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+1 801 386 7277
+51 84 225 183
info@culturalimmersion.org
EN
ES
Machu Picchu (Quechua for old peak) is a 15th century Incan site, located in the Cusco Region, above the Urubamba Valley with its scenic Urubamba River.
Discovered in 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham (probably build around 1450), it became the most famous site of Incan construction.
Machu Picchu is one of the most important sites in South America, and one of the most visit ones in Latin America; the most visited one in Peru.
It was declared as a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary in 1981 and a UNESCO World Heritage 1983. Furthermore, it was voted as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.
Machu Picchu, 80km northwest from Cusco, is located on the summit of mountain Machu Picchu above the Urubamba valley in the Andes mountain range at 2,430 above sea level (7,970ft).
As Machu Picchu is located more than 1000m lower than Cusco, it has a way milder climate.
Comparable to Cusco, Machu Picchu has two main seasons:The rain season and the dry season. The rainy season occurs during the summer months of November to March, with the dry season passing during the winter months of April to October. During the dry season, you can expect blue skies as rain is virtually unheard of at this time; however,from time to time you can expect foggy clouds in the mornings, giving a site a mysterious look.
Even during the rainy season, most days will exhibit some sunshine, so while youll want a rain jacket and umbrella; the temperatures are still very comfortable and the days enjoyable.
Machu Picchu is easily reachable by bus from the so called Machu Picchu Town, Aguas Calientes, which is located 6km away from Machu Picchu. From the town you can also take a 1 ½ walk to the Machu Picchu site, steeply uphill.
To Aguas Calientes, you will get via a scenic train journey (either from Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley or from Poroy, located 20 minutes from the Cusco City Center. You will either board the Expedition train, or the more comfortable Vistadome train, providing a glass roof and even more comfortable seats. For the most luxurious travelers there is also the possibility to board the Hiram Bingham train, named after the famous discoverer of Machu Picchu.
In case you reaching Machu Picchu via the old Inca Trail, you will arrive to the Sun Gate, the old Incan gateway, and enjoy an amazing first view of the Machu Picchu site.
The Machu Picchu citadel is divided into two sectors: the urban and the agricultural sector. The agricultural sector consists mainly of the typical Incan terraces, while in the urban sector the temples, main squares, palaces, storehouses, stairways and water fountains can be found.
While visiting the site, you will recognize that Machu Picchu was built according to its natural surroundings, with its constructions following the natural curves and dips and rises in the land.
The control gate can be found in front of the main gateway. It is made up of a three-walled room with several windows. From the control gate you have an amazing panoramic view, of both, the agricultural and the urban sector. Use your chance to take photos from there as you have a good overview on the whole complex.
This semi-circle shaped construction was built on solid rock, an existing granite block, shaped to blend with the natural curves. It is composed of highly polished polyhedrons. Inside the building, you will find two trapezoidal windows with protruding knobs at every comer, and on the north side there is a carefully-sculpted door with bored holes in the doorjamb, very similar to the Qoricancha temple in Cusco. Supposedly,in previous times, there were gold and precious jewels encrusted in the door. To the West of the temple there is a rectangular patio with nine ceremonial doorways, alternating with prism-shaped studs.
A 45 minutes walk from the Machu Picchu site, slightly or sometimes steeper uphill, and you will arrive to the amazing Sun Gate (Quechua: Intipunku). It is one of the old entrances to Machu Picchu, the end of the Incan Trail, and even today, all the travelers, hiking the Inca Trail, arrive to this point, enjoying the first incredible morning view about Machu Picchu, before heading down for a closer look.
The Sun Gate consists of two stones perched at a narrow passage in the crevice of the mountain just above Machu Picchu. The Sun Gate has its name due to the sun shining brilliantly through this portal every morning during sunrise.
At the top of a hill, who appears in the shape of a pyramid, due to the terraces, constructed on its sites, you will find the Intihuatana Stone. In quechua, Inti is the word for sun and wata means year. This translation gives the meaning of a solar year observatory.
Numerous studies demonstrate that the intihuatanas were used as reference points to determine the magnetic North. However, for sure it was a ritual place of great religious importance.
Located west to the main square, it is one of the most impressive architectural buildings in Machu Picchu. It got his name due to the fact that its main face has three windows and two blind bays.The enormous polyhedrons have been carved and joined with millimetric precision. In front of the Wayrana-style construction, on the large doorjamb next to the central column that holds up the roof, there is a sculpted lithograph with carefully polished molds and flat parts.
The Temple of the Condor is an enormous collection of buildings, in irregular shapes, that seem to follow the natural form of the rock. It is named due to a great carved stone, in which many people tend to see the representation of the condor.
After a 30 minutes hike on a narrow path from the Machu Picchu site, always guided by the spectacular nature, you will arrive to the Incan Bridge.
This construction was supposed to be a secret entrance to Machu Picchu for the Incan Army and is part of a mountain trail west of Machu Picchu.
One of the most charming restaurants in Aguas Calientes, the `Machu Picchu Town´. Offering French and Peruvian Cuisine in a welcoming atmosphere, the Indio Feliz is located directly in the main street of Aguas Calientes, near the main Plaza. Come in and enjoy!
Enjoy your lunch or dinner in the restaurant of the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo 5* Hotel! Scenically located at the Urubamba River and designed with loving attention to details, you will feel welcome and well hosted. Enjoying the great service of the staff, you get the chance to try the typical Peruvian cuisine as its best.