Guide to Machu Picchu
The Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
In these pages of our Peru guide we have written comprehensive guide to Machu Picchu. If you are planning to travel to Peru and visit this incredible wonder of South America, take some time to read the information listed, and de-mystify this great destination.
Machu Picchu was revealed to the world, when the famous historian, explorer and archeologist Hiram Bingham stumbled upon the site whilst on an expedition in 1911. Initially the importance of the citadel was over looked, and only when he returned over a year later the true significance was realized.
Often for first time travellers to Machu Picchu, we know that it can be a little confusing to understand where the it is located, how you get there and where you stay! Below we have broken down the whole experience into bite size pieces in our comprehensive guide to Machu Picchu.
Perched high up on the edge of a cliff set deep in the high jungle of Southern Peru, Machu Picchu fabled ‘The Lost City of the Incas’ is truly a first class destination for many world travelers. Located 120km’s (75 miles) north-west of Cusco (the closest major city), the settlement was reputed to be an important place or retreat for the royalty and hierarchy of the Incan Empire.
Invisible from the Urubamba Valley below, Machu Picchu lay dormant for more than 4 centuries, nestled neatly at 2,800m (4,000 feet) above sea level. It was considered to have been abandoned by the Incas at the time of the Spanish invasion, and became something of folklore and mystery, until it was re-discovered hidden and preserved in the dense jungle of Vilcabamba.
Each year the site attracts thousands of visitors from all over the globe. There are no roads to Machu Picchu, and most visitors arrive by train from Cusco or The Sacred Valley. There are daily departures from Cusco travelling up the sacred valley stopping at the small town of Ollantaytambo, before heading onto Machu Picchu.
Should you feel that we have missed some useful information in our guide to Machu Picchu, please don’t hesitate to contact us, and we shall consider up-dating the content.
