to carry out all the corresponding procedures so that you enjoy your stay in a better way. Access to the Inca Trail is done in groups of no less than 10 people and accompanied by qualified guides who will help you in any event that may arise.
There are two versions of the Inca Trail:
Every year, approximately 25,000 hikers from all over the world travel their extraordinary 43 kilometers (26 miles) along a stone paved road built by the Incas, which leads to the impregnable citadel of Machu Picchu located deep in the high jungle of Cusco. You need a permit to hike this amazing path.
Prices:
Short Inca Trail, this ideal alternative route for people who have little physical resistance or who do not have much time only lasts 2 days and 1 night, in total the hike involves 11 kilometers (6,14 miles). The walk lasts approximately 6 to 7 hours until you reach the Puerta del Sol known as Inti Punku, where you can get the first panoramic views of Machu Picchu.
Prices:
Another option to get to Machu Picchu is using the railroad tracks. For which, one must first purchase the train ticket one month in advance to secure the space, you can book it at the San Pedro train station or at the same train station in Poroy, the train part of the station of Poroy, located 20 minutes from the city of Cusco, departures are also made from the Ollantaytambo station, the trip takes about 4 hours, to the town of Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu town. From Machu Picchu Pueblo or Aguas Calientes there are two ways to ascend to the citadel of Machu Picchu. The first is using the buses in a 20-minute journey and the second is at a walking pace that lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 min.
You can buy the train tickets in the different points of sale of Peru Rail, as well as it can be done through the Web page www.perurail.com. Ticket sales are subject to space availability.
You can buy tickets at different points of service or through the website www.incarail.com
There are buses that take people from Machu Picchu to the Sanctuary from 05:30 hours, every 15 minutes. This frequency is given until 3:30 p.m. and return buses leave between 6:30 and 5:30 p.m. The travel time is approximately 25 minutes.
| Round Trip | One way | |
| Adult | USD 24 | USD 12 |
| Child | USD 12 | USD 7 |
It is recommended to buy bus tickets in advance to avoid double lines in Machu Picchu Pueblo or Aguas Calientes (one to buy and another to board buses).
You can purchase the tickets at the CONSETTUR offices located in the city of Cusco:
Av. Tupac Amaru PP-10B Santiago - Cusco - Peru
Phone: +51 84 217 551
Mail: info@responsiblepeople.org