Machu Picchu

★★★ Machu Picchu — One of the New Seven Wonders of the World

There are places that exceed every expectation, no matter how many photos you have seen before. Machu Picchu is such a place. The Inca city on a mountain ridge at 2,430 m, surrounded by steep green mountains and misty veils, is of breathtaking beauty.

Built around 1450 AD under Inca Pachacútec, the city was probably used as a royal residence and ceremonial center. Only about 750 people lived here. When the Spaniards arrived, the city was already abandoned — but never "discovered". The jungle inhabitants knew of its existence, but it was not until 1911 that American archaeologist Hiram Bingham brought Machu Picchu to the world's attention.

What You Must See

• Intiwatana (“Sun Dial”): The holiest stone of the site. At the solstices, it casts no shadow — the Incas "tied the sun" with this astronomical instrument.
• Temple of the Three Windows: Three trapezoidal windows overlooking the Urubamba Valley. The windows symbolize the three worlds of Inca cosmology.
• Sun Temple (Torreon): A semicircular temple with windows precisely aligned with the summer and winter solstice.
• Condor Temple: The natural rock formation resembles a condor with outstretched wings.
• Agricultural Terraces: The spectacular terraces on the steep slopes are engineering masterpieces with drainage systems that have worked for 600 years.

Tickets & Access

Machu Picchu has strict visitor management:

• Daily Visitor Limit: About 4,500 per day in various time slots (Circuitos 1–4)
• Tickets: 152 PEN (∼40€) for the standard route (Circuito 2). Book online at tuboleto.cultura.pe — sold out weeks in advance during peak season!
• Huayna Picchu: The famous peak in the background. Additional ticket (200 PEN), only 200 people/day — book months in advance! Steep climb (1h), but spectacular view.
• Montaña Machu Picchu: The larger mountain opposite. Less steep than Huayna Picchu, equally grand panoramic view.
• Passport: Must be presented at entry (must match the ticket!)
• Guide: From 2024, an official guide is mandatory for certain circuits.

Access Routes

• Train (Standard): From Ollantaytambo or Poroy with PeruRail/Inca Rail to Aguas Calientes, then bus (25 min.) or walk (1.5h steep uphill) to the citadel.
• Inca Trail (4 days): The legendary trekking classic. 43 km through cloud forests, over the Dead Woman's Pass (4,215 m), past the ruins of Wiñay Wayna to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) with the first view of Machu Picchu. Only 500 people/day (including porters/guides) — book 6–12 months in advance! Only possible with a licensed agency. Closed in February.
• Salkantay Trek (5 days): The best alternative to the Inca Trail. Over the Salkantay Pass (4,600 m) with a view of the glacier of the same name. No permit needed, more flexible booking.
• Inca Jungle Trek (4 days): The adventure variant: Mountain biking, rafting, and ziplining on the way to Machu Picchu. Budget-friendly.
• Via Hidroeléctrica: The backpacker route: Bus/Colectivo from Cusco to the hydroelectric station, then 3h walk along the train tracks to Aguas Calientes. Cheap but time-consuming.