TRAVEL GUIDE

Machu Picchu

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Machu Picchu

Sacred Valley of the Incas – Best Places to Visit in 2021 – 2022

The Sacred Valley of the Incas is a truly special place that will give you the most beautiful experience and take your breath away. This fertile valley is dotted with remarkable Inca ruins, ancient fortresses, picturesque Andean markets, and villages steeped in age-old traditions is what you’ll experience on a tour to the Inca heartland. Also, the Sacred Valley is a photographer’s paradise with stunning landscapes and mountain views against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks. It is also an adventure activity hub, with biking, hiking, horseback riding and much more all on offer in this lush, idyllic landscape.

All information a traveler needs to know before visiting the Sacred Valley

Overview

Discover this beautiful Inca citadel that annually draws around 447,800 visitors. Machu Picchu is considered one of the most visited destinations in the world. if you want to learn more about this wonderful place. Browse our Peru Spirit Adventure destination guide for essential travel details and top attractions to see during your visit.

History

Machu Picchu, one of the most visited places in the world by thousands of tourists every year. Inca citadel discovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, an American archaeologist from Yale University who inspired the character of Indiana Jones.

After he discovered Machu Picchu he obtained the sponsorship of Yale University, National Geographic magazine and the Peruvian government to study the site in depth. Between 1912 and 1915, Bingham and his team made archaeological excavations in Machu Picchu.

Consider that the name of this Inca city is not Machu Picchu and that it was not found by the Spaniards during the conquest. Since there is no evidence of its destruction by the conquistadors.

Initially, its existence was only speculated by foreign and local explorers. Machu Picchu was a sacred site constructed more than 500 years ago. According to archaeologists it would have been occupied long before the Incas by some pre-Inca civilizations who would have occupied it and started the early construction of this ancient sacred city.

Although there are many questions about their builders that may never be solved, every recently uncovered piece of evidence will continue to amaze us regarding the high technology developed.

How to Travel to Machu Picchu

The easiest way to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu is to take the train to Aguas Calientes. It is a scenic 1.5-hour trip from the Sacred Valley (Ollantaytambo train station.

Machu Picchu by train

Most travelers choose to travel by train for the convenience of saving time, comfort. Since this is the safest and fastest way to travel to Machu Picchu.

Travelers can take the train from the Poroy train station, located 30 minutes from the city of Cusco. Poroy train station is the closest station to the city of Cusco.

The train trip goes through the Sacred Valley, then you continue from Ollantaytambo along the tracks of the train to the town of Aguas Calientes.

Inca Trail

The highlight of any South America backpacking trip is the trek to Machu Picchu which is one of the best ways to reach Machu Picchu reaching the Inca city through the Sun Gate.

For adventurous travelers looking for a challenge, the 4-day Classic Inca Trail is an excellent option

However, the Inca Trail has to be booked well in advance, so you plan your visit to Machu Picchu properly.

There are 2 types of Inca Trail hikes:

Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Explore the Peruvian Andes along the Inca Trail through varied terrains. Visit Inca archaeological sites along the way, enjoy the flora and fauna offered by each place where you will hike, let yourself be carried away by the landscapes and snow-capped peaks in the distance.

The hike covers a total distance of 43 km (26 miles) and a maximum elevation of 4200 meters (13,828 feet).

Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

If you could not get a permit for the 4-day Inca Trail, don’t worry, you can opt for the short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

For the short Inca Trail you don’t need to book it much in advance, you can book it up to 1 month in advance.

Weather in Machu Picchu

The weather is variable, so be prepared for strong sun and rain.

Although the best months to visit are during the dry season which starts from April to October.

What is the elevation of Machu Picchu?

Machu Picchu is located on a mountain peak at 2,430 meters above sea level.

New Regulations

Machu Picchu Rules 2022

4 circuits have been established by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture, to control the flow of traffic and prevent overcrowding avoiding Covid 19 infections.

After May 25, 2022 those doing the 4-day Inca Trail, the 2-day Inca Trail will not be able to visit the whole site of Machu Picchu. Once they arrive at the Sun Gate they must go directly to the viewpoint. Where they will take the postcard photo of Machu Picchu and then they will have to leave, they can re-enter the city but only to visit the lower part (Circuit #03).

Find out more about the new Machu Picchu circuits below

Circuit #01 If you take this route, you will visit the Guardian House, from where you will have one of the best views of Machu Picchu and the Sun temple. It also allows you to visit most of the terraces and the lower part of Machu Picchu.
Circuit #02 This circuit allows you to visit the highest part of Machu Picchu, the route connects with the Sun Gate and the Inca Bridge. It also allows you to see part of the lower part, such as; the temple plazas, Sacred rock.
Circuit #03 The circuit allows you to visit the sector of the agricultural terraces, the House of the Inka, the Temple of the Sun, the Ceremonial Fountains, other constructions located in the lower section.
Circuit #04 This circuit takes you to visit the lower part of the terraces and the urban sector, combined with the sacred rock, the temple of the condor and the temple of the 3 windows.

Machu Picchu tickets

Machu Picchu tickets are limited and must be purchased well in advance. Machu Picchu tickets combined with Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu Mountain usually run out quickly due to high demand. Machu Picchu tickets are limited and must be purchased well in advance. Machu Picchu tickets combined with Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu Mountain usually run out quickly due to high demand therefore it is highly advisable to purchase them up to 6 months in advance.

You can buy your Machu Picchu ticket at the ministry of culture website https://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/

When purchasing tickets, you will have to select the time of entry as well as the options to choose from the new circuits. All the information about your visit to Machu Picchu will be indicated on your ticket.

What to bring to Machu Picchu?

For a Machu Picchu tour before leaving your hotel make sure you bring the following items in your day pack

Things to pack for your trip to Machu Picchu

Mosquito repellent
Sunscreen
Bottled water
Rain poncho
Camera
Hat
Sunglasses

What to See

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The Sun Temple

Sacred temple built in semicircular form with the best Inca architecture. According to local archaeologists, this temple served for astronomical purposes, as well as to observe the movement of the sun during the day, to fix solstice and equinoxes.

The Inca’s house

The Inka house is the most elegant construction for domestic use for the Inca, with several enclosures. The central courtyard is surrounded by two large rooms of fine finish with beautiful lintels, and two other small enclosures of three walls, with evidence of having had a steeply pitched roof.

Sun Gate

The Sun Gate is located in the highest part of the citadel of Machu Picchu, it is the final place of arrival for those who hike the Inca Trail, from where you get the first view of Machu Picchu down below.

The Sacred Rock

Located in the lower part of the Urban Sector of Machu Picchu Inca city, the Sacred Rock (also called Roca Sagrada), is a large stone that mimics the shape of the mountain in the background.

For a long time, tourists and locals would lay their hands on this rock in order to get the energy that it accumulated during the day, making it a very important element.

The temple of the three windows

The temple of the 3 windows is located in the upper section of the entire Machu Picchu area, exactly in the place known as Plaza Sagrada.

This temple displays a megalithic construction due to the enormous size of its stones. The three windows are trapezoidal in shape. On both sides there are two other closed windows probably where the Incas left ceremonial objects of gold and silver as well as some idols of other conquered cultures. Access to these constructions is currently closed to visitors.

Things to do

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Packages

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