Machu Picchu is one the last Inca citadels to have been discovered. Machu Picchu is located 80 km northeast of Cusco city, at 2400 meters (7874 feet) above sea level. “Machu Picchu” is a Quechua expression that means “old mountain”. According to some historians, the real name of Machu Picchu was “Llaqtapata”.
Archeological excavations have revealed that Machu Picchu was a religious sanctuary. It was not a public place nor a military outpost. Its entrance was reserved to priests and members of the royal Inca family. Visiting Machu Picchu is the main highlight of any vacation in Peru.
The history of Machu Picchu is shrouded in mystery. Some historians suggest that Machu Picchu was built under the reign of Inca Pachacutec in the XV century. However, there is evidence of the existence of a previous settlement in the area. Due to its hidden location, Machu Picchu was ignored by the Spanish after the conquest of the Inca Empire in the XVI century.
For centuries, the citadel of Machu Picchu remained unknown to the general public. In 1902, Agustín Lizárraga managed to reach the citadel of Machu Picchu, while searching for new crop fields. However, the news of his discovery of Machu Picchu did not gain public attention.
Later, in 1911, an American expedition led by Hiram Bingham found Machu Picchu. The expedition wrote a detailed description of most of the buildings of the citadel. Afterwards, the citadel gained worldwide attention, and the first restoration works of the site began. In 1983, Machu Picchu was included in the World Heritage List of UNESCO.
Our full day tour is perfect for those who do not have enough time to visit all the attractions in Cusco. During this day trip, you will visit the most iconic archaeological site of Cusco, while enjoying the charming landscapes of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
At Sanvil Turismo we offer the best travel packages in the Cusco region. Our tour guides are professionals authorized by the local government to guide treks and tours in the region. They are experts in the history and traditions of each destination you will be visiting.
We also offer tours to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain, and the beautiful Humantay Lagoon. Enjoy our full day trip to Machu Picchu and discover the rich history of the Inca Empire.
Your Hotel in Cusco City
6:00 am
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 6:00 am. Then, we will board our private vehicle and go to Ollantaytambo town, located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This car trip takes around 1.5 hours to complete. Once in Ollantaytambo, we will board a train to Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu town. Aguas Calientes is the entry point to Machu Picchu citadel.
Once we arrive in Aguas Calientes, our staff will take you to the bus station, where you will board a bus to Machu Picchu. Once in Machu Picchu, you will pass some security checkpoints before entering the citadel. Then, our guided tour of the place will begin.
You will visit the most iconic landmarks of Machu Picchu, such as the Temple of the Condor, the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows, and the Main Temple. Most of the buildings of Machu Picchu have a religious purpose. For example, the Temple of the Condor is dedicated to the condor bird, which according to Inca mythology, connects the earthly realm and the underworld.
If you have booked a ticket to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain, our staff will take you to the respective entrance. After the tour, we will take a bus to return to Aguas Calientes.
Once in Aguas Calientes, you will have free time to have lunch at a local restaurant. However, the lunch is not included in the tour price. In the afternoon, we will board a train to Ollantaytambo. Once there, our staff will transfer you to Cusco city, where you will be arriving around 9:00 pm.
