Machu Picchu Heritage Site | Discover Peru’s Ancient Inca Wonder

Machu Picchu Heritage Site (from the ancient Quechua language) is the new name of the ancient Inca stone town.

It is situated at a little over 2,300 meters, amid the mountains on a steep slope like Cerro Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu, and Putucusi. The Urubamba River also surrounds it near the Amazon jungle.

The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is 130 kilometers northwest of Cusco, on the crest of Machu Picchu hill.

Machu Picchu is one of the most visited tourist destinations on the planet. It is considered one of the most important archeological sites and is harmonious with nature worldwide.

The sacred city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, and it enchanted all travelers with its majesty, architecture, construction, beauty, and mystical atmosphere.

All Machu Picchu Heritage Site buildings follow the classical Inca architectural style.

On July 7, 2007, Machu Picchu was declared one of the New Seven Wonders of the Modern World at a ceremony held in Lisbon, Portugal, with 100 million votes from around the world. In December 2012, the World Travel Awards (WTA) awarded it the Best Green Destination globally. Cusco was chosen as the best city in Latin America, and Peru was selected as the best culinary destination globally.

THE PEOPLE OF MACHU PICCHU (Aguas Calientes)

Aguas Calientes is the name of the town of Machu Picchu, alluding to the area’s thermal and medicinal waters.

This locality serves as a base of operations for travelers who visit Machu Picchu and want to rest after visiting the archaeological site, Jardines de Mandor, the mountains Putucusi, Huayna Picchu, and Machu Picchu.

It is also the arrival point for travelers who have chosen to reach Machu Picchu via one of the treks offered by tour operators, such as the traditional Inca Trail, Salkantay, or Lares.

In Aguas Calientes, you can enjoy a relaxing bath in the Hot Springs and perform other activities offered by this beautiful place full of magic and mystery.

Aguas Calientes is a compendium of hotel hostels, restaurants, bars, and other tourist places. One of its great attractions is its markets, mainly selling fruits and vegetables. These markets allow travelers to learn about various products and experience delicious flavors.

Before going to Machu Picchu, it is advisable to exchange currency in Cusco for the Nuevo Sol Peruano (local currency), as many businesses in Machu Picchu only accept Nuevos Soles. When changing dollars or euros, the government does so by devaluing the currency.

Other foreign currencies are less likely to be accepted, and the same is true for the dollar or the euro when finding a place that accepts them.

We recommend you keep this in mind to avoid any mishaps.

In the archaeological zone, there are small shops where you can buy sandwiches for 15 dollars (approximately). These are usually not nutritious, so the ideal excursion to Machu Picchu is to bring plenty of fruits and vegetables in your backpack to enjoy a picnic while taking in the incredible scenery and surrounding nature.

Not leaving trash or leftover food is essential, as failure to do so can result in a sanction. The security personnel at the archaeological site of Machu Picchu travel to various areas at all times, ensuring that visitors respect and care for the sacred city.

• Entrance fee to the Machu Picchu Heritage Site.
• Rates for Buses for the ascent and descent to Machu Picchu
• Rates for Machu Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain.