8 km away from "Aguas Calientes."
Altitude: 2,450 meters above sea level

Machu Picchu's location, at the heart of the Urubamba Canyon, was ideally chosen. Its construction was obviously well planned and carefully designed to be part of the environment. It is the result of different unique experiences, where nature and human work meet and successfully merge. Its uneven topography was transformed into terraces with agricultural and urban aims in mind, blending with their surroundings. However, some two dozen rocks were placed to represent the surrounding topography.

For its urban development, Machu Picchu was divided into two sectors: the agricultural sector, with security posts, the upper cemetery and a ritual rock, and the urban sector, including the Intiwatana and the Sacred Monolith group, the Three-Windowed Temple, the access gates, liturgical pools, the Royal Mausoleum and plazas. Due to its impressive buildings and gorgeous natural surroundings, Machu Picchu is among the seven "wonders of the world".

HISTORICAL SANCTUARY

In the sanctuary, surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains, you can see a diversity of flora and fauna, an attraction for local people as well as for tourists.
The famous Machu Picchu Inca citadel is the most important symbol of Andean culture. It is virtually impossible to find its parallel elsewhere in the world. This Inca sanctuary is one of the most important archaeological monuments the world over, and has been declared a Cultural World Heritage Site by UNESCO, together with historic Cusco city, also regarded as a Cultural World Heritage Site.

Visiting Machu Picchu is a unique experience. The mystic solemnity shrouded in its stone walls and the mysteries enclosed within the stone blocks themselves, lead us to respect the builders of this monumental work, who knew how to combine their creative art with the wildness of nature.

WAYNA PICCHU

Its name means "young mountain" in the Quechua language. This pyramidal mountain, across from Machu Picchu and slightly above the citadel, hosts many archaeological site groups. At its peak you can see a set of platforms probably built for ritual purposes.

INCA TRAIL

This ancient trail joins Cusco and Machu Picchu (length: 39 km). You will see different archaeological sites along the trail, such as: Patallacta, Runkuraqay, Sayaqmarca, Phuyupatamarca, Wiñayhuayna, Intipata, Killapata, and Chaskapata, before you finally reach Machu Picchu citadel.

Inca Sacred Trail
It starts at km. 104 of the railway; with a length of about 10 km. You will see these monuments: Chachabamba, Wiñayhuayna, Intipata, Killapata ,Chaskapta, and, as a natural attraction, a crystalline waterfall, before you finally reach the citadel of Machu Picchu.

Routes along the Inca Trail Network to Machu Picchu
Besides the two roads mentioned above, there are also another four alternative roads, all in use for longer trips. They are:

Route 1: Inca Trail- 04 Days /03 Nights
Km. 82 (Piscacucho),Cusichaca, Huayllabamba,Wiñay Wayna and Machu Picchu citadel.

Route 2: Inca Salkantay Trail- 07 Days / 06 Nights
Salkantay, Huayllabamba,Wiñay Wayna and Machu Picchu citadel.

Route 3: This is the alternative Inca trail during the month of February 04 Days / 03 Nights
Km. 82 (Piscacucho), km. 88 (Qoriwayrachina), Pacaymayo Bajo, km. 104 (Chachabamba),Wiñay Wayna and Machu Picchu citadel.

Route 4: Trail to Salkantay
Salkantay, Huayllabamba, km. 88 (Qoriwayrachina). Machu Picchu citadel not included. On this road, in the stretches between Nevado Salkantay and Huayllabamba, you can use pack-animals, especially horses and mules.

MANDOR WATERFALLS

Visiting Mandor Waterfall is an unforgettable adventure. It is an area of lush forest surrounding the town of Machu Picchu.

You just have to follow the railway line from Machu Picchu Pueblo for a 45 minute-hike. You will reach a railway crossing, from which you will see a small group of houses whose dwellers will tell you how to reach Mandor Waterfall.

HOT SPRINGS

This is a definitely relaxing experience. You will enter different pools containing mineral waters at varying temperatures. This "natural sauna" in Machu Picchu Pueblo is located on Av. Pachacutec, just 7 or 8 minutes' walk from the main plaza.
The Hot Springs offer all of the necessary infrastructure and are one of the main natural resources for medical therapy, being an ideal treatment mode for ailments such as rheumatism. They also provide a great way to relax, get rid of stress and toxins, enhance your metabolism and avoid high blood pressure, among their other properties.