Machu Picchu: Lost City of the Incas

Perched on a saddle ridge high above the Urubamba River, surrounded by cloud forest and sharp granite peaks, Machu Picchu is as dramatic a setting as any ancient city on earth. Built in the mid-15th century under the Inca emperor Pachacuti, it served as a royal estate and ceremonial centre before being abandoned in the wake of the Spanish conquest. Hidden by jungle for centuries, it was brought to world attention in 1911 by Hiram Bingham’s expedition and is now Peru’s most visited site.

Most travellers experience Machu Picchu as a long day trip from Cusco or the Sacred Valley, while others make it the finale of a multi-day trek along the Inca Trail or one of its alternatives. The gateway town of Aguas Calientes, a short train ride from Ollantaytambo, serves as a staging point with hotels and restaurants. Staying here for one or two nights allows an early bus up to the citadel or a quieter late-afternoon visit but it isn't a hub like Cusco—acccommodations and restaurants are limited—but it's the only staging point at the site. Camping is not permitted within the sanctuary, so treks finish at the edge of the site and continue inside on foot.

Base yourself in Cusco. Most travellers stage in Cusco (3,400 m) to acclimatize and sort trains, permits and treks, then connect via the Sacred Valley. Cusco hub guide →

Machu Picchu—As the mist begins to fade

How to Reach Machu Picchu

Every visit usually begins in Cusco or the Sacred Valley. From there, you have two main choices: the comfort of the train, or the challenge of a trek. Roads don’t go to the site itself, so all final approaches involve either the shuttle bus from Aguas Calientes or walking up the switchback path.

By Train + Bus

The most common route is by train from Cusco (Poroy or San Pedro stations) or from Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. Modern trains operated by PeruRail and IncaRail range from basic seats to panoramic domes with meals included. Trains terminate in Aguas Calientes (also called Machu Picchu Pueblo). From there, a fleet of shuttle buses climbs the steep switchbacks in about 20 minutes to the citadel entrance. It’s also possible to walk up this trail, but most visitors take the bus to save time and energy for the ruins.

By Trekking

Several multi-day routes reach Machu Picchu on foot, the most famous being the Classic Inca Trail (4 days, permit required, limited numbers, guided only). Shorter options include a 1–2 day Inca Trail that enters through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). Alternatives like the Salkantay Trek (5 days, high-altitude mountain passes), the Lares Trek (through remote villages), and the Inca Jungle Trek (a mix of biking, hiking, and ziplining) provide different experiences, often ending with a train ride into Aguas Calientes before the final approach. All treks require a registered guide—self-guided Inca Trail trekking is not permitted. Porters (similar to “sherpas” in the Himalaya) carry group gear, while trekkers carry their own daypacks. Read routes and options →

Direct Bus Option?

There is no direct road all the way to Machu Picchu. However, budget-minded travelers sometimes take long road routes via Santa María and Santa Teresa, followed by a walk along the train tracks into Aguas Calientes. This is time-consuming and less comfortable than the train, but it’s a cheaper alternative if booked with local operators.

Tickets & Timing

Entry tickets to Machu Picchu are not sold at the gate; they must be purchased online in advance for a specific date and time slot. Separate permits are required for climbing Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. Train tickets and trek permits (especially the Classic Inca Trail) should also be reserved months ahead.

Highlights of the Citadel

• Temple of the Sun: One of the finest examples of Inca masonry, this semicircular temple was aligned to the June solstice sunrise. Its curved stone walls fit seamlessly against a natural boulder, showing how the Incas fused architecture with landscape. Access is restricted, but you can view it from above.
• Intihuatana Stone: Nicknamed the “hitching post of the sun,” this carved granite pillar is thought to have served as a ritual and astronomical marker. Guides will point out how its corners align with cardinal points. It’s among the few such stones left intact, as the Spanish destroyed many others elsewhere.
• Huayna Picchu: The sharp peak that towers behind most postcard views of Machu Picchu. A steep, narrow trail climbs to its summit in about an hour, revealing vertiginous views of the citadel below. Permits are limited and must be booked well in advance. Not for those afraid of heights.
• Machu Picchu Mountain: Higher but broader than Huayna Picchu, this trail takes 2–3 hours round trip. The ascent is longer but less exposed, and the reward is sweeping panoramas of the entire valley and surrounding peaks. A good alternative if Huayna Picchu permits are sold out.
• Inti Punku (Sun Gate): Once the main entrance to the citadel, the Sun Gate is reached via a short uphill trail from the site, or as the endpoint of the Inca Trail. From here, you get the classic “first view” of Machu Picchu framed by mountains — a perspective that makes the early wake-ups worthwhile.

Practical Information

• Getting There: Machu Picchu has no direct road access. Most visitors take the train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) and then a shuttle bus up to the citadel. Trekkers arrive on foot via the Inca Trail or alternative routes.
• Best Time to Visit: Open year-round, with the dry season (May–September) offering the clearest views. Wet season (November–March) brings fewer crowds but heavy rain and slippery trails. The Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance.
• Tickets & Passes: The Boleto Turístico covers many archaeological sites in and around Cusco (different options exist). Buy in town; carry ID.
• Crowd Management: Entry is timed and tickets sell out weeks in advance. Arrive early (07:30–09:00) or late (after 14:00) for calmer hours, or stay overnight in Aguas Calientes for dawn access.
• Altitude: At 2,400m (7,875 ft), Machu Picchu is almost 1,000m lower than Cusco (3,400m / 11,150 ft). Many travellers feel relief here after acclimatizing in Cusco, though hikes like Huayna Picchu still demand stamina.
• Coca Tea: Most hotels and cafés across the Andes serve coca tea (mate de coca) as a traditional remedy for altitude discomfort. It’s mild but worth noting it can cause a positive result on some drug tests.