Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu (from Quechua 'old mountain', altitude 2,430 m) is probably the world's most iconic archaeological site — an exceptionally preserved Inca citadel perched on a spectacular mountain ridge, 110 km north-west of Cusco, in the Urubamba province. It's the absolute must-see of a Peru trip and one of South America's most visited destinations (1.5 million visitors/year before pandemic, strict limit of 4,500 visitors/day since).

The site was built around 1450 by Inca emperor Pachacutec (1438-1471, ninth Sapa Inca, architect of empire expansion), probably as a royal altitude residence, astronomical ceremonial centre and strategic observatory. The modern hypothesis (Lucy Salazar, Richard Burger) views it as a royal dynastic estate intended to provide agricultural and shamanic products to the Cusco imperial court. The citadel was abandoned around 1572 after the 1532 Spanish conquest — surprisingly, without ever being discovered by the conquistadors, which explains its exceptional preservation. The site remained known locally by Quechua peasants but forgotten by the outside world until its rediscovery by American explorer Hiram Bingham on 24 July 1911.

The site comprises about 200 structures spread over 7.5 hectares — temples, palaces, agricultural terraces, fountains, astronomical observatories, residential quarters. Emblematic elements: the Temple of the Sun (Torreón, semicircular construction aligned on the austral winter solstice of 21 June), the Intihuatana (sacred stone with astronomical functions, shamanic altar), the Temple of the Three Windows (panoramic valley view), the Sacred Plaza, the Main Temple, the elite residential quarter, the agricultural terraces stepped on slopes (sophisticated hydraulic system of 16 connected fountains), the cemetery, the Inca Bridge (Puente Inka, vertiginous walkway above the Vilcanota). Architecture is typical of late imperial Inca style — cyclopean walls in perfectly fitted stones without mortar, trapezoidal frames, ritual niches.

UNESCO World Heritage listed in 1983 (cultural and natural — historical sanctuary of 32,600 ha also protecting wildlife-flora), named among the New 7 Wonders of the World in 2007 (global popular vote). Accessible exclusively by train (PeruRail or IncaRail from Ollantaytambo, 1h30) + bus from Aguas Calientes (25 min), or by the mythical 4-day Inca Trail (43 km, limited to 500 trekkers/day, permits 6 months ahead). Mandatory guided visit since 2017 (3-4h on site).