Machu Picchu

Introduction

machu picchu

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Machu Picchu is one of the most famous sites in South America, let alone Peru, but it remained unknown by the outside world until about 100 years ago. Hiram Bingham, a United States senator and explorer, rediscovered the Incan ruins in 1911.

Close to a century later, Machu Picchu is one of the world's most popular destinations, listed since 1983 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. More recently, it was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Although it can be reached by train, more intrepid travellers prefer to hike there via the Inca Trail, a multi-day hike along ancient Inca roads.

History

Experts think that Machu Picchu was constructed around 1450 while the Inca Empire was at its height. It was only inhabited for around a century, and it remains unclear what its purpose was. Its location near sacred geographical features suggests that it was spiritually significant to the Incas.

The Spanish conquistadors, who destroyed many Inca sites, never discovered Machu Picchu, despite its location near Cusco. It was only by chance that Hiram Bingham discovered it in 1911, as he was brought there by some of the few locals who were aware of its presence. In 1948, he published a book about how he found the ruins, named The Lost City of the Incas.

Since its rediscovery, tourists have flocked to Machu Picchu, which now receives over 400,000 visitors each year. Even though it isn't the biggest or most complete of the Inca sites, its beautiful and convenient location has made it the most popular Inca site.

Recently, the influx of visitors has led to concerns about the impact of tourism on the site. In order to limit the negative effects of tourism somewhat, the Peruvian government has limited the number of people allowed to get to the site.

Opening Hours

Machu Picchu

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Machu Picchu is open from 7am to 5pm daily. It's also possible to organise a nocturnal tour between 6pm and 1am through several agencies in Aguas Calientes.

In case you would like you hike up to Wayna Picchu (from the top of which there is an incredible view to Machu Picchu itself) get up early. The guard at the beginning of the path will only let you in until 1 pm. Regardless of the opening time of the guarding hut only 400 visitors allowed to hike Wayna Picchu per day.

Cost

Entry to Machu Picchu costs S/ 122. You will also need to pay for the bus from Aguas Calientes to the entrance, which is a relatively small fee.

See the article about the Inca Trail for more information about the expenses of hiking to Machu Picchu.

There are two options for the train trip from Cusco to Machu Picchu:

• Vistadome: one way S/. 214.42 ($71 USD), or return S/. 429.00 ($142 USD)
• Backpacker: one way S/. 144.96 ($48 USD), or return S/. 290.00 ($96 USD)

Check the Peru Rail website to confirm the latest timetable and prices.

Getting There

By Train

lama in the inca trail

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The easiest way to get to Machu Picchu is via the train from Cusco to Aguas Calientes. The train leaves fairly early in the morning and returns to Cusco around 4pm, which only allows you a few hours at the site. If you can, it's worth trying to stay at Aguas Calientes overnight.

There is also a second, cheaper train, which is used by the inhabitants of the villages in the Sacred Valley. It is not open to tourists.

On Foot

The other way to get to Machu Picchu is on foot along the Inca Trail. This is a very popular trek with several different options: there's a one-day trail, a 4-day trail and a longer one than that.

In an effort to keep the negative impact from tourism to a minimum, the Peruvian government has limited the number of people allowed to hike the Inca Trail on any given day to a maximum of 500. Therefore, if you're planning to visit the ruins during high season (from June to August), it is a very good idea to book ahead.

Read more about the Inca Trail.

Eat and Drink

There are a basic café and a restaurant at the entrance to Machu Picchu, but these are pretty expensive. There are also a few restaurants around the railway station in Aguas Calientes.

You are not supposed to eat in the site itself, but as long as you don't litter and aren't sitting right in front of a guard, you're likely to be left to eat in peace.

Make sure you buy plenty of water from the sellers in Aguas Calientes as it's not possible to buy in the site itself and the restaurants at the top sell water at a vastly inflated price.

Sleep

There is only one hotel inside Machu Picchu, which is the Machu Picchu Santuary Lodge. It is very expensive, with the cheapest room costing an extraordinary $795 USD per night.

The cheaper option is to stay in Aguas Calientes.