Translating as “Old Peak”, Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel perched on a mountain ridge above the Sacred Valley. It’s one of the most famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites in South America and was only discovered by the outside world in 1911.

Discover why Machu Picchu has been designated one of the New Seven Wonders of the World as you explore the stone-built structures of the Sacred Plaza, the Temple of the Three Windows and the Temple of the Sun. Soak up stunning views across the archaeological site from the Sun Gate or climb to the top of Huayna Picchu for a completely different perspective.

Learn about Machu Picchu’s construction as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti and the theories behind its abandonment during the Spanish Conquest. One of the most popular ways to visit the archaeological site is along the Inca Trail, which is a multi-day trek that traverses the spectacular Sacred Valley.

Getting there

Machu Picchu is a 30-minute bus ride from Aguas Calientes, where trains arrive after a 3.5-hour journey from Cusco. Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport is a 10-minute drive from the centre of Cusco.