About Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu was built as a royal estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti, perched on a ridge between sacred mountains above the Urubamba River. Its temples, fountains and terraces are fitted to the living rock, reflecting an Andean worldview in which mountains, called apus, are powerful beings who protect people and herds. The site was largely abandoned after the Spanish conquest and never found by the colonizers, so its sacred spaces survived with remarkable completeness until scholars publicized it in 1911.
The Temple of the Sun captures the June solstice sunrise through a window, and the Intihuatana stone is thought to have served ritual and astronomical purposes. Visitors today follow fixed circuits with timed tickets that protect the fragile site. Quechua communities of the region still make offerings to the apus and to Pachamama, and travelers can honor that by keeping to paths and leaving nothing behind. Visitors often feel the presence of the peaks before they see the ruins.
What to see
- Temple of the Sun
- Intihuatana stone
- Temple of the Three Windows
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain hike
- Inca Trail arrival through the Sun Gate
Visiting Machu Picchu: practical guide
- Best time
- April to October, the dry season
- Hours
- Open daily in timed entry slots from about 6:00
- Entry
- Timed ticket required; book well in advance
- Dress code
- Layers, rain jacket, sun hat and good shoes
- Nearest airport
- Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ), Cusco, 75 km
Tips from experienced pilgrims
- Tickets sell out months ahead in high season
- Circuits are one way; plan which route you want
- Spend time in Cusco first to adjust to altitude
- Drones and walking poles with metal tips are restricted
Festivals and special days
- June Solstice
Etiquette for visitors
Guidance drawn from Inca Religion tradition. Always follow signs and local custodians.
- Book Machu Picchu tickets and circuits well in advance; entry is timed.
- Acclimatize to altitude in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before strenuous hikes.
- Do not touch or lean on Inca stonework, which is fragile despite appearances.
- Respect offerings, such as coca leaves, left at shrines and mountain passes.
- Ask before photographing people in traditional dress, and offer a tip if expected.
- Use licensed guides, which are required at Machu Picchu.
Location map
Open in OpenStreetMap · Get directions
Frequently asked questions
Where is Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu is in Aguas Calientes, Cusco, Peru, South America. GPS coordinates: -13.1631, -72.5450. The nearest airport is Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ), Cusco, 75 km.
What is the best time to visit Machu Picchu?
April to October, the dry season
Is there an entry fee for Machu Picchu?
Timed ticket required; book well in advance Opening hours: Open daily in timed entry slots from about 6:00
What should I wear when visiting Machu Picchu?
Layers, rain jacket, sun hat and good shoes
Which religion is Machu Picchu sacred to?
Machu Picchu is sacred to Inca Religion, Andean religion. Archaeological ruins. It is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
