11 Reasons Why You Must Visit Machu Picchu At Least Once In A Lifetime

Surrounded by majestic mountain peaks and at 2,430 meters (7,970 ft) above sea level, the great Inca Ruins in the sky are truly amazing. Words fall short when trying to describe this place, which makes it even more important to go see it for yourself. Here are the 11 reason why you should make Peru your top bucket-list priority.

The architecture

The engineering genius and precision of the Incas is simply stunning, especially on this little bit of land in the clouds. The Incas mastered the technique called ashlar where blocks of stone are cut to fit together tightly without mortar. The stones are so tightly fit you can’t even fit a blade between them. It is also a testament to the structural integrity of the site that it still stands, through earthquakes, constant torrential rain and, now, heavy tourism.

The sights

The mystery

The function of these ruins is still a debate amongst archaeologist. The consensus opinion is that Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the great Inca Pachacuti. It is also considered a pilgrimage site that Incas would take to pay respects to the great Inca leader. The pilgrimage taken to the site is the route now called the Inca Trail.

The Incas

While admiring the site, you’re also marveling at the brilliance of the Incas and their culture. At its height, the remarkable empire extended from Peru to Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and parts of Colombia. Their profound impact is found all over Peru and other parts of South America.

May not be around much longer

Huge flocks of tourists descend upon the ruins each winter and this popularity now threatens its very existence. UNESCO is considering putting Machu Picchu on its List of World Heritage in Danger and Peru is now limiting the number of visitors to the site each day, in an attempt to preserve it.

The history

From the Incas to Hiram Bingham’s “discovery” and all the controversy that it brought, Machu Picchu’s history is long and layered. You’ll spend days – really you should spend longer – learning about the long history of the Incas and Machu Picchu.

The Inca Trail

The Inca Trail is just as well known as Machu Picchu and the trail each year fills up quickly. The trek takes you through ruins and beautiful landscapes and leads to the ultimate destination, Machu Picchu.

The culture

Cusco and the areas that surround Machu Picchu are rich in culture interest. It is a combination of Andean traditions and Peruvian culture, with people speaking both Quechua and Spanish in the area. Everything from the cloths to the language is unlike anything else in the world.

The adventure

You’ll feel like you’re discovering something for the first time when you step onto the sacred grounds, especially if you just finished the 4-day Inca Trail.

Bragging rights

Machu Picchu is the holy grail of all backpacker destinations and is certainly deserving of bragging rights. You’ll never stop telling people that you visited this incredible place.

The memories

When it’s all said and done, you’ll never forget your trip to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. Make sure to take plenty of pictures because you’ll want to relive these memories for the rest of your life.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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