Overview

The city of Machu Picchu is a pre-Columbian Inca site. It is located in Peru, South America. Tucked away in the heights of the Andes Mountains, Machu Picchu is about 43 miles away from the capital city, Cuzco. The ridge of the city is located in the middle of the Huaynac Picchu and a highland area above the Urubamba Gorge. The Urubamba River flows below this ridge.

Machu Picchu, or "Manly Peak," is believed to be the relics of a royal vacation home or a seasonal estate. Researches have determined that the castle and gardens could have been built between 1460 and 1470 AD by the Incan ruler named Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui. Some buildings seen in Machu Picchu were used as storehouses, public use buildings, and temples.

Thick jungle growth covers a major chunk of the land in this area. It is very isolated and difficult to traverse. Machu Picchu was saved from the Spanish attack on the Incas, giving us a glimpse of their culture and architecture.

Attractions & Activities

If you are interested in ancient civilizations Machu Picchu must surely be on your vacation list. UNESCO has proposed adding Machu Picchu to its Endangered World Heritage Sites to protect the monuments.

Machu Picchu was built in the classical Inca style, with polished dry-stone walls. Its primary buildings are the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows. These are located in what is known by archaeologists as the Sacred District of Machu Picchu. You can take the popular Inca Trail tour that takes you through all the highlights, including Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu.

If you are a keen trekker, you can take the Inca Trial route (El Camino del Inca or Camino Inca) to Machu Picchu from Cusco. You can back pack or use the services of carriers. It usually takes three days to reach Machu Picchu on this trial.

Lodging

Visitors can find accommodations in Machu Picchu according to their budgets. From backpackers to those seeking luxury accommodations with dining rooms and concierges, you can find the lodging you need. It is generally easy to find a room without a reservation, even in peak seasons. Picoaga Hotel, Novotel, Los Andes de America, Hotel Ruinas, and Hotel Don Carlos are some of the hotels at Machu Picchu.

Transportation

There are only two options to get to Machu Picchu: trek it or take busses. From Aguas Calientes, busses are available at regular intervals to Machu Picchu. It just takes about an hour on foot from the capital city of Cusco to Machu Picchu.