Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, boasts a wealth of Inca cultural and architectural heritage, countless cultural and natural wonders due to its ecosystem, and its location on a mountaintop—an architectural challenge the Incas successfully conquered.
Machu Picchu is a stone city, built by the Incas around the 15th century and located at 2,360 meters above sea level. The Inca city is surrounded by temples, terraces, and water channels. It is built on top of a mountain and was constructed with large stone blocks joined together without amalgam. It is located 130 km from the city of Cusco and has received numerous titles and recognitions since explorer Hiram Bingham introduced it to the world in 1911.
Machu Picchu is considered a masterpiece of architecture and engineering. Its unique architectural and landscape characteristics, along with the veil of mystery woven around it by much of the literature published on the site, have made it one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet.
This Wonder of the Modern World has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1983, as part of a broader cultural and ecological complex known as the “Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.” On July 7, 2007, Machu Picchu was declared “one of the new seven wonders of the modern world” in a ceremony held in Lisbon, Portugal, attended by one hundred million voters worldwide. And it was chosen as “The World’s Top Tourist Attraction 2017”
Due to all of the above and more, the Inca citadel is visited daily by too many national and international tourists. But once we’ve decided to take the tour to Machu Picchu, the question arises: How to visit Machu Picchu? Or by what?
We already know that there are many routes to visit Machu Picchu, among which we have the only two options: walking or by train.
WALKING:
The routes we can take on foot are the different hikes offered by different tour operators, and we can also do them on our own. Without a doubt, an adventure that will allow us to better connect with nature and is more affordable. Here are the routes we can hike:
TAKE THE INCA TRAIL TOUR:
This is the most famous trek to Machu Picchu, respected and admired by hikers because it combines diverse climates, impressive and unforgettable landscapes of the Vilcabamba Mountains, and ancient ruins. Walking this ancient trail will make you experience one of the most impressive experiences of your life. Due to its beauty, this hike is preferred by travelers, and must be requested 5 to 6 months in advance (a permit is required, with limited daily space).
The Inca Trail tour covers 42 kilometers of jungle and mountains, reaching a maximum altitude of 4,200 meters above sea level and visiting archaeological sites such as Patallacta, the Wiñay Wayna ruins, and, of course, the Wonder of the World, Machu Picchu.
BY TRAIN:
The fastest, most efficient, and safest way to travel from Cusco to Machu Picchu is by train, and to get a train ticket, the most important thing is to book it weeks in advance. To do this, you must visit the official Perú Rail or Inca Rail websites. After completing your personal information, you can make the payment online.
There are 112 kilometers of rail between the city of Cusco and the Puente Ruinas station or Machu Picchu Pueblo. These are the train stations:
OUTBOUND STATIONS:
- Poroy (20 minutes from Cusco)
- Ollantaytambo (2 hours from Cusco)
- Urubamba (1 hour and a half from Cusco)
RETURN STATION:
- Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu Pueblo (this is the only return station)
Machu Picchu Pueblo, also known as Aguas Calientes, is the town located at the foot of the Historic Sanctuary. It is the last arrival point for the train before ascending to the entrance gate of the Inca Citadel.
We can learn more and read more about the topic at: How to buy a train ticket to get to Machu Picchu?
There’s no excuse not to take the tour to Machu Picchu. Visiting this wonderful Inca citadel in any of the two ways (hiking or by train) is undoubtedly one of the best travel decisions we’ll ever make. Some people believe that it takes a lot of money to get to this Wonder of the World, but we realize that there are several ways to explore this place while reducing expenses.
It’s obvious that a great wonder like Machu Picchu, due to its ancient history, is a must-see.
