Machu Picchu

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The Ancient city of Machu Picchu

Intihuatana Stone

Often referred to as "The Lost City of the Incas", Machu Picchu is one of the most familiar symbols of the Inca Empire. This is one of the most spectacular sets of ruins in the world; a visit to Peru would not be complete without seeing it. Machu Picchu stands 2,430 m above sea-level, in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, in an extraordinarily beautiful setting. It was probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height; its giant walls, terraces and ramps seem as if they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments. The natural setting, on the eastern slopes of the Andes, encompasses the upper Amazon basin with its rich diversity of flora and fauna.

Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is also the end point of the most popular hike in South America, the Inca Trail.

GUIDED TOURS
The guided tour of Machu picchu starts on a path that leads from the bus terminal. The path, built on purpose for tourism, enters the citadel in the section that houses a cluster of rooms near the outer wall. The path continues through a terrace to gain access to the agricultural zone before arriving at the urban area.

THE PLACES YOU MUST SEE IN MACHU PICCHU:
1. Temple of the Sun
2. Huayna Picchu
3. Intihuatana Stone
4. Llaqtapata
5. Gate of the Sun (Intipuncu)
6. Temple of the Three Windows
7. Winawayna
8. Sayacmarca
9. The Ruins of Intipata
10. Puyapatamarca
11. Moon Temple
12. Paucancarcha Ruins

WHERE TO STAY:
Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge

Visiting Machu Picchu isn't cheap. As of March 2009, the entrance fee is 124.00 soles; students with an ISIC pay 61 soles. With the train ticket to Machu Picchu Pueblo, also formerly known as Aguas Calientes at US$98 return and a night's accommodation it easily adds up to over US$200.


Visitors to Machu Picchu typically leave from Cuzco. From there, a visitor has the following options to reach Machu Picchu:

* Train: The most common way is to take the PeruRail train to Machu Picchu in the morning, explore the ruins for a few hours and return to Cusco in the afternoon, though it can be a bit rushed. The train terminates at Puente Ruinas station, where buses take tourists up the mountain to Machu Picchu. The Machu Picchu station is located at Aguas Calientes; this is not the station used by tourists on a day trip. Note: PeruRail's Backpacker train is segregationist in the literal sense. Tourists ride in a posh car, and Peruvians ride in another car farther back, often standing room only.

* On foot: Hiking the Inca Trail is an alternative to get in and a great way to arrive as you first see the city through the Sun Gate (instead of arriving from beneath on the bus). Both the four-day and two-day hikes are controlled by the government. Travelers should be fit enough to walk for days and sleep in tents. A hiker can also follow the train tracks all the way to Machu Picchu. There is only one track leading out of the Machu Picchu train station in Cusco, so its quite simple. It takes about four days, and you only have to pay the entrance fee. Recent regulations require reservations and the hiring of a professional tour guide to accompany you on the hike.

* Bus: From Machu Picchu pueblo Aguas Calientes a traveler can take one of the frequent buses to the ruins (US$7 each way). It is also possible to walk the distance, about 2 hours (8 km).

* Helicopter: Helicopter flights direct into Machu Picchu stopped in the 1970s due to concerns about harm to the ruins. However, a helicopter service from Cusco to Aguas Calientes is available.

* Machupicchu By Car, daily departure by van from Cusco to Machupicchu. $130 per person ($110 student), 2-day/1-night package, including the round-trip; one night at their own hostal (private bathrooms) in Aguas Calientes; one lunch, one dinner, one breakfast; entrance fee to Machupicchu; guided tour; round-trip train ride Hidro-Aguas Calientes. Not included is the $7 bus fare (each way) from Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu.

* You can travel the "back way" (route used by Machupicchu By Car, above) independently from Cusco by taking a bus to Santa Maria, colectivo to Santa Teresa, and proceeding to the hydroelectric train station by foot or van and on to Aguas Calientes by foot or train. Note that hiking the tracks is technically prohibited. Do your research before choosing this route.
http://www.machupicchu.org/machu_picchu_travel_tourist_information.htm




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