Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu Peru

Machu Picchu is a 15th‑century Inca site located 2,430 metres above sea level in the Cusco Region, Urubamba Province, Machupicchu District, in Peru. It sits on a mountain ridge above the Sacred Valley, about 80 kilometres northwest of Cuzco, with the Urubamba River flowing through the valley below. Most archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti. Often mistakenly referred to as the “Lost City of the Incas”, it is the best‑known symbol of Inca civilisation. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Sun Gate: Offers excellent views back down the surrounding valleys. It’s a fairly strenuous hike but well worth the effort. • Temple of the Sun: Near the summit of the main city, its stonework is extraordinary and represents the very peak of Inca building techniques. • Intihuatana: A carved stone aligned so that, on certain days at dawn, the sun casts a specific shadow, functioning as a kind of sun dial. • Temple of the Three Windows. • Main Temple. • Temple of the Condor: The condor was clearly a symbol of harsh justice, although a softened explanation is usually given for tour groups and families.
Recommended airport
Teniente Alejandro Velasco Astete Intl (CUZ)
Nearby destinations
  • Aguas Calientes a 2.38 km
  • Urubamba a 48.99 km
  • Ollantaytambo a 32.30 km