A mountain towers through the mist, which blankets the landscape.
The further you go, the more intense the silhouette becomes.
The green terraces and stone settlement suddenly emerge, while the sunrise paints the sky with its fairytale palette.
You have reached the Inca city –
Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu is the ruins of a well-preserved ancient Inca city in the mountains of Peru.
Attracting thousands of visitors each year, Machu Picchu is one of Peru’s absolute top sights.
The name “Machu Picchu” originates from the native language, Quechua, and means “old mountain”. And the ancient ruins certainly enjoy the most scenic location in the mountains.
Machu Picchu is located 2,430 meters above sea level, in the midst of the sumptuous mountainous nature of the Urubamba Valley in the Peruvian Andes, north-west of Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire.
The Inca city, which is now in ruins, is said to have been built in the 15th century by the Incas, who ruled the area in the 15th and 16th centuries.
It is uncertain what purpose Machu Picchu actually served, but there are many theories.
According to some sources, Machu Picchu was a residence for emperors and nobility. While others believe Machu Picchu served a religious purpose and was home to priests and others who had devoted their lives to the Sun God.
No matter who lived there, they did not live there for long.
Around 100 years after the city was built, it was abandoned by the Incas.
There have been many speculations as to why they left the site. Some believe that the people left Machu Picchu due to an outbreak of smallpox, denying that the Inca suffered defeat in a battle against the Spaniards, who began conquering the area in around 1530.
For more than 350 years, the ruin city remained in virtual obscurity.
It wasn’t until 1911 that people across the world heard about the site again, when American archaeologist Hiram Bingham travelled to Peru. A farmer told him about some ruins he called Machu Picchu.
After the discovery, Hiram Bingham told the world about the ruin city, and since then people have flocked to the Inca’s prestigious building complex.
The Inca ruin is a unique example of how the Inca people lived and integrated their homes with nature. From an architectural, engineering and urban planning point of view, Machu Picchu is phenomenal.
For that reason, Machu Picchu became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, and in 2007, the site was again honoured when it was listed as one of the seven new wonders of the world.
The ruins aside, the scenery surrounding the Inca city is also exceptional.
The ruin city in the Andes, surrounded by cloud forest and verdant mountain peaks, is home to 22% of Perus’ flora.
And the wildlife is also diverse.
Around 10% of the wildlife also inhabits the area around Macchu Pichu, including 300 species of butterflies, 400 bird species and 19 reptile species.
Machu Picchu is a unique gem of a place, and a must-see if you are visiting Peru.
See the spectacular ruin city right up close and get a feel for the Inca way of life.
If you are up for more extraordinary experiences, go on a hike along the Inca Trail, which ends in the glow of the sunrise overlooking Machu Picchu.
Lace up your hiking boots and walk the legendary 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The tour also takes you to Lima, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca and the ancient capital of the Incas, Cusco.
Highlights abound on this tour, with visits to Cusco, the ancient Inca ruins of Machu Picchu, the breathtaking Andes Mountains, the vibrant communities around Lake Titicaca, and the charming colonial cities of Lima and Arequipa.
Experience the enchanting charm of Peru from the vibrant capital and coastal city of Lima to the ancient capital of the Incas, Cusco, and let yourself be captivated by the magic of Machu Picchu.
Take a 2-day Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu through the fairy tale landscape of the Andes. You will also discover the Inca capital, Cusco, as well as Lima, Arequipa, Colca Canyon and Lake Titicaca.
Discover the world’s largest rainforest with its unique nature and fascinating wildlife, combined with Peru’s other highlights: Machu Picchu, Cusco, Lake Titicaca, Colca Canyon, Arequipa and Lima.
Experience the Andes on a stunning trek to Salkantay mountain ending at Machu Picchu. You will also visit Lima, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca and the ancient capital of the Incas, Cusco.
Join us on a captivating journey through Peru, where you’ll see the mystical Nazca Lines, encounter wildlife at the Ballestas Islands, marvel at the dramatic depths of Colca Canyon, visit indigenous communities on Lake Titicaca, and explore the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu.
Wonderful experiences await in Peru & Ecuador, with visits to the old Inca capital Cusco, the Inca ruins Machu Picchu, Ecuador’s capital Quito and the fairytale Galapagos Islands with their indescribable wildlife.
Lace up your hiking boots and walk the legendary 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The tour also takes you to Lima, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca and the ancient capital of the Incas, Cusco.
Highlights abound on this tour, with visits to Cusco, the ancient Inca ruins of Machu Picchu, the breathtaking Andes Mountains, the vibrant communities around Lake Titicaca, and the charming colonial cities of Lima and Arequipa.
Experience the enchanting charm of Peru from the vibrant capital and coastal city of Lima to the ancient capital of the Incas, Cusco, and let yourself be captivated by the magic of Machu Picchu.
Take a 2-day Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu through the fairy tale landscape of the Andes. You will also discover the Inca capital, Cusco, as well as Lima, Arequipa, Colca Canyon and Lake Titicaca.
Discover the world’s largest rainforest with its unique nature and fascinating wildlife, combined with Peru’s other highlights: Machu Picchu, Cusco, Lake Titicaca, Colca Canyon, Arequipa and Lima.
Experience the Andes on a stunning trek to Salkantay mountain ending at Machu Picchu. You will also visit Lima, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca and the ancient capital of the Incas, Cusco.
Join us on a captivating journey through Peru, where you’ll see the mystical Nazca Lines, encounter wildlife at the Ballestas Islands, marvel at the dramatic depths of Colca Canyon, visit indigenous communities on Lake Titicaca, and explore the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu.
Wonderful experiences await in Peru & Ecuador, with visits to the old Inca capital Cusco, the Inca ruins Machu Picchu, Ecuador’s capital Quito and the fairytale Galapagos Islands with their indescribable wildlife.
TourCompass – From tourist to traveller
