Machu Picchu - The Lost City of the Incas
Early entrance, private expert guides, and luxury train service - the definitive Machu Picchu experience, exactly as you've always imagined it.
Machu Picchu: The Wonder That Never Disappoints
Machu Picchu is one of the most celebrated places on Earth - a 15th-century Inca citadel perched on a narrow ridge 2,430 meters above sea level, encircled by vertiginous peaks and cloud forest. Built during the reign of Emperor Pachacuti around 1450 CE and abandoned less than a century later, it remained unknown to the outside world until 1911, when American historian Hiram Bingham brought it to international attention. For four hundred years, it existed only in the memory of the communities who knew it, and never mentioned it.
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 and power that no photograph fully captures. Standing within the citadel, surrounded by perfectly fitted stone walls with the cloud forest falling away on every side, is an experience that changes people. We have witnessed it happen hundreds of times.
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
Machu Picchu: The Wonder That Never Disappoints
Machu Picchu divides broadly into two zones: the agricultural sector, with its dramatic terraces visible in most photographs, and the urban sector, home to the temples, palaces, and residential quarters. A private guided visit typically lasts three to four hours, revealing the site's layout, engineering, and meaning in a sequence designed for genuine understanding - not a rushed checklist.
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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
he 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 experience Machu Picchu through carefully curated private journeys that reveal the citadel's timeless grandeur. Whether arriving by luxury train through the Sacred Valley or trekking the legendary Inca Trail, each itinerary offers a distinct perspective on this UNESCO World Heritage Site - privately guided, expertly paced, and designed to reveal its full spiritual and historical depth.
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 scenery 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 a profound connection to Peru's history and spirit."
"Our specialists will design a private itinerary that immerses you fully in the wonder of Machu Picchu, seamlessly linking your visit with the Sacred Valley and Cusco.