Machu Picchu
Discover the legendary Inca city above clouds


Machu Picchu, an ancient citadel set among the clouds and built by the Inca Emperor Pachacutec in the 15th
century, is the ultimate bucket-list destination for travelers on their luxury trip to Machu Picchu tours.
This captivating city, “lost” for centuries before being “rediscovered” in 1911, is located in the Urubamba province
of the Cusco region of Peru. The enigmatic ruins still lure in legions of tourists who come to marvel at its
seemingly improbable setting, high up on a cloud-swirled plateau amid an audience of Andean peaks. It is not
only Peru’s most-visited tourist destination but is also the most-visited site in South America as a whole, with
around one million people making the journey here every year. In 2007, Machu Picchu earned a spot among the
New Seven Wonders of the World.
Though eating at the site of Machu Picchu is prohibited, the surrounding area has a diverse range of gastronomy due to the Incas ability to farm and harvest even in the harshest conditions. They developed resilient breeds of crops such as potatoes, quinoa, and corn. They built cisterns and irrigation canals that snaked and angled down and around the mountains. And they cut terraces into the hillsides, progressively steeper, from the valleys up the slopes. Products like potatoes, yucas, sweet potato, oca, olluco, and many others complete the everyday diet of the ancient inhabitants and play a significant role in the cuisine and the restaurants nearby, today.
Machu Picchu is a mix of many cultures with many different traditions including Inca, Peruvian, and Amazonian heritage. The combination of Peruvian music and dance, accompanied by the food and traditions of ancient Incas makes Machu Picchu a place to remember. Machu Picchu is also important to indigenous cultural heritage. The ancient city might be called the crowning achievement of Incan culture and spirituality. The culture and language of the contemporary indigenous people come directly from the Incas. In an authentic sense, Machu Picchu is where these people come from.
From trekking to glamping - the route to Machu Picchu is packed with adventure activities for visitors to enjoy. From the Inca Trail to the Salkantay Trail, the views of the Andes while trekking to Machu Picchu are endless. Experience the unique wildlife, diverse landscapes and picturesque views around Machu Picchu by trekking your way through the region.
Machu Picchu serves as an incredible backdrop for any wellness-inspired itinerary. Relax at the spa of the Belmond Hotel or visit the hot springs of Aguas Calientes. The region is a spiritual sanctuary bound to help you relax, unwind and recharge and reconnect with yourself. Machu Picchu is home to many Peruvian superfoods like quinoa or Maca, packed full of amino acids, vitamins and minerals which help to increase energy, reduce stress and create an overall revitalizing effect.
When booking a luxury vacation to Peru, we’ll keep your travel goals in mind – whether you’re looking to experience the
biodiversity of the Amazon, eat your way through Lima, or explore the Inca city of Machu Picchu – Peru has something
for everyone and our travel designers are eager to craft the perfect trip for your luxury vacation to Peru.
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These months align with the region’s dry season and are the most popular time to visit Machu Picchu. Peak season and
the busiest time to visit Machu Picchu are June, July, and August. These months align with the heart of the region’s dry
season, the most sunshine, and summertime in the northern hemisphere. From June to August, large crowds can make
it a little hard to move around sectors of the Historic Sanctuary and long lines at the main entrance are common.
Hike Huayna Picchu Overlooking the entire site is the towering peak of Huayna Picchu which lies on a scenic trail that takes you up a jungle-covered mountainside. Take a few hours out of your day and hike up to the top to find extraordinary views of Machu Picchu and the surrounding jungle - testament to the ingenuity and industry of the Inca. The steepest staircases are at the end of the hike, near the summit. In spite of its difficulty, this trail is in high demand and it’s limited to only 400 hikers per day, so you often have to book several months in advance to get a spot to do this epic journey.
Hike The Inca Trail To Get To Machu Picchu The journey to the citadel of Machu Picchu has often been described by nature lovers and history enthusiasts as the best part of visiting the region. The Classic Inca Trail route is a 3 to 5 day hike, and on average, it takes 4 days and 3 nights to reach Machu Picchu. There is also a shorter route to Machu Picchu, which starts at Kilometer 104 on the Trail and only takes one day to hike to the citadel. On the route, visitors can experience various attractions such as Ollantaytambo, a town and archaeological site left behind by the Incas, or Sayacamara, maze like ancient paths on an archaeological site which grants views of the Aobamba valley and the Pumasillo snow-capped mountain.
Visit the Temple of The Sun and Temple of Condor The Temple of the Condor is one of the most striking sights at Machu Picchu. Two huge boulders on the hillside have been carefully carved into the wings of a condor, whose torso and head are carved into the floor..The Temple of the Sun was a sacred precinct built by the Incas to pay tribute and give offerings to the sun. Standing just outside the Temple of the Sun, we can see the extent of Machu Picchu's farming terraces. Though the Inca were expert agriculturists, the citadel suffered from a small supply of food and fresh water, which had to be imported at great effort.
Soak in the thermal hot springs in Aguas Calientes After a long day of adventures, hiking and exploring the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu, take some time to soak in the relaxing thermal hot springs in Aguas Calientes, the surrounding town of Machu Picchu named after these incredible hot springs. The lush, green mountains surrounding them are the perfect scenery to relax in. The hot springs have three large pools and three other small pools. Temperatures vary from 100 degrees fahrenheit to 114 degrees fahrenheit. The establishment also has changing rooms, showers, clothes storage and bar service for a full spa session post hike.
Qunuq Restaurant With Peruvian cuisine topping the list of the world’s gastronomic experiences, Qunuq offers visitors the best in Andean fusion, without having to leave your lodgings. The chefs at Qunuq have spent a great deal of time in high local communities in order to source the freshest ingredients, while also helping in the development of various villages. The result is a menu with delicious choices using a variety of locally sourced products that have been grown and harvested with the peoples’ love of their land.
Indio Feliz The restaurant features a pirate theme; upon entering, you will want to take a moment to explore the different rooms. Entirely painted by hand, you will find many unique portraits, paintings, and designs that cover every possible inch of space on the walls and ceiling. The rooms are comfortable, some even feature a fireplace for those chilly Machu Picchu evenings. A French-Peruvian fusion, Indio Feliz serves a variety of creative Peruvian dishes. Some of the most notable dishes here are the french onion soup which comes with a bowl of Andean cheese on the side, the beef brochettes and the orange pie for dessert.
Belmond Sanctuary Lodge Boasting the enviable status of being the only accommodation to actually be set at the entrance of Machu Picchu, the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge is a very convenient and suitably luxurious place to stay. Guests have the opportunity to enjoy a leisurely breakfast on the terrace while gazing at the orchid gardens before completing a short stroll into the national park. There are 32 guestrooms to choose from, most of which come with their own patio areas where guests can dine in style. The onsite Tampu restaurant offers excellent Peruvian cuisine such as stuffed alpaca and fish ceviches, while guests who are especially hungry after a day of exploring the ruins can indulge in the Tinkuy buffet restaurant. A range of activities are available on the site from yoga and al fresco massages to Pisco tasting sessions in the bar.
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel Set on the bank of a gently flowing river in the charming town of Aguas Calientes, the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel offers rustic-chic guestrooms as well as excellent in-house guides. The hotel is set in a densely wooded reserve at the foot of the misty mountains and serves as a real haven for nature lovers. The hotel complex consists of low-slung colonial-style buildings, which are connected by a series of rough cobbled footpaths, while the interiors are elegant with subdued lighting and décor and splashes of color provided by Andean and tartan alpaca blankets. True luxury lovers will want to make sure that they book one of the huge villa rooms, which come complete with wood-burning fires, large dining areas and cozy living spaces. The onsite Café Inkaterra has a roof thatches with palm leaves and provides guests with views over the railway line as they enjoy dishes such as causas, lomo saltado and alpaca meat.
Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel This elegant establishment has a reputation for being one of the finest hotels in the whole of Peru due to its sumptuous guestrooms and gourmet dining opportunities. The hotel can be found on the edge of Aguas Calientes and provides guests with stunning views across the steamy valley all the way to Machu Picchu. The polished wooden floors and hardwood furniture that can be found throughout the hotel is accented by colorful Peruvian rugs and bright and bold paintings. Guests are treated to huge marble bathrooms, while the rooms that face out onto the valley are especially stunning and should not be missed.
El MaPi By Inkaterra El MaPi is one of Aguas Calientes' newest and trendiest hotels, a fresh and modern mid-range refuge with great food and a trendy bar. Central but surprisingly serene, with décor that is minimalistic but functional. There are dozens of bars and restaurants on the hotel's doorstep to suit all budgets and the train station is less than a five minute walk away. Amazonian vines, eucalyptus beams and charcoal painted halls effortlessly merge the hotel's cool interiors with its green and humid exteriors. There are moss covered walls and drooping green leaves throughout – and the sleek, white-washed lobby has a particularly fresh and sophisticated ambience. The hotel has 122 standard double rooms that have white washed walls, pine doors and mostly turquoise furnishings.
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