Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is one of the world's truly unforgettable sights. The "Lost City of the Incas" sits dramatically on a high Andean ridge, its perfect stone terraces wrapped in cloud forest and mountain mist. A New Seven Wonder of the World, it is the breathtaking centrepiece of any journey through Peru.

Top Things to Do at Machu Picchu

Explore the Inca citadel itself with a guide to understand its temples, terraces and astronomical alignments. For the adventurous, hiking the classic multi-day Inca Trail — or the Salkantay route — to arrive through the Sun Gate is a bucket-list experience.

Most visits begin in Cusco and the Sacred Valley, with their own Inca ruins, markets and colonial towns well worth several days.

Tours Worth Booking

• Machu Picchu day tours from Cusco by train
• Inca Trail and Salkantay multi-day treks
• Sacred Valley ruins and market tours
• Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lake day hikes

Best Time to Visit

The dry season from May to September offers the clearest skies and best trekking conditions — and the biggest crowds. The wet season (November–March) is greener and quieter, though trails can be muddy; the Inca Trail closes each February for maintenance.

Getting Around

Machu Picchu is reached by scenic train from Cusco or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, then a short bus up to the entrance. Entry is by timed ticket with a licensed guide, so booking an organised tour well in advance is essential.