Machu Picchu is an ancient Inca ruin. It sits about 80 kilometers (50 miles) northwest of Cusco, Peru, in the Vilcabamba mountain range.
At 2,350.7 meters (7,710 feet), it sits above the Urubamba River valley. It lies in a small hollow between two rocky peaks. These peaks are Machu Picchu (“Old Peak”) and Huayna Picchu (“Young Peak”).
During the American expedition led by Hiram Bingham in 1912, several dozen corpses were discovered in the citadel. Because most were first identified as female, Bingham suggested that Machu Picchu was a refuge. He said it sheltered the Virgins of the Sun, an aristocratic Inca caste.
Some scholars believe that Machu Picchu served as a royal retreat based on skeletal and material remnants. The cause of the site’s abandonment is similarly unknown; however, a water shortage might have played a role.
Machu Picchu is one of the few significant pre-Columbian monuments discovered in a substantially intact state. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. The buildings at Machu Picchu were most likely built and occupied between the mid-15th and early to mid-16th centuries.
The building style of Machu Picchu and other evidence suggest it was a royal complex. It likely belonged to the Inca king Pachacutec. He reigned from 1438 to 1471.
Few of Machu Picchu’s white granite structures have masonry as finely crafted as that of Cusco, though a few stand out. The Temple of the Sun is a great example of refined Inca architecture at Machu Picchu. The Temple of the Three Windows is another great example. The Intihuatana is also a great example.
Visiting Machu Picchu is at the top of the list for anyone traveling to Peru. During this day trip to Machu Picchu, you will see the rich and unique history of this ancient Inca citadel. Explore the lost city of the Incas with us.
We are a local travel company specializing in providing luxury tours to Cusco. We have years of experience planning tours and treks. Our tour guides are professionals authorized by the local government to provide their services.
We also offer guided tours to Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake, and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Explore the wonders of Cusco with us.
Cusco Hotel Transfer.
6:00 am
We will pick you up from your hotel room in Cusco around 6:00 am. Then, we will drive in our private vehicle to the cozy town of Ollantaytambo. It is located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will be driving for around 1.5 hours. Once we arrive at Ollantaytambo, we will board a train to Aguas Calientes. The train trip will take around 2 hours.
You will be traveling through the beautiful Andean valleys that surround Machu Picchu. The train tracks go along the Urubamba River, which irrigates most of the Sacred Valley. Once we arrive at Aguas Calientes, you will board a bus to the famous Machu Picchu citadel.
After passing the security checkpoints, you will enter Machu Picchu. Then, you will have a complete guided tour of the place. You will visit the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows, and the Intihuatana. You will also see other Inca monuments. You will learn about the history of these wonderful archaeological sites.
If you have booked a ticket to hike Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu Mountain, our staff will guide you to the respective entrance. After the tour, we will board a bus to return to the town of Aguas Calientes.
Once in Aguas Calientes, you will have free time to have lunch at a local restaurant. The price of the lunch is not included in the tour. In the afternoon, we will board a train to return to Ollantaytambo town. Once there, we will transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco. We will be arriving in Cusco city around 7:30 pm.
If you want a more complete travel experience, we also offer private guided hikes. These hikes follow the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Discover the enchanting landscapes of Cusco in our amazing tours.
The “Machu Picchu Tour Full Day” with Machu Picchu Luxury Travel was an absolute highlight of my travels. In just one day, I was able to witness the breathtaking beauty and immerse myself in the wonder of Machu Picchu.
