Machu Picchu - Peru
The citadel of Machu Picchu sits above the valley of the Urubamba River, high in the Andes Mountains in Peru. It is 112 km from Cusco, 904 km from Trujillo, 1070 km from Chiclayo and 1183 km from Lima, the country's capital.
Surrounded by stories, legends and mysteries, the Inca city of Machu Picchu was discovered by the American historian Hiram Bingham in 1911, and elected as a Cultural and Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983. Since then, the site receives 2,500 visitors a day, coming from all parts of the planet, who wish to get to know this, which is one of the seventh wonders of the world, up close.
To get to Machu Picchu it is necessary to go through 3 stages of transport.
Plane: the first destination departing from Brazil is Lima. From the Peruvian capital, it is necessary to take another flight to Cusco, with a journey time of one hour.
Train: the next stage of the trip is to depart from Cusco to Aguas Calientes. The journey is made by train in one or two hours by the operator Peru Rail. Prices may vary depending on the category chosen.
Trail: Arriving in Aguas Calientes, it's time to stretch out and head for the trails. There is the option of reaching Machu Picchu by bus, but the most classic way is to walk and enjoy the scenery on the itinerary. There are some types of trails that you can choose according to the attractions you want to visit, and they can be closed on the official website for different prices. It is strictly forbidden to follow the route without hiring a specialized guide.
Visitors can stay at each location for up to 4 hours. There are nine different entrances separated by groups, with hours from 6 am to 2 pm, and the itinerary must be chosen when purchasing the ticket. Objects such as selfie sticks, umbrellas, tripods, large backpacks, alcoholic beverages, baby strollers and drones are not allowed.
When to go
The best time to visit Machu Picchu is from April to October, as it is the dry season in the region. The ideal is to avoid the months of July and August, as it is the high season and the large number of tourists can harm the tour. Avoid the months of November to March, as there are many rain showers and slope slides can occur frequently.
At over 2,500 meters high, Huayna Picchu is the steepest climb in Machu Picchu, but it offers the most privileged (and famous) view in the region. As it is a popular attraction, it is necessary to have advance notice when closing the trail with this tour included – that is, not even the difficult access scare away visitors! Take extra care when doing this route, as some people can suffer from vertigo and bleeding in the nasal passages, so go slowly to enjoy this adventure to the fullest.
It is at Inti Punku that it all begins, as it is the gateway to Machu Picchu, where the ancient Incas arrived in the region. The place is also known as Puerta del Sol, and it offers a privileged view of the Huayna Picchu, as well as the route taken by buses from Aguas Calientes. The trail has ramps with some steps and the path is easily covered in 1 hour of walking. As it is on the way to Huayna Picchu, it is not necessary to book the ascent.
Built on a steep slope overlooking the Urubamba River, Wiñay Wayna is located along the Inca Trail, and its architecture features complexes of houses connected by a staircase and fountain, designed especially for agricultural activities. During the tour (which must be chosen on the trail route you choose when buying tickets), the guide tells the entire history of the place. Take the opportunity to enjoy the landscape of the surroundings and rest a little in this place full of good energies!
Llaqtapata is a second version of Wiñay Wayna, only on the other side of the Machu Picchu valley, overlooking the Cusichaca River. It is one of several agricultural terraces, called condominiums, which have been invaded by vegetation, giving an even more charming aspect to the place. Like its twin sister, Llaqtapata will provide you with a pleasant visit, with a great view, in addition to yielding impressive photographic records.
Travelers interested in delving deeper into the history of Machu Picchu should include the Manuel Chávez Ballon museum in their itinerary, before or after visiting the ruins, as it is an unmissable lesson on how this mysterious site was “discovered”, the work what was done by the archaeologists, the structure of the region, articles found during the exploration, among other curiosities. The place is small, simple, but very organized!
Enjoy every corner of Machu Picchu to enrich your cultural baggage. After all, such a historic destination, full of mysticism, only adds to your adventure!
Have fun!
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