Machu Picchu is considered Peru’s best tourist destination. It is located on the top of a mountain in the middle of a tropical jungle. This Inca sanctuary captivates travelers not only for its stunning architectural beauty, but also for its significant historical and cultural legacy, which has led to its recognition and admiration across the world.
There are different hypotheses regarding the purpose of Machu Picchu. Some suggest it was created as a huge tomb for the Inca Pachacutec, while others claim it was a key administrative and agricultural hub, whose cultivated lands provided a living for its residents. It is also said that Machu Picchu served as a vital connection between the Andes and the Peruvian Amazon, or as a resting place for the Inca governor.
When explorer Hiram Bingham discovered the Inca citadel, he thought he had discovered the lost city of Vilcabamba, the last Inca stronghold. What he didn’t realize was that he was about to make one of the most incredible discoveries on the American continent.
During your visit to Machu Picchu, you will see two well-marked sections separated by a 400 meter (1,312 feet) long wall: one dedicated to agricultural needs and the other more urban. The agricultural section is distinguished by the presence of terraces or platforms used for food growing. On this section there are few modest buildings nearby that might have been the residences of farmers.
On the other hand, the urban area is characterized by imposing stone buildings, which are thought to be temples and royal residences. Some of the structures you can find there are the Intihuatana, the Main Temple, and the Temple of the Three Windows.
We are a local tour operator specialized 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, the Humantay Lake, and the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Explore the wonders of Cusco with us.
Cusco Hotel Transfer.
7:00 am
We will pick you up from your hotel room in Cusco around 7:00 am. Then, we will drive to the cozy Ollantaytambo town, which is located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Once we arrive at Ollantaytambo, we will board a train to Aguas Calientes town. Aguas Calientes is a small village that serves as the entry point to Machu Picchu citadel.
The train trip to Aguas Calientes will take around 2 hours to complete. The trail road goes along the Urubamba river, whose waters irrigate the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This short train trip is regarded as one of the most beautiful in Peru.
Once in Aguas Calientes, we will transfer you to your hotel room. After leaving your things there, you will have free time to explore the cozy Aguas Calientes town. You will have the chance to visit the local market and the famous hot springs.
We will leave Aguas Calientes early in the morning, after having breakfast. Then, we will board a bus to Machu Picchu citadel. This bus trip takes around 40 minutes to complete. Once at Machu Picchu, we will pass a security checkpoint before entering the Inca citadel.
Afterwards, you will have a guided tour of the Inca citadel. You will visit the Main Temple, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Intihuatana, among other Inca structures. If you have booked a ticket to Machu Picchu mountain or Huayna Picchu mountain, our personnel will take you to the respective entrances.
Once the tour has finished, we will return to Aguas Calientes. Then, you will have free time to have lunch at a local restaurant. The lunch is not included in the tour price. Later, in the afternoon, we will board a train to Ollantaytambo. Once there, we will transfer you back to Cusco city. We will be arriving there around 9:00 pm.
The knowledgeable guide provided insightful commentary, enhancing my understanding of Machu Picchu’s history and significance. The highlight, of course, was arriving at Machu Picchu and being able to explore this ancient citadel firsthand.