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Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu is a very beautiful destination. The ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru is a wonderful attraction for the tourists who visit this place. It is one of the most preferred tourist attractions in Peru and is also an important archaeological site in South America.

How to Visit Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is situated on a mountainside. The nearest town is Aguas Calientes, which is situated in the valley beside the Vilcanota River. It is located only a few kilometers away from Machu Picchu. However, a journey by bus takes nearly 20 minutes to climb the narrow, steep dirt track connecting the two places.

There are no proper roads connecting Aguas Calientes to the outside world. Travelers have to take a train to Ollantaytambo and then take a taxi or bus to Cusco.

The most simple way of reaching Aguas Calientes is by buying a round-trip train ticket from Poroy. Poroy is a small village and is about 15 minutes ride by taxi from Cusco. Peru Rail offers only one departure a day to Machu Picchu from the station in Poroy.

The Inca Trail Peru is the best walk in all of South America. Hiking Inca Trail excursions cannot be done without a guide, but requires that all trekkers go with a properly sanctioned group.

When to Visit Machu Picchu
In order to visit Machu Picchu, you have to buy the entrance ticket at the Machu Picchu Cultural Centre located in Aguas Calientes. Machu Picchu opens at 6 am in the morning and remains open till 6 pm. Small bags are allowed into the ruins but anything which is larger than that is not allowed and should be left at the luggage counter located near the entrance for a fee.

Machu Picchu is very quiet before 11am and after 3:30 pm. Monday is the busiest day, as many people visit Machu Picchu after visiting Pisac market on Sunday. June, July, August and September are the busiest months in Machu Picchu. Around 2,500 people visit the ruins every day. Even during the low season, you can expect somewhere between 1,500 and 2,000 tourists everyday.

If you want to see the early sunrise in Machu Picchu, then you need to stay at night. You can stay at the expensive Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge. The hotel is located just beside the ruins of Machu Picchu. You can also spend a night in any hotel in Aguas Calientes.

Located 2,430 meters above sea level, Machu Picchu Peak is a pre-Columbian Inca site and is one of the most prominent symbols of the Inca empire.

Machu Picchu was constructed between 1460 and 1470 AD by an Incan ruler called Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui. It consists of approximately 200 buildings, most of them being residences. However, in addition to residences, there are storage structures, temples and also public buildings. Its primary buildings are the Intihuatana, the Room of the Three Windows and the Temple of the Sun. It has polygonal masonry (polished walls made of dry-stone) which ia a typical feature of the late Inca period.

A unique feature of Machu Picchu is the blend of architecture into landscape. Various stone formations were used for building structures and water flows via stone channels and cisterns. The roofs of the houses are thatched and the doors are trapezoidal in shape. The houses also have peculiar windows. For those houses which have two stories, the second storey have to be reached mostly by ladder.

Places to See in Machu Picchu
Travelers can visit several tourist attraction places in Machu Picchu. Some of these beautiful places include:

Temple of the Sun – It is near the summit of the main city and the stonework on the temple is really beautiful. You will see that there are a variety of stone walls spread across the city. Most of them are rough stones held together with the help of mud. However, several buildings or building parts are made with more impressive closely-fitted stonework. The temple is a perfect example of this technology. Observe it from the side, descending the stone staircase in the main plaza.

Intihuatana – The Intihuatana stone is one of the several ritual stones in South America. The arrangement of these stones is such that they point directly at the sun during winter. It is also referred to as "The Hitching Point of the Sun."

Temple of the Three Windows - It is located to the west of the main square. This is a sacred temple and is very popular for its big walls and three windows of trapezoidal shape through which the rays of the sun will pass and illuminate the Sacred Plaza.

Main Temple - To reach the Main Temple, you have to look for the stairs that will take you to the Sacred Plaza. This square is surrounded by three buildings. You will find the Main Temple at the northern end of the square.

Huayna Picchu – Huayna Picchu, also called as Wayna Picchu, is a mountain in Peru. It rises over Machu Picchu and offers a panoramic view of the place.

Hot Springs - This is a natural sauna in Machu Picchu Pueblo located in Av. Pachacutec, which is just about 7 to 8 minutes walk from the main square.

Gate of the Sun – Originally a fortress, Gate of the Sun can be reached via the royal path which is still accessible.

If you have sufficient time in your hand and long for a solitude, then you can also walk to the Moon Temple and the Great Cave. It is a long walk and adventurous hike involving several ladders. You can also visit Mandor Waterfall. It is an area of lush forest surrounding the town of Machu Picchu. This singular Drawbridge is one of the most dangerous trails. The trail begins in the Building with Ten Windows to the south of the citadel.