Macha Pichu - The Lost Ancient Wonder City of Inca Civilization in [Cusco, Peru]

Important Note: 

1. Check the COVID 19 travel restrictions of the place online before undertaking your sojourn.
2. Kindly note that the Distance of places, Prices, Hotel rates, Temperature, and other figures may change according to the conditions prevailing at the time of your visit. There may even be short cuts and extra conveyance available that you can avail of when traveling locally. Tourists must conduct their own research before traveling and take due diligence on rates & distances from authorized online sources. All the facts and information provided in relation to the place is for my own personal use and collected from different online sources and collated together. For more details, Click this link DISCLAIMER.

[Picture Credits: "Macha Pichu Peru" by Diego Delso, Wikipedia is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0]

If there is one place that truly depicts Peru and its famed culture, it is the Macha Pichu historical site. Located at an altitude of 8000ft on a mountain ridge, between the Peruvian Andes mountains and the Amazon basin, this 15th century Inca citadel is truly a breathtaking Inca masterpiece that is surrounded by staggering zigzag terraced fields for farming. Its location along pristine waters and surrounded by towering and gigantic Andean peaks is truly awe-inspiring. 

Macha Pichu is the mysterious place in the cloud forest which the ancient historians mentioned ages back.  

The correct geographic location of Macha Pichu is in Eastern Cordillera>Cusco Region>Urubamba Province>MachaPichu district>in South Peru. This breadcrumb trail is shown to help first-time visitors so that they don't lose their way. Macha Pichu is located in the famous Peruvian Andes mountains of South America above the sacred valley, some 80kms NW of Cuzco. The roaring Urubamba river crosses the Macha Pichu region along the sacred valley creating a grand canyon which is nothing short of a spectacle. The region is blessed with a tropical mountain climate, where you can also enjoy river rafting activities along the Urubamba River. 

The material for its construction was extracted from the banks of the Urubamba river, some 30kms from the site. Historians and archeologists are puzzled about how the Incas transported the stones without any heavy machines during those times. Speculation was rife that it was built during a previous cult that existed there who used already scattered stones from there or may have been constructed by the hand of aliens. But no one is sure of the truth.

Archeologists are of the opinion that the Macha Pichu region was constructed as a royal estate for Inca emperor Pachacuti. A spectacular icon of Inca heritage, Macha Pichu was shrouded in mystery and untouched even during the Spanish Conquest till it was discovered by American historian Hiram Bingham in 1911 which catapulted it to international acclaim.   

The outer facade was built using polished white dry stones which provided the structure a rugged exterior. 

The 5 most prominent structures in Macha Pichu are the Monolithic shrine of Sacred Plaza, mysteriously cut Intihuitana stone, a Room with 3 windows, the unusual Royal mausoleum, and the elegant Sun Temple.  

In local Quecha terminology, Macha Pichu means the 'Old Mountain'. The Incas abandoned the site after ruling it for 80yrs due to the Spanish conquests leaving behind a trail of golden heritage. You can find animals like llama & Alcapas here which are not native to the region but brought for their meat and pelts. 

The panoramic view of Machu Pichu can truly be enjoyed all year long, except for the rainy season. 

[Picture Credits: "Macha Pichu " by Martin St-Amant , Wikipedia is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0]

This site is located in an earthquake-prone fault zone and historians are perplexed as to why the Incas selected this location. Here we understand why the Incas were called master masons. Macha Pichu was constructed using big stone blocks without mortar for efficient water drainage and in case of earthquake vibrations, the stones simply would 'dance' and settle at its original position. This also provided the Incas ready availability of fractured stones in case of any eventuality. The Incas were adept at this technique of fractured stone construction called 'Ashlar'. 

[Picture Credits: "Llama on Macha pichu" by Alexandre Buisse, Wikipedia is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0]

The agricultural terraced fields were held using hard granite stones and due to superior drainage system remained solid even ages later. The skill and genius of Inca engineering are further testified by the series of 'Aqueducts' and water systems they built which extended up to 1 km. These structures served as agricultural supplements to increase arable land and for the bathing purposes for the Inca population. The Andean region is known to be water scarce and the advanced water harvesting techniques adapted and Tipon channel system built by the Incas showed their civil & hydraulic engineering prowess. 

[Picture Credits: "Terrace Farming " by RAF-YYC, Flickr is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0]

Water was chiefly sucked through the rivers and the freshwater springs on the mountains. The spot was best suited for defense against enemies due to the altitude and also for its single wall entry system into the palatial city. The artistic stone masonry and the temple surroundings with manicured terrace farms were the hallmarks of Inca engineering. 

The exact significance of Macha Pichu still remains a mystery. Historians believe it to be a secret ceremonial site for Inti or Sun God, a royal retreat for the Inca nobles, military barracks, a fortified site, astronomical observatory, a final pilgrim destination for the Incas, a sanctuary for the Virgins of Sun, an elite women group, and many more along the Inca trail but its true significance remains unknown. It is believed to be a fabled & mysterious city even for the Peruvians. 

[Picture Credits: "Intihuatana" by Fabricio Guzmán, Wikipedia is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0]

The entry of Spanish conquerors pushed the Inca cult to other hidden locations like Vilcabamba and Espiritu Pampa, which is a much larger settlement. Archeologists believe that unraveling the dense overgrowth, bamboo thickets, and Vine mess will reveal more hidden trails. 

The high and hidden location rendered it inaccessible to strangers and conquerors alike. The entry to Macha Pichu is through a short but sturdy Inca bridge across a sheer cliff. To the east of Macha Pichu lies the Acropolis, a temple district ('Don't mistake to consider it to the Greek one'). 

The orientation of this site is influenced by the holy mountains or the 'Apus' which lies in the vicinity. 

[Picture Credits: "Intihuatana Solar Clock" by Jordan Klein, Flickr is licensed under CC BY 2.0]

If we take a snapshot structurally, the area is divided into 3 parts - The Agricultural area, the Royal or Imperial area & the Urban center for common masses. Macha Pichu area is divided according to the class of people. The residential area houses the 'wise men' or 'Amautas', the 'princess' or 'nustas' quarters which have trapezoidal rooms, and the common 'sacred' neighborhood.

[Picture Credit: "Trapezoidal Rooms" by Martin St-Amant, Wikimedia.org is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0]

All the temples are engineered to catch the first sun rays, with the slopes reflecting the temple Huyana Pichu in the background which confers a visual spectacle to the entire area. 

Other famous sites include - Sacred stones, Noble quarters, the Temple of Condor & the ritual fountain fed by spring waters. The tropical rainforest of Macha Pichu also hosts many exotic plants & animals too. 

Tourists gather in hordes during the Inti Raymi or Sun Festival that is held on June 22 (Winter Solstice). Locals are of the opinion that some stones are sacred and emit energies, which can be felt with your bare hands. 

Due to massive tourist inflow and historic legacy, the Peruvian Govt. declared it as a historic sanctuary in 1981. It even achieved a UNESCO World Heritage tag in 1983 and was listed as 7th New Wonder of the world. 

How to get there ---->

The remote location of Macha Pichu rules out straight road access, so one option will be to hop on a train from Aguas Calientes, a town located near a station at the base of the valley. This town is the closest to Macha Pichu. 

You can also opt for adventure walks which will take a strenuous 2 hrs. Preferable for large groups used to chit-chatting.

International Travelers: Visitors arriving by flights will land at Lima, the capital of Peru. Due to the late evening arrival in Lima, there is no connecting flight to the next closest town that is Cusco. 

For lodging & accommodations, you can pre-book Miraflores hotel, 45 min drive from the airport. The hotel near the airport is not pedestrian-friendly, but you can still try it you don't want to travel further after the journey. 

By Train: 

Before trekking to Macha Pichu, book your tickets through an authorized agent online. 

The far by easiest option is to take an Inca or Peru train from Cusco(Poroy station) cruising along the Urubamba valley, and then by bus up to the entrance of the site ruins.

Some other casual options are Classic Inca trails, which is an arduous  24 - 26-mile trek. This trek is longer but more scenic as you will encounter many archaeological and historical ruins and it takes to directly to the Sun Gate of Macha Pichu.

For the novice, it will be better to take a Peru based registered guide, destination travel agencies, or go pre-planned by downloading online guides. If these options doesn't suit your tastes, utilize Google Maps until you get the network signals, and then ask your way out. 

Few other options are navigating through the Lares and Vilcabamba treks which traverses the same distance as the Classic Inca Trail.

Longer routes are the 6-day Salkantay trek, wherein the discerning trekker can opt for lodge & resort stay options. The final circular route to follow is to take a bus from Cuzco to Chacora village which links many ancient Inca ruins & peaks along the way. In between, there is an arduous 1500m slog way from the Apurimac river to Macha Pichu. 

There are other shorter and cheaper routes by Bus or Taxi rides.  Here trekkers take a circuitous route from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, another hit archeological site. You can travel by bus or cab which debits you by $5 to $13. 

Overall the shortest distance( in order ) to the fabled site starts at Aguas Calientes, Sacred Valley -  Ollantaytambo, and Cusco.

For the daredevils who need extra adventure, there are plenty of guided tours and activities, which can be found at website VIATOR.COM

Note: Fainthearted and nauseating types of people can take a shot of Cocoa leaf tea and which nullifies the effects of Headaches, altitude sickness & nausea.  

You can get luckier if you plan an alternate shorter route through the use of online maps & of course your intellect. 

 For Visa and other formalities from different countries, kindly check this trusted World Travel and Tourism Safe Travel Protocol website G Adventures:

https://www.gadventures.co.uk/trips/wellness-peru-machu-picchu-the-sacred-valley/SPCCW/

(You can also book your own private room on this website)

The entry ticket to MachaPichu can be bought at Ministerio de Cultura in Cuzco or Aguas Calientes and.costs in between $30-$100 (may alter as per Govt. policies). All the travel policies and entry related information is listed on the Government website at Machapichu.gob.pe

The hotels and hostels in Cusco, Lima & Ollaytaytambo can also arrange for travel and local guide formalities if you ask for it. 

Site visit timings: 6am - 6 pm

Where to Eat:

Due to the restrictions of visitors and captive audience at the site, the prices at the entrance are exorbitant and a meal plate usually costs $40. A bottle of water costs around $8, also steeply priced. 

· Tinkuy Buffet restaurant at Belmond sanctuary lodge: You can get casual lunch over here which is decent. 

· Tampu Bar cum restaurant, again in Belmond sanctuary lodge -  Reserved for hotel inmates only. Prices are steep over here. 

· Macha Pichu Pueblo Hotel - Located in lush jungles in the cloud forest.

· Gringos Bill Restaurant.

·Macha Pichu Green Nature Hotel (Close to Huyana Pichu) - Check detail information at Agoda.com 

 There are other reasonable dining options in Aguas Calientes(30 min form Macha Pichu). A few are listed below:

· Earthy Tree House restaurant (Peru-Asian specialty) 

· Indo Felix (French - local specialty)

· Casa Del Sol

·Sumaq Hotel

·Casa Andina

· La Cabana (a B&B type of restaurant)

Bring your own water as the rates are exorbitant at the entrance. For the first-timer's information, snacks are sold at the site entrance. Eating is also strictly disallowed inside the ruins.

When to Visit: If the Andean valleys summon you, then visiting in April - October periods is apt, as these are the driest and sunny months.

Where to Stay / Accommodation:

Being a protected area, the construction is limited and there is not much you can do to let your head down. One expensive option is Macha Pichu Sanctuary Lodge which is near to the ruins. There are 2 luxury suites in the hotel which provide some hide and seek views of the site, but the night scenery is eclectic. If you intend to stay on a reserved budget, then there are options down the valley at Aguas Calientes.  

Nearby Attractions:

· Huayna Picchu: Incan mountain ruins at a height of 2700 meters above sea level. 

·Inti Pinku - Situated atop a mountain peak. This was a prominent spot in Inca heritage and it served as a Sun doorway to the Macha Pichu citadel. You can spot an array of orchids and Bromeliads along the path.  

·Laras Hot springs - A world-famous wellness center, enclosing a medicinal hot spring.

·Grand cavern - Where Inca women would pray and offer sacrifices to the Mother Earth.

·Artisans Wall -  Depicts the finesse of the Inca craftsmen

·Caretakers Hut & Guards Quarters - Names are self-explanatory

The mystical charm of this citadel set up against the carpet of the lush green mountain is a wonder to the sight. Macha Pichu is no doubt Peru's best-kept tourism secret. 

The Incas chose the location due to its superior astrological significance and sacred coordinates. 

It is recorded that there were 600-700 terraced fields which acted as a bulwark to the soil from sliding down.  It was also an ideal location for agricultural activities along with religious studies. At the height of its glory, the Macha Pichu housed many learned scholars and experts in different fields, which catered to the needs of the minuscule Inca population. 

Closing Chapter:

Macha Pichu is an important cultural landmark of Peru and the main revenue generator. Millions of tourists soak in the splendor of this amazing man-made wonder. The Precincts, storage houses,  bathhouses, temples sanctuaries, stone canals, stairways, tombs, and the white granite ruins hidden among the vegetation all evoke the nostalgia of the glorious days passed by. 

Macha Pichu was not constructed for the tourist peaks and talks are on to preserve the sanctity of the structure from the massive rush. The Peru government has already begun the process of protecting it by introducing a token/permit system for limiting travelers. 

The government has taken a hard call with revenue on one side and age-old legacy at the another end.

Before leaving this amazing and stunning Peruvian Inca palace, bask in its glory by absorbing its mysterious aura and the hallowed walls of the ruins. 

Head back to your pavilion with renewed vigor and strength in your feet taking along the memories of the mysterious Inca heritage.

Special Tip: As a remembrance, you can get your passport stamped with the Macha Pichu stamp.

Some Useful Reference Links:

1. https://rb.gy/stocsv

2.https://rb.gy/x2vrof

3.https://rb.gy/mnkh1b

4.https://rb.gy/4vayxr  (A Detailed guide to reach Macha Pichu)

5.https://www.rome2rio.com/ (Website listing optimal travel options from any city in the world).