Machu Picchu is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is located in the Cusco Region, Urubamba Province, Machu Picchu District in Peru. The ruins stretch over a mountain ridge high above the Sacred Valley which is 80 kilometres northwest of Cusco and through which the Urubamba River flows.
Machu Picchu was built in the fifteenth century by the ancient Inca civilization and it was abandoned when the Empire was conquered by the Spaniards in the sixteenth century. It remained lost for centuries until American historian Hiram Bingham discovered the ruins in 1911. Today is one of the top tourist destinations in all of South America.
The whole complex covers 32,500 hectares, but the built environment contain palaces, baths, temples, storage rooms and some 150 houses, all in a remarkable state of preservation. The mysterious ruins continue to attract throngs of visitors thanks to impressive preservation efforts and picturesque scenery in the surrounding valleys. Despite its small size the property contributes to conserving a very rich habitat and species diversity with remarkable endemic and relict flora and fauna.
Those who wish to visit Machu Picchu must reserve tickets in advance. There is a limit of 2500 permits per day and these can often sell out days in advance, so book early to avoid disappointment. To reach Machu Picchu, you must travel to the city of Cusco, from which you can take a train or bus to the town of Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu. The other option is to hike the Inca Trail. Hikers depart from Cusco on guided expeditions and pass through the mountains and forest for approximately four days before arriving at Machu Picchu.
In 2011, the Dirección Regional de Cultura Cusco (DRC) introduced new entrance rules to the citadel of Machu Picchu.The tougher entrance rules were a measure to reduce the impact of tourism on the site. Entrance was limited to 2,500 visitors per day, and entrance to Huayna Picchu (within the citadel) was further restricted to 400 visitors per day, in two allocated time slots at 7am and 10 am.
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