Machu Picchu Tour

Machu Picchu: A visit to the iconic ruins of Machu Picchu is the highlight of any trip to Peru. Discover the fascinating history of the site, explore the Temple of the Sun and take in sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. This visit is included in all of our Peru journeys.

Huayna Picchu: Climb Huayna Picchu for spectacular views over the Machu Picchu ruins and the dramatic landscape around them.

Huchuy Picchu: The Huchuy Picchu mountain offers a lesser-known yet equally impressive hike. It is a quieter alternative to Huayna Picchu, with stunning panoramic views as well.

During the years when the Inca Empire was at its height (1471–1525), Copernicus was born, Michelangelo was commissioned to paint the Sistine Chapel, and Magellan first set anchor in South America.

“Machu Picchu” was not the name the Incas gave to the site. Hiram Bingham was told the name “Machu Picchu” by a local farmer in the Quechua language – a term meaning “old peak” or “old mountain”.

The Inca Empire was the largest empire in the history of South America. At its peak, it controlled a vast part of the continent and ruled over around 12 million people. Only about 300 to 1,000 people lived at Machu Picchu itself, most of whom were members of the Inca nobility.

Machu Picchu was built without the use of mortar. Using a technique known as ashlar masonry, the stones were cut into precise shapes so they fit together perfectly – so accurately that not even the blade of a knife can slip between them.

Hundreds of terraces below the citadel prevent it from sliding down the mountainside. These andenes, or agricultural platforms, were an Inca farming technique that allowed them to master the steep Andean terrain and cultivate crops such as maize, potatoes, quinoa and coca.

Machu Picchu also served as an astronomical observation site. The sacred Intihuatana stone was used as a clock and calendar, with the sun aligning directly above it at the equinoxes and illuminating it during the summer solstice. This helped the Incas determine the best times for planting and harvesting.

The vegetation surrounding the site is lush and diverse, including more than 300 species of orchids.

Llamas roam freely among the ruins, and this animal was also sacred to the Incas. Some parts of the site are shaped like a llama, and evidence of ritual llama sacrifices has been found in the temples.