Discover the Wonders of Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is located in the Eastern Cordillera of southern Peru, 80 kilometres northwest from the city of Cusco. The citadel sits at an altitude of 2,430 m / 7,972 ft, above the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It is accesible by train from Cusco or the Sacred Valley or by one of the many famous hikes to Machu Picchu.

It is still uncertain who built the citadel, however it is widely believed by archaeologists and historians, that the Inca Emperor Pachacútec built it during his reign in the years 1438 to 1471. Due to its hidden location in the Andean jungle, Machu Picchu remained undiscovered by the Spanish conquerors, making it one of the only unspoiled Inca sites left in the region. Infact it was not rediscovered until 1911, when the American archaeologist Hiram Bingham encountered it on an expedition.

By the year 1976, 30% of Machu Picchu had been restored, with much of the restoration work still ongoing. In 1981 Machu Picchu was declared a ‘Historical Sanctuary of Peru’ and has been on the Unesco World Heritage List since 1983. Its most famous title, however, was awarded to it on the July 7, 2007, when Machu Picchu was declared one of the seven wonders of the modern world. The inauguration ceremony was held in Lisbon (Portugal), after one hundred million voters from around the world participated in the vote.

Today Machu Picchu is one of the most famous tourist sites in the world and still holds many mysteries about its origin. One thing is certain however, it is widely agreed that the legendary ruins are a masterpiece of Inca engineering and architecture.

Here we present a guide explaining the wonders found inside the citadel of Machu Picchu:

The Citadel:

The citadel of Machu Picchu is the main tourist attraction in the Cusco Region. It is a huge archaeological complex that consists of several temples, plazas, squares and ancient houses that are distributed throughout the different levels of the mountain. The highlights of the site are the Temple of the Sun, the Central Plaza and the Temple of the Three Windows. To ensure you are able to visit the primary sites within the complex, be sure to review the different Machu Picchu Circuits so that you know which areas are accesible with your entrance ticket.

The Inca Trail:

The famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the principal attractions of Peru. Known locally as the ‘Camino Inca’, it consists of a network of ancient Inca paths that lead to the lost city of the Inca’s through the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. The ‘Classic 4-day Inca Trail‘ is considered to be 1 of the 10 best hikes in the world, and is a 43 km (26 mile) route starting from the check point at Kilometre 82. The trail is notoriously challenging as it ascends and descends over the Andes Mountains, through Amazonian cloud forests and alongside ancient archaeological centers. Therefore, physical ability and thorough preparation, both mentally and logistically is recommended.

The ‘Short Inca Trail’ is a 2-day excursion, starting at the checkpoint of Kilometre 102. The 13km trail takes you on a journey through Inca history, visiting the impressive sites of Chachabamba and Wiñayhuayna, before culminating at the famous panoramic viewpoint atop the Inti Punku Sun Gate. The 2-day tour treats you to not one, but two chances to get to know Machu Picchu, with the in-depth guided tour of the Inca citadel taking place on day 2.

Due to the prestige and popularity of the Inca Trail, we strongly recommend that you book your place in advance and start preparing yourself for the challenge ahead. 

Machu Picchu Mountain:

Machu Picchu Mountain is located on opposing side of the citadel of Machu Picchu than Huayna Picchu Mountain. The 2-kilometre ascent to this mountain is far less steep, but the view of the sanctuary of Machu Picchu from the top is just as breathtaking. The hike usually takes 3.5 hours up and down, but the path is steady, providing visitors with an enjoyable walk. There are 800 spaces available each day for Machu Picchu Mountain, so we recommend that visitors book in advance to reserve their space on the trail.

The House of the Guardian:

The House of the Guardian is an impressive construction located at the entrance of the citadel of Machu Picchu. It is a three-story building that is made up of small stones and adobe with a wild straw roof. As its name suggests, it and once served as a resting place and accommodation for the Inca guards. The view from the terrace of the House of the Guardian is impressive and is an ideal place to take souvenir photos of the citadel.

The Inca Bridge:

The Inca Bridge is an ancient structure that is made up of a few narrow logs perched above a sheer vertical drop stretching over the Urubamba River. It is a masterpiece of engineering, carved in protruding rocks embedded in the hillside. It is one of the last existing bridges that were part of the network of roads of the Qhapaqñan and is believed to have served as a secret entrance to Machu Picchu. Crossing the bridge itself is strictly forbidden today for safety reasons, but visitors can hike to its viewpoint and can take as many photos as you like. 

The Temple of the Sun:

The Temple of the Sun is one of the most sacred temples in all of Machu Picchu. Adapted to the natural environment, the unique semi-circular construction of the temple is built over an enormous granite rock. In this sacred temple, it’s believed that Incas worshipped their Sun God, with only priests and other high-ranking Incas permitted to access. This temple was built to worship the sun god and has a special window that aligns with the sun’s rays during the solstices. It is believed that the temple could also have served as a solar observatory, ceremonial sacrifice center, or mausoleum. 

The Main Temple:

The Main Temple is made up of three stone walls and a platform in the center. Researchers believe this is where most important religious ceremonies in the citadel were held. It is located in the heart of the religious sector, right in front of the so-called ‘Sacred Square’. All the structures within Machu Picchu had their central axis in the Main Temple. However unfortunately today, due to the passage of time and seismic movements, the temple is damaged on one of its banks.

The Temple of the Three Windows:

The Temple of the Three Windows gets its name from the three large trapezoidal windows that adorn its walls. These windows are finely crafted, with precisely cut stone blocks fitting seamlessly together. The windows are positioned at different angles, allowing light to enter the temple from multiple directions throughout the day, especially during the solstices and equinoxes. The strategic placement of the windows is believed to have had astronomical and ceremonial significance. The interior of the Temple is relatively small and houses a small stone altar or platform, which could have been used for ceremonial purposes. The precision of the construction and the placement of the windows showcase the advanced engineering and architectural skills of the Inca civilization.

The Intihuatana:

The Intihuatana is better known as the solar clock of the Incas. It is a grand lithic monolith carved into the shape of a polygon, situated on top of the citadel of Machu Picchu. It is believed that it was used to measure the movement of the sun during the solstices as its different faces cast shadows in relation to the movement of the sun and the different seasons of the year. The Incas considered it a sacred place and believed that it had spiritual powers since the rock radiates energy.

The Temple of the Condor:

The Temple of the Condor is an impressive temple dedicated to the Sacred bird of the Incas, and one of the largest birds in the world. The temple is conditioned on a natural cave taking advantage of the living rock of the mountain. The impressive rock formation was crafted and shaped like wings of a huge bird, beneath which, a huge stone has been carved in the shape of the head of the condor.

Huayna Picchu Mountain:

Huayna Picchu is the iconic mountain that sits behind the archaeological site. The one you see in all the ‘postcard’ photos. The narrow Inca trail that leads to the top of the mountain, takes approximately 1-hour to climb and offers visitors a chance to get a bird’s eye view of Machu Picchu from above one of its famous peaks. At the top of Huayna Picchu there is a small archaeological site called the Temple of the Moon and a spectacular panoramic view of the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.

Tickets for Huayna Picchu Mountain are limited to 400 people per day and are popular amongst visitors of Machu Picchu. For this reason, we recommend booking tickets in advance to ensure you get the bucket list moment you are hoping for.

Machu Picchu is an impressive place that offers a perfect combination of history, culture, adventure and impressive landscapes. If you are planning to visit Peru, you cannot miss visiting this incredible citadel. Discover the wonders of Machu Picchu and live an unforgettable experience!