Machupicchu - Cusco

Machupicchu, one of the World wonders, is very famous by its stone constructions, reflect of the Inca civilisation. It is the most visited place in the world by its beautiful landscapes including: terraces, waterfalls, streams, stone stairs and impressive historic places

It is located 116 Km away from Cusco in Urabamba province. It was built about on the middle of XV century. The main attractions inside the citadel are its constructions. Many people believe that they were religious sanctuaries and had ceremonial purposes.

Machupicchu has two areas, the agricultural and the urban one(or citadel).

The agricultural area is surrounded by terraces, covered by slopes with abundant vegetation. The main places to visit are: La Roca Funeraria, Puestos de Vigilancia, Recinto de los Diez Vano.

Inside the urban area, Machupicchu citadel is located among exuberant landscapes. It is a historic and cultural sanctuary formed by palaces, temples, houses, deposits, and buildings. All of them are connected by narrow roads or stone steps.  In this area, there are historic places like:

Temple of Sun (Templo Sol): It is a semicircular construction on granite rock. Inside there are two windows and a fine carved gate.

The Room of the Three Windows (El Templo de las Tres Ventanas): It is located to the east of Main Square; you can appreciate two beautiful windows. It was built with enormous carved polyhedrons.

The Main Temple: It is located to the north of sacred square; has three walls. On the foot of the main one, there is a sculpted stone that was an altar.

El Intiwatana: It is on the hill amd is composed by some retaining terraces. In the middle there is a quadrangular prism, 36 metres high. It is believed that Intiwatana was used for measuring time (by sunlight and shade effects) and as altar.

Industrial Quarter: It is believed that, people who lived there were dedicated to housework and handmade activities, because there were mortars inside a room.

Surrounding Machupicchu

Surroundings there are archaeological places as: Intipuncu, Temple of the Moon, Waynapicchu and The Lifting Bridge.

Intipiuncu is an important archaeological place; in Quechua means gate of sun. The altars are the best attraction.

The Moon temple is an impressive architectonic work because of the perfect constructions in two levels. There is a sculpted cave with niches, false doors, encrusted in a rock; it has a fine sculpted gate (eight metres high and six metres wide).

Waynapicchu (it means” Montaña aguja”) was an observatory and a place for worship. On the top, there are big carved stones and people can have spectacular views.

The Lifting Bridge (El Puente Levadizo) is made with trunks incrusted on stone road.
 
Inca Road

It is considered one of the most spectaculars trekking routes in the World. They are at the edge of abyss, in some places the road is carved on the rock.

Arriving to Machupicchu by Inca Road is an unforgettable experience, observing vestiges, terraces, waterfalls, etc.

Climate

It has warm climate, temperatures oscillates between 10 and 21 degrees; it is cold in the morning and in the evening.

How to arrive to Machupicchu