Machu Picchu!

For many visitors to Peru and even South America, a visit to the Inca city of Machu Picchu is the long-anticipated highpoint of their trip. In a spectacular location, it’s the best-known archaeological site on the continent.

History

Machu Picchu is a 15th century Inca site, located 2,430m above sea level on a mountain ridge above the Sacred Valley. It is the most famous of all Inca sites but it was not until 1911 that it was brought to the world’s attention by the American historian Hiram Bingham. The Incas abandoned the city just prior to Spanish colonisation meaning that the Spanish conquerors never had a chance to pillage the city. As a result the ruins are still in fantastic condition and given the location of the city – on a dramatic ridgeline　surrounded by sheer cliffs and the Urubamba River on three sides – it truly is a remarkable place to visit. Machu Picchu was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and in 2007 it was voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.

Trekking to Machu Picchu

This classic trek along the historic Inca Trail is considered by many to be one of the great short treks of the world, and is a superb introduction to trekking in the Andes. Importantly, we spend ample time in Cusco and the Sacred Valley whilst acclimatising to the altitude before heading out onto the trail. Our Inca Trail itinerary differs from most as we avoid the busier camp sites. We ascend the jungle trails and cloud forest to appreciate the panorama of Andean peaks that would have inspired the Inca people as we make our way to Machu Picchu. Words cannot describe the exhilaration of the first sighting of these enigmatic ruins. Rather than heading back to Cusco we spend a night in Aguas Calientes, and this vitally gives us the opportunity to visit Machu Picchu at its best, early the following morning before the crowds arrive. Both pre and post the trek we have time to explore the Cusco we know so well, delving into a selection of Spanish taverns, cathedrals and colourful Andean markets.