Machu Picchu, Peru

  • In the Quechua Indian language, “Machu Picchu” means “Old Peak” or “Old Mountain.”
  • Machu Picchu is made up of more than 150 buildings ranging from baths and houses to temples and sanctuaries.
  • The compound contains more than 100 separate flights of stairs. Most of the individual staircases were carved from one slab of stone.
  • Although many of the stones that were used to build the city were more than 50 pounds, it is believed that no wheels were used to transport these rocks up the mountain. Rather, it is thought that hundreds of men pushed the heavy rocks up the steep mountain side.

    6. Many different theories exist about Machu Picchu’s purpose—a royal estate and a secret ceremonial center among them.

Sightseeing

Machu Picchu
Iconic, sprawling Inca city ruins
Iconic hilltop ruins of a large 15th-century Inca city featuring numerous structures & terraces.

Huayna Picchu
Hiking, mountaineering, and climbing
Huayna Picchu is a mountain in Peru around which the Urubamba River bends. It is located in the Cusco Region, Urubamba Province, Machupicchu District. It rises over Machu Picchu.

Mountain Machu Picchu
Mountain and hiking