Machu Picchu Travel Guide

Machu Picchu, the 15th-century Inca citadel perched on an Andean ridge 80 kilometres northwest of Cusco at 2,430 metres, is Peru's greatest wonder. The dry-stone walls of the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana and the Temple of the Three Windows still fit so tightly that no mortar was needed. Arrive at dawn to watch the mist lift over the Urubamba Valley, and book your timed, name-dated ticket well in advance.

The Temple of the Sun is the most sacred structure at Machu Picchu, crowning the Inca citadel with its curved, perfectly fitted stone walls—no mortar was used. On the June solstice, sunlight enters through a window and illuminates the altar, evidence of the Incas' astronomical mastery. Inside is a carved rock thought to mark the winter solstice, while below lie the Royal Tomb's ceremonial caves. Seen against the surrounding peaks, the temple embodies Inca reverence for the sun and the Andean landscape.

Machu Picchu, meaning 'Old Peak' in Quechua, is the most iconic citadel of the Inca Empire, perched about 2,430 m above sea level in the Andes of Cusco, Peru. Built in the 15th century and later abandoned, this 'Lost City of the Incas' is famed for its masterful dry-stone walls, terraces and ceremonial structures. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983 and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, its highlights include the Intihuatana (hitching post of the sun), the Temple of the Three Windows and the Royal Sector. Arrive via scenic train from Cusco or Aguas Calientes and enter through the Sun Gate (Intipunku) for a sweeping view of the terraces above the Urubamba Valley. Plan at least half a day to explore.

The Temple of the Condor is one of Machu Picchu's most symbolic structures, carved into a single boulder in the Sacred Rock district. Its outspread "wings" and a grooved basin form the outline of a condor in flight — the bird Andean peoples revered as the lord of the sky. A cave beneath is thought to have held prisoners or served sacrificial rites. Watch your footing on the steep Inca stairs. Best appreciated with a guide who explains the site's religious significance.

The Sacred Rock is a boulder at the north end of Machu Picchu, its outline mirroring Huayna Picchu, a symbol of Inca mountain worship.

Huayna Picchu is the iconic peak behind Machu Picchu; the steep climb rewards hikers with a full view of the Inca citadel and the Urubamba valley, plus little-known ruins at the summit.