Machu Picchu
"The Lost City of the Incas"
Early entrance, private expert guides, luxury train service, and zero compromises - the Machu Picchu experience you've always imagined.
Machu Picchu: The Wonder That Never Disappoints
Machu Picchu is one of the most celebrated places on earth - a 15th-century Inca citadel set on a narrow ridge 2,430 meters above sea level, surrounded by vertiginous mountain peaks and swathed in cloud forest. Built during the reign of the Inca emperor Pachacuti around 1450 CE and apparently abandoned less than a century later, Machu Picchu lay unknown to the outside world until 1911, when American historian Hiram Bingham led an expedition that revealed it to international attention. The word 'lost' is entirely appropriate: for 400 years, it existed only in the memory of local communities who knew it simply as a place not to be mentioned.
Today, Machu Picchu is Peru's most visited destination and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World - yet it retains an atmosphere of mystery, power, and extraordinary beauty that no description or photograph fully prepares you for. Standing within the citadel, surrounded by the perfectly fitted stone walls of temples and palaces, with the cloud forest falling away on every side and the mountains rising above, is an experience that changes people. We have seen it happen hundreds of times.
Lima is the ideal starting point for any Peru itinerary, offering convenient international connections, acclimatization at sea level before ascending to the Andes, and a concentration of extraordinary experiences within a compact, highly navigable city.
Location
Elevation
Built
Recognized
Visitor Cap
Access
Nearby Hotel
Cusco Region · 80 km northwest of Cusco city
2,430 m above sea level (lower than Cusco)
circa 1450 CE · Reign of Inca Emperor Pachacuti
UNESCO (1983) · New Seven Wonders (2007)
Timed entry system · Limited tickets · Booking required
Train from Cusco + bus from Aguas Calientes
Belmond Sanctuary Lodge
What to See Inside Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu divides broadly into two zones: the agricultural sector (the dramatic terraces visible in most photographs) and the urban sector (the temples, palaces, and residential areas). A private guided visit typically lasts 3–4 hours and covers the principal sectors in a logical sequence that reveals the site's organization and meaning.
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Temple of the Sun - The most sacred structure, aligned with the winter solstice sunrise
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Intihuatana Stone - A ritual stone believed to have astronomical and calendrical functions
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Sacred Plaza & Three Windows Temple - The ceremonial heart of the citadel
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Royal Palace - The private apartments of the Inca emperor
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Condor Temple - A rock formation sculpted to represent the Andean condor
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Agricultural terraces - 60+ levels descending 400 meters on three sides of the ridge
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Sun Gate (Inti Punku) - The original Inca Trail entrance · 45 min walk from the citadel
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Huayna Picchu - The iconic mountain peak above the citadel · optional 2h climb.
How to Get to Machu Picchu
By Train - The Most Scenic Route
The train journey from Ollantaytambo (Sacred Valley) or Cusco to Aguas Calientes is one of the most scenic rail routes in the world - descending through dramatic Andean cloud forest as the mountains close in around the narrow Urubamba canyon. Epic Andean works with Peru Rail and Inca Rail to secure the best available service: the Vistadome panoramic train with large windows, or the legendary Belmond Hiram Bingham - a luxury Pullman train with gourmet dining, live music, and an open bar, considered one of the world's great train journeys.
By Trekking - The Inca Trail
The Classic Inca Trail is a 4-day trek from the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu, following the original Inca stone-paved path through cloud forest, high mountain passes, and a sequence of archaeological sites, arriving at the Sun Gate above Machu Picchu at dawn on the fourth day. Permits are strictly limited to 500 people per day and must be booked months in advance. Epic Andean also offers the Salkantay Trek (5 days, higher altitude, more challenging) and the Lares Trek (4 days, more cultural focus) as alternative approaches.
Suggested Tours to Machu Picchu
Epic Andean invites you to explore Machu Picchu through carefully curated tours that highlight the citadel’s timeless grandeur. Whether arriving by train through the Sacred Valley or trekking the legendary Inca Trail, each journey offers a unique perspective on this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Guided visits reveal the mysteries of its temples, terraces, and panoramic views, ensuring travelers experience the spiritual and cultural essence of Peru’s most iconic destination.
Lima to Machu Picchu Cultural Journey
Signature Peru: Coast, Andes & Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Machu Picchu
Begin Your Machu Picchu Journey with Epic Andean
Machu Picchu embodies the majesty of the Andes, blending breathtaking mountain landscapes with the enduring legacy of the Inca civilization. From ancient terraces and sacred temples to panoramic viewpoints above the Urubamba River, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers travelers a profound connection to Peru’s history and spirit.
Our specialists will design a personalized itinerary that immerses you in the wonder of Machu Picchu and seamlessly links your visit with other remarkable destinations across the Sacred Valley and Cusco.