Where Is Machu Picchu Located? (+ The Best Way To Get There)
Are you wondering where is Machu Picchu is located – and the very best way of getting here?
One of the most iconic destinations you can visit in all of South America, many think that Machu Picchu is located close to a major city or can be accessed with ease. However as we’ll see later, it’s in fact quite a remote set of Inca ruins, and requires somewhat of an adventure to be able to get to experience this incredible Inca creation.
In this guide we’ll explore where is Machu Picchu located, as well as the overall best way of getting there based on our experience. We’ll also answer any of your most burning questions in our FAQ section.
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Where Is Machu Picchu Located?
Quick Answer: The ancient Inca fortress of Machu Picchu is located within the Eastern Cordillera of Peru – which is one of the main Andes mountain ranges in the country.
Specifically it’s situated within the Urubamba province of Cusco, and is close to the town of Aguas Calientes (where most tourists spend the night before heading up to the ruins the next day). The closest city to Machu Picchu is Cusco, which is the most popular destination to visit in Peru and is easy to access by either flying or by using public buses.
Unlike other high altitude destinations in Peru, we won’t find snow or icy glaciers here. In fact – Machu Picchu is sandwiched between the Andes and High Amazon Jungle at an altitude of just 2450m. Not only does this mean there are very little concerns for altitude sickness, it also means we can see a more green and vegetative flora and fauna around the site compared to your usual Andean destinations.
The Best Way To Get To Machu Picchu
Given Machu Picchu is located within the region of Cusco, this gives us a much clearer first step of getting there. However, given its remote setting, it isn’t the most simple trip. Below we’ll share the different steps you can take to get there from Cusco (by following the easiest and quickest way).
Step 1: Arrive To Cusco At Least A Day Before
It’s very important to try and arrive into Cusco the day before you plan to visit Machu Picchu. Not only will this help you begin acclimating to these higher altitudes (Cusco is up at 3399m, whilst Machu Picchu is situated at 2450m), it will also give you time to rest and get ready – considering most tours leave early around 5:00am from Cusco.
Step 2: Book A Private Machu Picchu Tour
The very best way of getting to, and experiencing Machu Picchu, is by heading on a private day tour. This allows a little more flexibility, where you can also enjoy the scenic train ride from Cusco (and reduce the amount of hours that you otherwise spend travelling to get there by bus).
There are also other types of tours worth considering depending on the experience that you want. The first is the 2 Day Sacred Valley To Machu Picchu Tour, where you will explore many beautiful towns and other ancient ruins like those of Ollantaytambo and Moray on an adventure before reaching Machu Picchu. The second option is to head on the unforgettable 4 Day Inca Trail To Machu Picchu hike, where you will follow the original trail, see remote ruins like Sayacmarca and Wiñay Wayna and also get to camp in beautiful Andean regions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Where Is Machu Picchu Located
Below we’ll now answer some of the frequent questions we get about where is Machu Picchu located, as well as anything else important that you need to know.
Which City Is Machu Picchu Closest To?
The closest major city to Machu Picchu is Cusco, which is located some 112km south-east of these formidable ruins. However many commonly refer to Aguas Calientes being the closest, which is true however it’s a small town. Located just below the ruins, it’s just a 30 minute bus drive up to the site entrance.
Where Is Machu Picchu Exactly Located?
The exact location of Machu Picchu is on a steep hill that lies just above the town of Aguas Calientes, which sits at an overall altitude of 2430m. Part of the Eastern Cordillera Andes in Peru, Machu Picchu is located within the Urubamba province – which is known for its striking mountains, high Amazon Jungle and other extraordinary ruins.
Is Machu Picchu In Lima Or Cusco?
Machu Picchu isn’t located in either Lima nor Cusco, although it’s closest to the latter. Pretty much all tourists will first need to head to Cusco, before then heading on a choice of different trips or tours to the ruins from the city. Given there are multiple flights from Lima to Cusco each day (of just 90 minutes), it’s also possible to visit Machu Picchu from Lima with ease too.
Overview Of Where Is Machu Picchu Located
And that’s all for this guide on where is Machu Picchu located.
One of the legendary new Seven Wonders of the World, every tourist dreams of visiting Machu Picchu and walking out onto the first viewpoint to see the incredible ruins and mountain looming behind. Thankfully given its close proximity to Cusco, there are many kinds of tours that head here – making it very easy to visit Machu Picchu.
Are you ready for an unforgettable trip to Machu Picchu? Book your Overnight Machu Picchu Tour now, where we include all transport, permits, an overnight hotel stay in Aguas Calientes as well as including one of our expert tour guides to show you around this historical ancient site.