Machu Picchu's location alone (an Inca citadel built along a mountain ridge above the Urubamba River, frequently wreathed in cloud) would justify its fame even without the near-perfect preservation of its stonework, achieved without mortar, that has survived over 500 years of earthquakes.
Getting There and Timing
Most visitors reach Machu Picchu by train from Cusco or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, then bus up to the site itself, book train and entry tickets (both capped daily) well in advance, especially for peak dry season between May and September.
The classic four-day Inca Trail trek, ending at the Sun Gate for a first glimpse of the ruins at sunrise, requires permits booked months ahead through licensed operators, as daily trekker numbers are strictly limited.
Cusco and the Sacred Valley
Cusco, the former Inca capital, is worth two or three days in its own right, colonial churches built directly atop Inca foundations, and a compact old town best explored slowly given the city's high altitude (over 3,400 metres).
The Sacred Valley, between Cusco and Machu Picchu, holds its own significant Inca sites at lower altitude, Ollantaytambo and Pisac both make worthwhile stops to help acclimatise before continuing to Machu Picchu itself.
Recommended Stay · Machu Picchu · Adjacent to the Ruins
Belmond Sanctuary Lodge
The only hotel directly at the entrance to Machu Picchu, allowing guests to enter before the day-trip crowds arrive by train and bus from the valley below.
