Where is Machu Picchu located?

Where is Machu Picchu located you may ask? This is a great question and the answer is not that hard. But first a few Machu Picchu facts, Machu Picchu was built by the Incas many centuries ago and remained hidden for hundreds of years until the early 20th Century when an American explorer named Hiram Bingham stumbled upon the site with the help of a local farm boy. It is noted that he was actually looking for a fictional city of gold but found Machu Picchu instead. Nobody is a 100 percent sure why the Inca built the sacred site on the side of the mountain, but it is said that they abandoned Machu Picchu because of the difficulty in getting water to the site. It is also said that they only used the Machu Picchu for 100 years.

If you want to visit Machu Picchu you will have to travel to the Inca City of Cusco a short flight from the Capital of Lima. Once in Cusco, the site of Machu Picchu is located North West of Cusco on the side of a mountain deep in the Andes Mountains around 110 kilometres from Cusco, above the Vilcabamba River. The views from the ruins of the Andes and the river are nothing short of spectacular. If you are lucky, you can get a clear view and the sun will be shining. Once you are in Cusco it is the starting point for all tours to Machu Picchu and there are several ways to get to Machu Picchu.

This most popular way to get to Machu Picchu and if you are short on time is by train and there are several different train options. If you are on a budget take the Expedition Train, this is the most popular with tourists that want to travel to Machu Picchu for the day. This clean and comfortable train will take you through the Sacred Valley of the Inkas and past the high peaks of the Andes Mountain range. The next option is the Vistadome Train, traveling to Machu Picchu on the Vistadome train is a one in a lifetime experience as the roof the carriage has glass panels allowing you the best view of the mountains and the Sacred Valley while traveling in comfortable leather seats. If money is no option why not travel in the luxurious Hiram Bingham train, complete with meals, drinks and entertainment this train is perfect for the train lovers.

The next way to visit Machu Picchu is one of the many different treks available. There are treks from 2 to 8 days and travel on many different routes. The most popular is the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This 4-day trek passes many different ruins and cloud forests and has many challenging high passes before arriving into Machu Picchu on day 4.

Apart from the Inca Trail you might also like to challenge yourself with the many other different treks from the city of Cusco, for example the 5-day Salkantay Trek equally as challenging and as beautiful but less popular. There are several other treks to consider so do your research. In recent years there has been an upsurge in people participating in the easy 2-day Inca Trail, this short hike is great for those who want the challenge but are short on time. Even for those who just want to experience part of the Inca Trail, this is a great experience.

Once at the site you will participate in a guided tour, this is the only way to enter Machu Picchu as government regulations state you must have an official guide to visit the ruins. Once inside your guide will give you an informative tour where you will learn the history of the site and some interesting stories to peak your curiosity.

Most catch the train back to Cusco the afternoon after the tour arriving into Cusco in the early evening. Others however stay overnight in Aguas Calientes and enjoy the ambiance of this special little town. The selection of hotels is vast from 3-star budget accommodations to 5-star luxury, there is something for everyone.

Whatever way you choose the visit Machu Picchu the memories will live with you forever. Book a Machu Picchu tour today.

Date: 2025-05-01