Hotels in Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu: Inca Citadel at 2,430 Metres

Machu Picchu sits at 2,430 metres above sea level in the Cusco Region of southern Peru, constructed by the Inca emperor Pachacuti around 1450 CE. The site covers roughly 32,500 hectares of mountainous terrain above the Urubamba River gorge. UNESCO inscribed it as a World Heritage Site in 1983, and it draws over 1.5 million visitors annually. The citadel divides into two main zones: the Agricultural Sector of terraced fields and the Urban Sector containing the Temple of the Sun, Intihuatana stone, and the Room of the Three Windows.

Getting Around & Where to Stay

The only road access runs from Aguas Calientes (officially Machu Picchu Pueblo), the gateway town 8 km below the citadel by bus. Trains from Cusco (128 km northwest) take roughly 3.5 hours via PorayPerú Rail or Inca Rail to Aguas Calientes. The Peruvian government caps daily entry to 5,600 visitors across timed entry slots; tickets sell out weeks ahead during May–October dry season. Hotels in Aguas Calientes range from basic guesthouses along the Avenida Imperio de los Incas to the single on-site Belmond Sanctuary Lodge adjacent to the citadel gate.

Practical Tips

• Altitude: Acclimatise in Cusco for 1–2 days before visiting; the citadel sits lower than Cusco (3,399 m) but ascent exertion affects unprepared visitors.
• Entry tickets: Book through the official Perú portal at least 2 weeks ahead in high season.
• Weather: Dry season runs May–October; afternoon clouds are common year-round.
• Footwear: Wear closed-toe shoes with grip — stone paths become slick after rain.