Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
24 days ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
24 days ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
24 days ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
24 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Peru Aguas Calientes Machu Picchu: The Lost City of The Inca
AO Edited

Machu Picchu: The Lost City of The Inca

The intricate stonework of Machu Picchu serves as a testament to Incan engineers.

Aguas Calientes, Peru

Added By
LongNow
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Machu Picchu.   Kerry Wolfe / Atlas Obscura User
Machu Picchu.   Kerry Wolfe / Atlas Obscura User
The city in the clouds   esotericroots / Atlas Obscura User
Llamaccu Picchu   Connicka / Atlas Obscura User
Mist on Machu Picchu   Panama Jack / Atlas Obscura User
Machu Picchu.   Kerry Wolfe / Atlas Obscura User
Sunrise on the terraces of Machu Picchu   mocchiatto / Atlas Obscura User
  MacabreMagicalCurios / Atlas Obscura User
  MacabreMagicalCurios / Atlas Obscura User
  MacabreMagicalCurios / Atlas Obscura User
  mbradley47 / Atlas Obscura User
Machu Picchu from Huayna Picchu   mbradley47 / Atlas Obscura User
Machu Picchu, January 2024   Brian Reedy / Atlas Obscura User
  hazelsquire / Atlas Obscura User
  heems79 / Atlas Obscura User
  MacabreMagicalCurios / Atlas Obscura User
Intricate masonry   mitchelljstier / Atlas Obscura User
Terraced fields and buildings   mitchelljstier / Atlas Obscura User
Temple of the Sun   mitchelljstier / Atlas Obscura User
Irrigation trough with Bridge   Fairy Princess Lolly / Atlas Obscura User
Intellectuals Quarter   Fairy Princess Lolly / Atlas Obscura User
Ruinscape   Fairy Princess Lolly / Atlas Obscura User
Spring Fountain in the Temple of the Sun   Fairy Princess Lolly / Atlas Obscura User
Temple of the Sun   Fairy Princess Lolly / Atlas Obscura User
Lone Tree in the Courtyard   Fairy Princess Lolly / Atlas Obscura User
  Max Cortesi
One of Machu Picchu’s llamas   Dalasaur / Atlas Obscura User
Mountains reaching the heavens   Blindcolour / Atlas Obscura User
A magical book on the cliff side spell bound by the natural beauty of Machu Picchu   Blindcolour / Atlas Obscura User
Machu Piccu   Airton Morassi / Atlas Obscura User
Machu Piccu   Airton Morassi / Atlas Obscura User
  Max Cortesi
  http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2208/251754...
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

In Cusco, at 11,000 feet the mountain weather is kaleidoscopic, and the Inca tradition is palpably present. Cusco is every single thing that Santa Fe, New Mexico would like to be - magnificently Spanish colonial, profoundly Indian, filled with often brilliant crafts, and made entirely of real adobe. Just up the hill is the famed Sacsayhuaman complex of behemoth stones perfectly fitted together by Incan engineers. (A nice place to stay in Cusco is the Hotel Monasterio - a restored monastery now run by the Orient Express.)

The train ride to Aguas Caliente is worth the trip all by itself. Surprisingly, Machu Picchu (at nearly 8,000 feet) itself is in fact lower than Cusco, and it's northwestward, down into the Amazon jungle. As one travels along one sees the biomes change before their eyes. Along the whole way are spectacular rivers, especially the Urubamba, plunging white water without end for miles - it is so relentless and violent, that to this day it has never been kayaked. (When the train stops jump out for some hot corn on the cob offered by locals, with kernels seemingly as big as Inca stonework and purely delicious.)

One is also reminded they are in the Andes. They dwarf all other mountain ranges. So godallmighty huge and steep and inviting and menacing and one marvel at the skill of the Inca and their predecessors, to imagine their mastering these mountains as they did.

If we judge the Greeks and Romans highly because of the excellence of their architecture, what do we make of the Inca, who could be said to surpass them architecturally? In fact, the Inca surpasses everybody in their reverence for stone and water.

At Machu Picchu sixteen stone waterfalls sequence down one side of the site. All over Machu Picchu massive crafted stones are fit together in near-perfect harmony and celebrate the sun, the year cycle, the surrounding mountain shapes, and the way humans take a step.

Machu Picchu is among the greatest architectural achievements and cultural centers of the Incas and the Old World. It is so perfectly built that the structures are able to survive earthquakes, pretty common in Peru and specifically in Machu Picchu, as it was built on top of two fault lines.

Since its discovery, the citadel has attracted millions of tourists, becoming the most visited attraction in Peru. Machu Picchu was declared a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary in 1981 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

 

Related Tags

Intriguing Environs Cultures And Civilizations Lost Tribes Long Now Locations Ruins Repositories Of Knowledge Ecosystems

Know Before You Go

As of 2017, stricter rules have been placed on visiting Machu Picchu in attempt to deal with the masses that visit every day. Visitors will not be allowed to enter without an authorized guide. Machu Picchu is limited to 2,500 tourists per day. There are already arrows to help control the flow of visitors but these will be more prominent. There are also changes to opening times for Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu/Wayna Picchu, and Cerro Machu Picchu. Entrance to Machu Picchu is split between a 6:00 AM and 12:00 PM entrance. Buses leave frequently from the small town of Aguas Callientes -- which in itself is a charming mountain community & very tourist trappy! The trip to the site is about 30 minutes on a road with 14 turns! You can also reach Machu Picchu by trekking the Inca trails, there are few options like the classic trail, one-day trail, and the Mollepata trail all of them reach to the Machu Picchu and take four, one and five days respectively. All of them provide an amazing and rewarding trekking experience. Alternatively, you can hike solo to Machu Picchu via Hidroelektrika. It takes 2.5 hours, one way, to reach Aguas Calientes from Hidroelektrika. Trail is straightforward; you just follow the train tracks. Make sure to get the 7am van from Cusco to Hidroelektrika so you'll be at Aguas Calientes by 5pm. When going back to Hidroelektrika, leave by 11am so you'll catch the vans going back to Cusco at 2pm.Be sure to wear comfortable shoes or boots fit for hiking! Many of the steps in the site are stone & often uneven -- they can be hard on your feet & legs. If you do choose to trek the Inca Trail, make sure you bring a very warm sleeping bag as it can get incredibly cold at night.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Peru: Machu Picchu & the Last Incan Bridges

Discover Inca Wonders.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

LongNow

Edited By

Martin, hotelesperu, myturn21, ftrisi...

  • Martin
  • hotelesperu
  • myturn21
  • ftrisi
  • The Dutchman
  • smikia
  • billmorillo
  • GemmaA
  • The Solitary Wanderer
  • wheressharon
  • ErezSpeiser
  • kgroh05
  • mbison
  • SkareMedia
  • Max Cortesi
  • mbradley47
  • Blindcolour
  • Airton Morassi
  • Kerry Wolfe
  • Dalasaur
  • mitchelljstier
  • Fairy Princess Lolly
  • Connicka
  • esotericroots
  • Panama Jack
  • heems79
  • mocchiatto
  • MacabreMagicalCurios
  • hazelsquire
  • Brian Reedy
  • mlowlife35

Published

July 24, 2012

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machu_Picchu
  • http://www.sacredsites.com/americas/peru/machu_picchu.html
  • http://www.hotelperuonline.com/
  • http://abroadio.com/inca-trail-to-machu-picchu/
  • http://www.annees-de-pelerinage.com/belmond-sanctuary-lodge-review-machu-picchu/
  • http://www.annees-de-pelerinage.com/machu-picchu-facts-information-pictures/
  • http://www.machu-picchu-the-beautiful.com/facts-and-information/machu-picchu-architecture/intihuatana-stone/
  • https://www.twoscotsabroad.com/how-to-get-to-machu-picchu/
  • http://www.wheressharon.com/solo-travels/hiking-inca-trail-macchu-picchu/
  • https://www.solitarywanderer.com/hiking-solo-to-machu-picchu/
  • https://www.cachilife.com/50-unbelievable-machu-picchu-facts/
  • https://trans-americas.com/machu-picchu-archaeological-site-peru-travel/
  • https://sheiswanderlust.com/machu-picchu/
Machu Picchu: The Lost City of The Inca
Antisuyo
Aguas Calientes
Peru
-13.1631, -72.545
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Machu Picchu Discovery Plaques

Aguas Calientes, Peru

miles away

Huayna Picchu

Aguas Calientes, Peru

miles away

Inca Bridge

Aguas Calientes, Peru

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Aguas Calientes

Aguas Calientes

Peru

Places 4

Nearby Places

Machu Picchu Discovery Plaques

Aguas Calientes, Peru

miles away

Huayna Picchu

Aguas Calientes, Peru

miles away

Inca Bridge

Aguas Calientes, Peru

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Aguas Calientes

Aguas Calientes

Peru

Places 4

Related Stories and Lists

The Potato Whisperer

farms

By Alona Martinez

The Rise and Fall of the World's Most Unlikely Pub

ruins

By Lauren Evans

Related Places

  • Rapa Nui, Chile

    "El Gigante" and the Moai of Rapa Nui

    The largest stone moai on Rapa Nui.

  • Georgia

    Uplistsikhe Cave Town

    Ancient rock-hewn town that witnessed key events of Georgian history.

  • Kite aerial photograph of the Multivallate Ringfort at Rathrá, Co Roscommon, Ireland.

    Tulsk, Ireland

    Rathcroghan

    This ancient Irish landscape boasts hundreds of legendary ruins.

  • Mother and baby “Ma’ax.”

    Tikal, Guatemala

    Spider Monkeys of Tikal

    Monkeys inhabit the lush forest surrounding ancient Mayan ruins once considered sacred.

  • Bolivia’s Witch Market

    La Paz, Bolivia

    Bolivia's Witch Market

    Popular tourist destination where witches in dark hats sell dried llama fetuses for good luck.

  • Water tower and other building in Fordlandia, Brazil.

    Aveiro, Brazil

    Fordlândia

    Henry Ford's failed rubber plantation in the middle of the Amazon rain forest.

  • For more than 30 years, the former town of Potosi resided underwater after it was flooded by the building of a dam

    Uribante, Venezuela

    The Drowned Church of Potosi

    A town church once nearly submerged by the damming of a river is now hauntingly visible as the water recedes.

  • Valle dei Mulini

    Sorrento, Italy

    Valle dei Mulini (Valley of the Mills)

    An Italian crevasse filled with abandoned buildings gives visitors a look at the world without humans.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.