Machu Picchu

• Address: Urubamba River Valley, Cuzco, Peru
• Phone: +51 1 5748000
• Website: machupicchu.gob.pe
• Height above sea level: 2 430 m
• Area: 13 km²

The Inca city of Machu Picchu is the place you should visit if you suddenly find yourself in Peru . In addition to the fact that this city surprises with its beauty and grandeur, the history of Machu Picchu is also no less amazing. This city, lost on a high mountain, was discovered by researchers not so long ago - just a hundred years ago, and even by chance - one of the locals talked about ancient ruins high in the mountains. As you may have guessed, it was the ruins of Machu Picchu.

Probably, according to some similar lucky plan, this city was not destroyed by the Spaniards in ancient times. At the moment, the city of Machu Picchu in Peru is the only Inca monument that the conquistadors did not touch. But history is one thing, and "personal acquaintance" with this historical monument is completely different. Let's get a little closer to this amazing city of the Incas, which still keeps heat from the touch of the ancient deity of the Sun.

Sights of Machu Picchu

In total, about two hundred buildings are located in the city of Incas, as well as many ancient burials, stairs, pools, gutters and so on. One of the most famous buildings - the Temple of the Sun in Machu Picchu, which simply amazes incredibly accurate, almost filigree work of ancient stone. The gate of the Sun Inti-Punk, through which the setting sun illuminates the main street of the city, is also amazing. Also striking with its ancient beauty are the observatory, the gate of Intiuatana, the Sacred Square, the Temple of the Three Windows, and other palaces, buildings, stairs cut in the rocks ... The whole city is striking in its beauty and grandeur. It seems that all his stones still remember the touch of the hands of the ancient Incas, in spite of the fact that nowadays so many other hands have already touched them.

Finish a walk through the ancient city by climbing to the top of the Wine-Picchu Mountain , which offers incredible views of the surroundings and a wonderful panoramic view of the city of Machu Picchu itself.

Interesting facts about the Inca city of Machu Picchu

1. At the top of Wine-Picchu a day can climb no more than four hundred tourists in groups of two hundred people from seven in the morning to eight and ten to eleven. This law is immutable, so if you want to see the panorama of the city of Machu Picchu, you should advance in advance to rise.
2. There is an incredibly beautiful legend about the guardian of Machu Picchu. If you look closely at Mount Wine-Picchu, you can see the face of an Indian who looks to heaven. It is his legends called the guardian of the ancient city.
3. In 2007, Machu Picchu was awarded a place in the list of new seven wonders of the world.

How to get to Machu Picchu?

Of course, the first question any tourist - is: where is Machu Picchu? As already mentioned in passing, the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu is located on a mountain. The city of Machu Picchu is at an altitude of 2,450 meters above sea level. Accordingly, the road there is not close.

There are two options for how you can get to the city. The first option is public transport . This trip itself will become a kind of adventure, but you will be able to get acquainted with the culture of Peru. In addition, this method of transportation will be very economical, which also can not but rejoice. So, you will need to take a bus from Cusco to Urubamba , where you will take the bus to Ollantaytambo , from where in the evening the bus leaves for Aguas Calientes - the nearest village to Machu Picchu. And already from Aguas-Calientes there are buses to the city of Machu Picchu. In general, this trip will take you about five hours, and its cost will not exceed 30-40 dollars.

You can also use another way - go on a direct train from Cuzco to Aguas Calientes. The road will be more convenient, since you will not have to change anywhere, but it will cost $ 100. Another option that will appeal to lovers of hiking and active recreation is a trekking tour of the Inca Trail , which takes an average of about 6 days.