Peru is bursting with ancient ruins and villages built on both ancient and modern Inca traditions, mixed with a melting pot of Colonial and pre-Colombian culture!

Of all its landmarks, Peru's Machu Picchu which means “Old Peak” or “Old Mountain” in the Quechua native language - is categorised as one of the most famous, yet most mysterious of all the ancient Inca sites. Machu Picchu, the jewel of Peru's crown, is the 7th wonder of the world and has been in the limelight since it was discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. It stands at 2,400 meters above sea level and its unique stone construction is spread along a narrow and uneven mountain vista, tucked up against a 400m sheer cliff; overlooking the Urubamba Valley and River. The whole city was hidden from marauding conquistadores for centuries (and thus preserved), and its high remote location makes it feel like it is floating on a sheet of mist.

Local guides will tell you stories of legends descended down from Inca ancestors, whilst archaeologists will give you another perspective adding insight to this landmark's mysteriousness. Nobody however has been able to put a finger on the exact reasons as to why this citadel is hidden high in the clouds - which makes it so fascinating.

Many of the discoveries in and around Machu Picchu have led to more questions rather than answers around its true purpose. The more discoveries made it seems, the wider the variety of possibilities! Rather than give you a list of dates, numbers and scientific facts - this page is going to offer you a quick crash course so you can wow your guides on your knowledge of anthropology and Incan philosophy!

We probably don't need to tell you that Machu Picchu's walls, caves and stone structures are widely adorned with intricate carvings in the citadel -  boasting carefully selected cave entrances, altars, 600 impressively engineered terraces, a 1km long aqueduct and exquisitely engineered buildings. llamas are effectively lawnmowers, helping to preserve the grass around the stunning stone citadel. It is indeed a sensory feast for 21st century eyes staring firsthand at structures built by Incan hands more than a thousand years ago!

Intricate architecture of Machu Picchu 

Did you also know that the positioning of the buildings is no accident? Inca people were master astrologers, the milky way had particular significance to them and they arranged these structures within the citadel to align with the cosmos or rising of the sun at specific times of the year.

Everyone marvels at the masterful engineering the ancient Incan builders managed to achieve way back in the 14th century. Once you start understanding the significance of the structures around you, from a spiritual and ritualistic point of view - you'll be mind blown! 

Machu Picchu Architecture

The technique used to build the structure is called “Ashlar”, which means that stones are precisely cut to fit together without any mortar. This method is so precise, that not even a credit card can slide between stones. Peru has experienced hundreds of years of seismic activity, yet the stone structures the Inca's crafted stand strong undamaged by natures powerful forces.

Some of the most interesting architectural features of Machu Picchu are all closely huddled together over its total area of 32,592 hectares, each stone structure with an archaeological and spiritual back story that would make even Indiana Jones proud!

Machu Picchu's Terraces of Enlightenment. Image by Mike Torrey

Sacred Rock

The Sacred Rock is a powerful symbol in Machu Picchu and is recognised as being a spiritual area for meditation and absorbing positive energies. The Inca people placed a sacred stone in close proximity to the building site and this was dedicated to the site itself, which adds to the intrigue of the site; what did this mean to these people, and what daily practices took place right here where you stand, some say they can still feel the energy of these people and the land they revered so much. The Sacred Stone of Machu Picchu was carefully placed at the base of Huayna Picchu (or little peak), a place from which it’s possible to ascend right up to the summit, for a magnificent view down the valley. After your hour-long hike to the top of the peak, you can choose to stop off on the way back down at the Gatekeeper’s shack for a signed memoir, verifying you have conquered the steep climb up Huayna Picchu. The rock, resembling the shape of the top of the mountains behind it, is a shrine where the Incas carried out special rituals and pachamamas (offerings to the earth).

Sacred Rock

Central Plaza

The Central Plaza of Machu Picchu is laid out with rows and rows of roofless stone structures, embedded among steep terraces facing outwards for a grand view of Huayna Picchu. The lush green grass floor in the middle of the plaza resembles an island sitting amongst the rest of the Inca stone buildings that make up Machu Picchu. It’s an enticing and inviting spot for Llamas who love to graze amongst the lawns. The Central Plaza’s grassy field also provides a separation from the Sacred Plaza and Intiwatana, to the residential areas on the farther side of the complex. One of the buildings bordering the plaza is the Temple of the Three Windows. From this standpoint, we look out to see a pretty view out onto the green central field. If you carry up the flight of stairs around the back of the Sacred Plaza, you'll be taken back down to Central Plaza. At the very lowest end of the Central Plaza we find what is known as the Prison Group, this is essentially a network of cells, passageways, and niches extending both underground and up to the plateau above. Right in the center of this group of structures, we find the Temple of the Condor, some visitors and locals call this the main attraction because of its attention-seeking condor carved in stone right above a rock pile. Behind this striking carved condor head, is a doorway leading to a tiny underground cell. It's a real maze!

One of many llamas found grazing on Machu Picchu

Temple of the Condor

The Temple of the Condor in Machu Picchu has to be one of the biggest highlights (although you will find it difficult to choose one) of your exploration of these Inca ruins. It is an exquisite example of Inca stone masonry. The Inca took a natural rock formation shaped by the elements millions of years ago and skillfully shaped it into the outspread wings of a condor in flight. The Condor represented spirit and higher levels of consciousness, so the Inca considered the Condor to be of elevated importance in the animal and spirit kingdom. On the floor of the Condor temple you can see a rock carved in the shape of the condor's head and neck feathers, this section of the rock makes up the figure of a three-dimensional bird. Historians speculate that the Inca used the head of the condor here as a sacrificial altar. Underneath this is a small cave that used to contain a mummy, the hierarchical importance of which perplexed archaeologists like many other mummified remains found in this area. Behind the temple is a prison complex - the prison comprises of many human-sized niches and an underground maze of dark dingy dungeons. The close proximation of the alleged sacrificial temple and the prison structures conjures up visions of how the Inca may have used them for sacrifice or other rituals. Similar Inca prison sites record events outlining the handling of an accused citizen... word has it that the prisoners would be shackled into these niches for up to 3 days to await their fate! The jury could punish them with death for such simple sins as laziness, lust or more in line with Victorian punishments, theft.

Temple of Condor

Funerary Rock Hut

If you are a photographic enthusiast, you will want to take a small hike to Machu Picchu's Funerary Rock Hut. It's believed this location was the place where Inca nobility were mummified, and like many places chosen for overseas travellers to rest - the vantage point from the hut offers a dramatic view over the whole complex. Every day herds of alpacas and llamas arrive via the terraces near the Funerary Rock Hut to graze leisurely on the grass. These furry manicurists keep the lawns short, neat and tidy for our benefit whilst filling their stomachs. From this position we look out towards the start of the Inca Trail, in contrast to many of the narrow mountainous trails in the region - it is easy to see because the Inca Trail is a well developed wider road that connects the Cusco region directly with Machu Picchu. The hike up the long sturdy stairs that lead to the Funerary Rock Hut will give your muscles a good workout, but the rewards at the end of this short but relatively steep hike are worth every drop of sweat. The panoramas from this viewpoint will stick in your memory along with many snapshots of your unforgettable trip to Machu Picchu. From this point, we take a detour back down the stairs to arrive at the Royal Tomb.

Funerary Rock Hut

Royal Tomb

Walking down and to the left descending a long set of stairs, we approach the Royal Tomb. This cave-esque area of Machu Picchu is decorated with ceremonial niches and adjacent to the Temple of the Sun, is a carefully carved Inca cross. The cross design resembles steps and represents the three levels of existence in the Inca world. The first step symbolises the snake - a representation of the underworld or of death. The second step symbolises a jaguar, representing the present or human life. The third and highest step represents the celestial or spiritual plane of the gods - the condor being the symbol. This revered site has been the focus of numerous mummy excavations. Over 100 skeletal remains have been discovered here, 80% of which were women. For this and several other factual reasons, historians surmised that the area was inhabited primarily by Inca high priests and an elite selection of chosen women. Straight to the left of the royal tomb lies a series of 16 ceremonial baths, cleverly linked together via a skillfully engineered viaduct. At the top of this system we find the watershed hut, which passes beside the rock quarry emerging at the Sacred Plaza.

Royal Tomb Machu Picchu

Intiwatana

The Intiwatana at Machu Picchu is referred to by Inca and modern people as the "hitching post of the sun". One of Machu Picchu's primary functions was that of an astronomical observatory. It is a carved rock pillar with construction planned to orient towards the four cardinal points. As accomplished astronomers, the Inca used the angles of the pillar to accurately predict the solstices. The sun was an integral part of the Inca way of life and greatly influenced agriculture which supported the life of the whole community. The Inca considered the Sun the supreme natural god and during the winter solstice on June 21, it is said that the high priest would rope a golden disc to Intiwatana, to symbolically catch the sun returning it back to earth - thus ensuring another bountiful season of crops. Sadly Intiwatana is the only structure of its kind left standing by the Spanish conquerors, who went on an aggressive campaign to wipe out all structural references to Inca religion. Many visitors report that Machu Picchu feels like one of Earth's magnetic focal points, it emanates a mystical quality and carries an inherent spiritual or metaphysical power. When you’re sitting on the edge of heaven, perched high above the valley at the Sacred Plaza looking down at the Urubamba River below, it's hard to deny the etherial sense this place is bursting with. Turn around behind you and absorb the genius of the ancient builders who created these stone plazas and temple structures, framed magnificently in the background by the spectacular mountain peaks of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu to the left and right. How could you not be moved and humbled by this experience!

Intiwatana basking in the Peruvian sun

Huayna Picchu

The big little mountain that everyone forgets. Huayna Picchu is like a jewel in the crown of Machu Picchu. Standing at 2,720 metres (8,930 feet), it towers above and behind the citadel of Machu Picchu. Only 400 people are allowed daily to climb Huayna Picchu in 2 groups – first departing at 7.00AM second at 10.00Am. The steep (both hands and feet needed) climb winds up the side of the rock faces and through a tunnel. It takes about 1.5-2 hours up and about 45 minutes to 1 hour down. For many people climbing Huayna Picchu is another main highlight when visiting Machu Picchu. The view from the top magnifies how the structures and terraces below are built in seemingly impossible places like they are almost glued to the mountainside. You're in for not only a breathtaking panorama of the site of Machu Picchu below but also the snow-capped mountains and grand valleys beyond.

Machu Picchu is divided into two parts

Hanan and Urin according to the Inca tradition. This essentially means upper and lower, or heaven and earth. The upper realm includes the sky, the sun, the moon, the stars, the planets, and constellations (milky way in particular) and was called Hanan Pacha (in Quechua). The Hanan Pacha was inhabited by Inti, the masculine sun god and Mama Killa, the feminine moon goddess. The lower realm is where earth spirits reside, or the people who inhabit the earthly realms.

As close to the upper realm you can get!

Popular Trails Leading To Machu Picchu

Ancient Inca rulers forged trails and communication systems through this region over 18,600 miles long, paving mountain tracks, building runners and swing bridges from straw ropes. Most of these structures still exist today, and it's quite astounding to think that the well-worn steps you are walking on when traversing the Inca or Lares trails; were hand constructed by Inca stonemasons so very long ago.

You can make your own way up Machu Picchu by hiking the Inca Trail or the Lares Trail. There is also the Salkantay trek, but the two most raved about journeys by far are the Lares and Inca trail. The Lares takes you through many more villages, without the same level of foot traffic you may encounter on the Inca Trail. You can also opt for cycle and kayak options, where you can visit a small village on Lake Titicaca's reed islands and hang with the locals. Experiences like these are magical, they add a few more days to your adventure but you'll leave with a whole new sense of the meaning of immersion in another uniquely Peruvian culture. Check out this comparison between the Inca Trail vs. Lares Trails or take a look at our Jaguar trip, which gives you the option of visiting these places and many more!

Active Adventures group at Machu Picchu