Machu Picchu

Travel Guide

Machu Picchu which includes mist or fog and building ruins
Machu Picchu showing building ruins
Cusco which includes heritage architecture, a ruin and a house
Machu Picchu showing building ruins, mist or fog and mountains
Machu Picchu featuring a ruin and mist or fog
The sacred Inca city, built high in the Andes and hidden for centuries, is now one of Peru’s most spectacular and popular tourist destinations.

Machu Picchu is a terraced citadel with remains of temples, palaces, fountain and altars. The fabled “Lost City of the Incas” is thought to have been constructed by the Incas around 1450 and is an architectural marvel.

The citadel sits 7,970 feet (2,430 meters) above sea level in the Sacred Valley northwest of Cusco. It remains a mystery what purpose Machu Picchu served and why it was abandoned. In the centuries that followed its abandonment, the jungle hid the isolated city from sight until it was uncovered in 1911.

Walk up to the Guardhouse and Funeral Rock to get the full overview of the mystical city with its comical free-roaming llamas. Visit the semicircular Temple of the Sun, the Palace of the Princess and the Temple of the Three Windows. Don’t miss the Intihuatana, a carved stone marking the winter solstice.

Due to the thin air and humidity, it is a good idea to pace yourself as you explore the sacred buildings. Notice how, without the aid of advanced tools, the Incas cut and stacked the huge stone blocks to fit precisely.

Make sure to plan ahead to visit the world-famous city in the sky, as there is only a limited amount of visitors allowed on-site and getting there takes 3 to 4 hours. Take the train to Aguas Calientes from Poroy, a small village near Cusco, or from Ollantaytambo further down the line. The luxury option is to take a one-day package tour from Cusco with a guide. Purchase your Machu Picchu entrance ticket in Aguas Calientes before you take the bus or hike up the mountain. If you also want to climb Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain, book special tickets through the government website for Machu Picchu. Students receive a discount.

Bring lunch, water and an information booklet, as there are few facilities on the mountain. Aim to arrive just before sunrise to see Machu Picchu lit in full glory.

Taypikala Boutique Machupicchu
Taypikala Boutique Machupicchu
4 out of 5
Av. Pachacutec #808, Machu Picchu, Cusco
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Machu Picchu. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
"Great location , great staff"

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

Taypikala Boutique Machupicchu
Tierra Viva Machu Picchu
Tierra Viva Machu Picchu
3.5 out of 5
Av. Hermanos Ayar 401, Machu Picchu, Cusco
The price is HK$1,830 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
HK$1,830
HK$2,014 total
4 Aug - 5 Aug
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Machu Picchu. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free train station pick-up. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
"Nice hotel, but the zone has nothing around."

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

Tierra Viva Machu Picchu
Gringo Bill's Boutique Hotel
Gringo Bill's Boutique Hotel
3 out of 5
Jiron Colla Raymi 104, Machu Picchu, Cusco
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Machu Picchu. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free train station pick-up. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
7.8/10 Good! (385 reviews)
"The service was fast. Breakfast was nice."

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

Gringo Bill's Boutique Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Suites Machupicchu
Suites Machupicchu
2.5 out of 5
Calle Wiracocha, 205, Machu Picchu, Machupicchu
Stay at this aparthotel in Machu Picchu. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and onsite spa services. Popular attractions Aguas Calientes Hot Springs and Manco ...
6.4/10 (13 reviews)
"Nice reception nice room recommend"

Reviewed on 21 Jun 2025

Suites Machupicchu
Rockrivers Machupicchu Peru B&B
Rockrivers Machupicchu Peru B&B
Aguas Calientes
Stay at this vacation home in Machu Picchu. Enjoy a beach locale, laundry facilities, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Aguas Calientes Hot ...
Rockrivers Machupicchu Peru B&B
Pablos House in Machu Picchu Matrimonial
Pablos House in Machu Picchu Matrimonial
Machu Picchu
Stay at this apartment in Machu Picchu. Popular attractions Aguas Calientes Hot Springs and Three Windows Temple are located nearby.
Pablos House in Machu Picchu Matrimonial
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Machu Picchu

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
6
5 - Excellent 75%
4 - Good
1
4 - Good 13%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 13%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

One of those places that cannot be over-hyped, it's just incredible. Get there when it opens at 6am and avoid the crowds and day trippers. Highly recommend getting a guide (my hotel organised a very good guide for me, his name was Wagner).

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Exceeded expectation...wonderful place.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

One of the wonders of the world, a must see. Take a guide, you understand so much more than wandering around.