There is some irony that South America's top destination — this sprawling, ancient Incan settlement — was hidden for centuries, tucked so well out of sight that the Spanish explorers were never able to find it (and that's a good thing, since they likely would have destroyed it). But in 1911, American explorer Hiram Bingham changed all that when he discovered the ancient ruins up in the clouds of Peru. Today, millions of travelers visit Machu Picchu, Peru's "lost" city, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Whether you're traveling for archaeological exploration or for the bucket-list hike, you'll be rewarded with the beauty and magnificence of both the ruins and the natural scenery.
Things Not to Miss in Machu Picchu
Use this Machu Picchu travel guide to make the most of your trip to these mysterious and spectacular ruins, and be sure include these activities on your Machu Picchu itinerary:
• Watch the sun rise and set over the ruins by staying overnight in Machu Picchu
• See the extraordinary stonework at the Temple of the Sun
• Hike the neighboring mountain, Huayna Picchu
• Enjoy the scenery on a train ride from Cusco to Machu Picchu
When to Visit Machu Picchu
The prime time for Machu Picchu travel is during the dry season, from May to October. The rainy season lasts from November to March, but travel to Machu Picchu during that time frame has its benefits, namely significantly fewer tourists and a much more personal look around the ruins.
-
Archaeologists Sign Petition Protesting the Construction of a Machu Picchu Airport (Video)
Peruvian archaeologists, historians and conservationists are banding together to petition against a new airport at Machu Picchu.The famous Incan ruin is... Read More
-
This Destination on Richard Branson's Bucket List Is a Place Nobody Has Seen — and It's on Earth
This article originally appeared on Departures.com. t’s hard to imagine there’s a place on this planet that Sir Richard Branson hasn’t been. But, the... Read More
-
Machu Picchu is Finally Wheelchair Accessible Thanks to This Tour Company
Machu Picchu is finally accessible for everyone.Despite being a mega tourist attraction, Machu Picchu was essentially cut off to people living in... Read More
-
Machu Picchu Has a Strict New Ticketing System — Here's What You Need to Know
This story originally appeared on Departures.com. The great thing about natural wonders is, simply, that they exist and are increasingly easy to see in... Read More
-
Julianne Hough Took Her Husband to Utah for His Birthday, So He Took Her to Machu Picchu for Hers
Julianne Hough celebrated her 30th birthday in Machu Picchu, thanks to her husband Brooks Laich.The Dancing with the Stars judge was given a surprise... Read More
-
The Top 10 Resort Hotels in South America
You could spend a lifetime crisscrossing South America and still never grow bored of its landscapes. The spire of Huayna Picchu reaching up through the... Read More
-
This Lesser Visited Trail to Machu Picchu Is a Stunning Alternative to the Inca Trail (Video)
If you take the high road and let others take the low road, you’ll get to Machu Picchu long before anybody else.Most active visitors to Machu Picchu opt... Read More
-
The Right (and Wrong) Ways to Get in Shape for an Active Vacation
Being a responsible traveler means more than watching your ecological impact and honoring local customs. You also have a responsibility to keep yourself... Read More
-
Everything You Need to Pack for Machu Picchu
If you’re headed to the Sacred Valley, be sure to pack the right essentials.Travelers with their sights on Machu Picchu, located high in the Andes... Read More
-
Tourists Kicked Out of Machu Picchu for Mooning the 15th-century Citadel
Three tourists were kicked out of Machu Picchu on Tuesday after taking pictures of their bare buttocks in front of the Incan ruins.“The three tourists... Read More
-
This Overlooked Detour on the Trek to Machu Picchu Could Become Peru's Hottest Destination
The streets of Cusco, where travelers congregate before embarking on tours of Peru's famous Inca citadel, Machu Picchu, are plastered with posters... Read More
-
Tourists Stranded As Protesters Block Path to Machu Picchu
Protesters are blocking the PeruRail train that takes thousands of people to the famed Inca city of Machu Picchu, in Peru, stranding many... Read More
-
How to Experience the World’s Most Popular Tourist Destinations Like You’re the Only One There
With more than 2.1 million tags, Machu Picchu is the 13th most-Instagrammed place in the world, and with good reason. The mysterious architectural site... Read More
-
Machu Picchu Is Introducing New Regulations for Visitors this July
Machu Picchu, a sprawling Incan settlement and UNESCO World Heritage Site, has long been a draw for tourists thanks to its magnificent stone... Read More
-
Meet the ridiculously cute kitten rescued at Machu Picchu
“Pretty much everywhere I go, I end up coming home with a kitten,” Hannah Shaw told Travel + Leisure.Shaw is a humane educator and advocate who... Read More
