Masterpiece of architecture and engineering declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983 and voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. We are definitely talking about the pride of Peru: Machu Picchu! 

Machu Picchu (“Old Mountain” in quechua) is located 80 km northwest of the city of Cusco. It was revealed to the world in 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham. The citadel was a religious, political and administrative center, in perfect harmony with nature and represents the most important and well-known legacy of the Inca civilization.

I want to share some important facts that nature tourism travelers will love to read: this place is one of the most biological wealth areas in the country and harbors more than 20 Andean and Amazonian ecosystems. The National Archeological Park of Machu Picchu is habitat of (wait for it…) 75 different species of mammals, 444 birds, 14 amphibians, 24 reptiles and 377 butterflies. In addition to this, you can also find more than 400 species of orchids and more than 300 species of trees! Isn’t that great?

Need some charge of energy? It is believed that Machu Picchu is also a source of special energies and that is the reason you can see many people trying to channel energy from different spots of the citadel as the Intihuatana -designed as an astronomic clock or calendar by the Incas-, the Sacred Rock -a granite block surrounded by an altar for the worship of sacred mountains- and the Condor Temple -ceremonial area-.

Which is the easiest way to get to Machu Picchu? Definitely, by train but if you like hiking and adventure is your passion, you have to try the famous Inca Trail. It is worth the challenge because of the wonderful views of the highlands and the adventure of walking the same path as the Incas walked in the past.

If you are planning to visit Machu Picchu, I strongly recommend spending one night in Aguas Calientes town. This way you will have a guided tour the first day and you can discover the citadel on your own the next day. It is also recommendable to hike the Huayna Picchu Mountain, very early in the morning, in order to get a stunning and unique view of the citadel from the top of this mountain.

Have you been to Machu Picchu? Leave us a message and tell us about your experience.