If mountains could humble-brag, the one hosting Machu Picchu would never shut up. Perched 8,000 feet high in Peru’s Andes, this Incan masterpiece sits between two peaks, wrapped by the Urubamba River. The precision stonework has survived five cent...
Also Known As
The lost city of Incas
Founded On
1450
Founded By
Pachacutec Inca Yupanqui
ADDRESS
08680, Peru
RECOMMENDED DURATION
3 hours
Timings
06:00–17:00
VISITORS PER YEAR
1600000
TICKETS
From S/ 205.20
EXPECTED WAIT TIME - STANDARD
30-60 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)
UNESCO YEAR
1983
Did you know?
The Intihuatana Stone is an ancient Incan sundial that aligns perfectly with the sun during solstices. It was likely used for astronomical and ritual purposes.
The Incas transported and shaped massive stones for Machu Picchu’s construction without the use of wheels, iron tools, or draft animals!
The Incas constructed Machu Picchu using a technique called “ashlar,” where stones were cut so precisely that they fit together without mortar.
Official name: Machu Picchu
Location: Andes Mountains, Peru
Date of construction: Around 1450 AD
Timings: 6am to 5.30pm (varies with route)
Altitude: 2,430 meters (7,970 feet) above sea level
UNESCO World Heritage Site: Declared in 1983
Total area: 35,592 hectares
Number of visitors per year: Over 1.5 million
Owned by: Government of Peru
Every great city needs an impressive entrance, and Machu Picchu’s City Gate was both a security checkpoint and a statement piece. With massive stone blocks fitted so precisely that you couldn’t slide a credit card between them, this was the Incan way of saying, “You shall not pass”—unless you were invited, of course.
Perched on the highest point of the citadel, this stone masterpiece wasn’t just a fancy rock—it was the Incas' astronomical clock. The name means "Hitching Post of the Sun," because they literally believed it tethered the sun to the sky. Who needs modern calendars when you have a sacred boulder with cosmic powers?
Fit for Incan royalty, this palace boasts the finest stonework and a prime location in the city’s religious sector. This palace was a status symbol before status symbols were a thing! The tomb below hints at the Incan reverence for their rulers—even in the afterlife.
An open-air burial site where nobles and priests were laid to rest, proving that even in death, the Incas had a prime real estate spot with a view. The Funerary Rock—perched dramatically on a hillside—was likely used for ritual mummifications.
Machu Picchu’s spiritual heart, this open plaza is where the city’s most sacred structures huddle together, like an elite club of mystical powerhouses. Expect giant stone foundations, a commanding presence, and the feeling that you are in the presence of something truly sacred.
This was the Incan version of an exclusive convent—home to the most skilled weavers, priestesses, and women dedicated to the gods. If you lived here, you were either training for divine service or producing some seriously high-end textiles. A mix of power, faith, and craftsmanship all in one.
One of the few round structures in Machu Picchu, this temple is where the Incas worshipped Inti, their sun god. During the solstice, sunlight perfectly aligns through its windows onto a sacred stone—because the Incas were the original astronomers, without the telescopes.
Look closely, and you’ll see a giant stone condor spreading its wings—because the Incas really knew how to carve with flair. This temple symbolized the connection between earth and sky, and may have also doubled as a sacrificial site.
This cozy, finely crafted room was fit for a princess—literally. The name "Ñusta" means princess, and while historians aren’t 100% sure who lived here, it was clearly someone important. Think of it as the Incan version of a royal suite, minus the room service.
Perched at the entrance to the city, this was the ultimate security booth with the best panoramic views. The Guardian (or whoever lived here) had the perfect spot to keep an eye on travelers, approaching threats, and clueless tourists who wandered off the beaten paths.
The Incas didn’t just build a city—they engineered an entire food system into the mountainside. These impressive terraces prevented erosion, optimized drainage, and kept crops thriving. Basically, the Incas were farming geniuses long before sustainable agriculture was a buzzword.
A workshop zone where the Incas probably made everything from pottery to tools. Think of it as Machu Picchu’s industrial district, minus the pollution and modern machinery. This is where the magic of everyday life happened, proving that even the most mystical places needed a functional workspace.
This temple has—you guessed it—three massive windows, symbolizing the Incan worldview of the underworld, the earth, and the heavens. It’s a stunning blend of simplicity and symbolism, and honestly, it’s hard not to be impressed by the precision of these ancient architects.
Jail time, Inca-style. This section had underground dungeons and stone enclosures, proving that even in paradise, you couldn’t break the rules. Whether it was for actual prisoners or ritual sacrifices is still up for debate, but either way—this wasn’t the part of town you wanted to end up in.
The crown jewel of Machu Picchu’s religious sites, this temple was all about grandeur and worship. With huge stone blocks carefully placed in classic Incan fashion (no mortar, just perfection), this was the city’s ultimate sacred space. Standing here, you can almost hear the echoes of ancient ceremonies.
Fancy a thrill with your history? The Inka Bridge is a narrow stone path hugging a sheer cliffside, with a strategically removable section—because ancient security systems were hardcore. One wrong step, and it’s straight down into the Urubamba River, which is probably why only the bravest messengers and nobles dared cross it. Good luck keeping your knees from shaking!
Machu Picchu wasn’t built by aliens, despite what your conspiracy-loving uncle might say. This masterpiece of stone and sky was crafted by the Incas in the 15th century, most likely under the rule of Pachacuti, the empire’s ambitious expansionist emperor. Think of him as the ultimate real estate mogul of the Andes. His engineers, who clearly had no fear of heights, chiseled massive granite stones—without mortar!—to create a city that could withstand earthquakes and centuries of rain. The Incas weren’t just great builders; they were masters of blending architecture with nature, making Machu Picchu both a fortress and a work of art.
Every stone, terrace, and temple here had a purpose. The Incas divided their city with precision—temples and sacred sites at the top, living quarters in the middle, and the agricultural terraces hugging the edges, both to feed the residents and to keep the whole thing from sliding down the mountain. Their belief in Pachamama (Mother Earth) meant their buildings flowed with the land, not against it. No iron tools, no wheels—just sheer skill, carving stones that locked together so tightly they didn’t even need mortar. And those signature trapezoidal doors and windows? The ultimate earthquake-proof design, centuries ahead of its time.
It means “Old Mountain” in Quechua, the language of the Incas. It’s pretty cool to think that it’s still standing strong while modern buildings are crumbling!
The Incas were a South American civilization that, at their peak in the early 16th century, established the largest empire in pre-Columbian America. Originating in the Peruvian highlands around the early 13th century, they expanded their territory through military conquest and diplomacy, creating a realm that extended from northern Ecuador to central Chile. Renowned for their advanced engineering, agriculture, and architectural prowess, the Incas developed a complex society with a centralized administration based in Cusco.
Machu Picchu was likely a royal estate or religious site for Incan elites. Its remote location helped it remain hidden from Spanish conquerors, preserving it for generations. The site's precise stone constructions and sophisticated terracing systems reflect its role as a cultural, religious, and possibly administrative center.
The Incas employed ingenious methods to construct Machu Picchu, utilizing locally sourced materials and manual labor. They practiced a technique known as ashlar masonry, meticulously cutting stones to fit together without mortar.
The dry season (May to September) offers clear views, while the rainy season (November to March) has fewer crowds.
You may spot llamas, spectacled bears, and various bird species, including Andean condors.
Peruvian Sol (PEN) is the official currency, but some places accept US dollars.