Peru Cusco Travel Guide - Peru Hotels - Cusco Hotels - Machu Picchu Tours
Machu Picchu
It is located 120 kilometer in the northwest area from Cusco over Urubamba River (it’s a name taken from Vilcanota River), in Vilcabamba Mountains. Its altitude is over 7810 feet above sea level. Machu Picchu citadel is one of the most important archeological places in the entire world and it’s the main destination of Peru. Few works made by the man show so much harmony with the nature as this citadel shows us and the 33 archeological groups that are united through Inca Trail.
The archeological complex is located in the top of a mountain, Machu Picchu (quechua word that means “old mountain or the main mountain”) that gives to the citadel the name and the amazing landscape that all of us have seen. In front of it, the amazing mountain of Wayna Picchu appears (“young mountain”) in which between summits and slopes, some archeological remains are located. Both summits limits on the plentiful Urubamba River, that runs to the eastern, at 400 meter under the citadel.
Altitude
It is 2490 meters above the sea level, taking the center of the archeological site as a reference point. According to some scientists it might have been created about 36 thousand years b.c.
Weather
As it is situated in a subtropical area; the temperature rises from 8º to 22º C. The rainy season is from December to April.
How to get Machu Picchu?
You can get Machu Picchu by train (70 miles – 4 hours approx.), leaving from San Pedro Train Station in Cusco, to Machu Picchu Pueblo Train Station and the only company which offers this service is Peru Rail. In this point there are two ways to reach Machu Picchu Citadel, the first one (the most common) by bus (20 minutes ride). The other way is by foot (cheap but hard to do) the walk is 1 ½-hour long. And for the lovers of the adventure, you can reach Machu Picchu through Inca Trail that goes from km. 82 for four days and three nights approximately, from km. 88 for four days and three nights and from km. 104 for two days and one night.
Click in the following tourist places to get information of Machu Picchu.
Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
On January 8th of 1981, the Peruvian Government declared Machu Picchu as a Historic Sanctuary by Supreme Decree Nro 021-81-AA, which has 32,592 hectares, the need of protecting the archeological monuments, valuable vestiges of the pre-Hispanic period and its landscaping framework, as well as flora and fauna native species related to the region, it is considered as one wonder of the world and in 1983 Machu Picchu was declared by UNESCO as Cultural Heritage of the Humanity.
Machu Picchu Citadel
One of the biggest architectonic works that the Inkas did, because it was built in the most difficult topographic area; but, because of this rustic and inaccessible zone, the citadel has one of the best extraordinary landscapes.
Wayna Picchu
Gives the character to the whole archaeological complex. In the summit of Wayna Picchu you can observe a group of platforms those were used for religious purposes.
Machu Picchu Town
Called before Aguas Calientes, born as a result of the large influx of visitors arriving in growing groups to visit the archaeological complex adjacent. Here you can find: accommodation, restaurants, internet, etc
Inka Trail
The inka trail has about 46.00 km ( 4 days of trek) of trails and gorges, the trail start at the 82.00 km of the train tracks.
Advices / Suggestions
We will give you some tips that you may find useful in your trips to the tourist places already mentioned such as: schedules, the best seasons to go, what to bring, what to avoid, etc.
