Machu Picchu Facts

For more than 500 years, this ancient city of the Inca over the left bank of the nowadays Urubamba River withstood against earthquakes and rainfalls. Left and hidden for centuries in the rainforest amazon basin, just northwest of the capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco.  Still today, Machu Picchu sparks theories on everything from their construction methods to their astrological connections on solstices. So, Here are Machu Picchu facts, the finest remaining of all Inca cities.

01 . Machu Picchu Was Never Lost

The Yale University Professor and explorer Hiram Bingham brought the ruins of Machu Picchu international recognition. He and his team made possible the publications of the findings on magazines that went worldwide at the turn of the 20th century. However, the site was never lost. Locals living nearby knew about some ruins that were there. In fact, a local hangover landlord Melchor Arteaga guided Hiram Bingham to the site, thus where they saw there were Quechua farmers still cultivating the terraces.

02 . Machu Picchu Shows Two Very Clearly Different, Building Styles

Tombs for the novelty had been constructed beneath rock boulders or caves. There is one in particular such as the royal tomb, which lies very exposed to the public; therefore, visible as is the Sun Temple, the three windowed temple, and the royal residence; all of these were finished with exquisite building techniques. Whereas the surrounding buildings and most urban sectors show less fine building style and are built with smaller rocks.

03 . Machu Picchu Is at a Lower Altitude Than Cusco

Seeing Machu Picchu postal with mountains as its background doesn’t mean that Machu Pichu is way high up in the mountains. It is indeed at a remote location, but in terms of altitude, it is gentle. It actually is at 2 430 m / 8 000 ft above sea level, which means 1 000 meters below Cusco city itself.

03 . Machu Picchu is Bigger Than You Thought

Machu Picchu sanctuary covers an area of 32 600 ha. Of course, it is only the ancient ruins that most visitors pay attention to and is the center of all marvels, but there is more. It even includes the ruins on the Inca trail and the ones spread along the Urubamba river bank near Machu Picchu. These are visible from the scenic train rides while traveling to Aguas Calientes. 

04 . Llamas Wander All Around Machu Picchu

Although Llama mates are not original to the Area of Machu Picchu, they seem to have no problem in wandering throughout the uneven terrain of the park. These cheeky mammals, over time, lost every fear of being touched. They were even taught to stand for pictures and learned to eat some fruits that fun tourists venture to invite, besides it is not allowed. Each Llama has a tag stitched to their ear, and in it, they have their names written. More About Llamas in Machu Picchu.

05 . There Are Two Determined Sectors Urban And Agriculture

As in every Inca city, Machu Picchu has a quickly notorious agricultural area, which is very next to the urban area. The ultimate checkpoint to Machu Picchu opens to the Agricultural area, and still, the panoramic and classic postal of Machu Picchu is shot from a sector called Casa del Guardian, which is inside the Agricultural sector. Then after having those great views, every tourist has to pass to the next side, namely the urban area. They had to pass through a gate, gate of gates, and see the temples and rooms of the Inca novelty.

06 . No Wheelchair Boardwalks For Disabled People

Although there is no wheelchair access in the park, there have been tourists with disabilities who visited Machu Picchu in their special foldable wheelchairs. The truth is that Machu Picchu´s passages weren’t designed for wheels then it remains as originally it was. Machu Picchu was built on a mountain slope, and the Ancient Inca built steps everywhere; therefore, with the help of a relative, it is still possible to visit Machu Picchu being disabled.

07 . Get Your Passport Stamped Before Leaving Machu Picchu

There is nothing such cool thing as having a passport stamped on one of the wonders of the world like Machu Picchu. Nowadays, it is customary for some world travelers to get stamps of places they visit, so it is in Machu Picchu and Rainbow mountains. There is a stamp station just next to the entrance door, and before leaving Machu Picchu, tourists make a small line and get nice stamps. It is open from 08 am through all day until 05 pm.

08 . Machu Picchu Used as a Film Location For Transformers The Rise of The Beasts

It has been a while since Machu Picchu appeared in the cinema for the last time. Now in 2021, one of the world’s best film franchises as paramount pictures production company showed real interest in filming Transformers, the rise of the beast in Machu Picchu, Cusco, and San Martin region of Peru. It has been announced and, it is Happening. The mechanical characters (Autobots) are already moving around historical Cusco city streets, and fans of Transformers gathered in mass to see this spectacle never seen before. It is unbelievable! This is going to be a big boost for tourism in Cusco and Peru because the film will show the world the Ancient capital of the Inca.

09 Flyover Tours Are Not Allowed

In the 1990s, Helicopters had no restrictions to overfly Machu Picchu, but according to INRENA (The National Institute of Natural Resources), the air flight operations contributed to the disappearance of the condors, the spectacled bears, the red-feathered cock of the rocks, and the multiple orchids that surround Machu Picchu. Just outside of Aguas Calientes town, there is a rotor station, but Helicopter flights are typically only permitted in response to emergencies.  Even in those circumstances, prior authorization from the Culture Directorate of Cusco and SERNAMP (Peru’s National Service of Natural Protected Areas).

10. Possible Ovni Presence In Machu Picchu Caught In Cameras

Some people claim to have seen UFOs flying over Machu Picchu Inca city. There is even a quick catch of video, but this is so poor that it doesn’t reveal a good sight to determine whether it is real or fake. The latest episode of that kind happened back in April 2018, and since then, no reports of UFOs sightings have been rumored again.

11 . A Five-Star Luxury Hotel Hosts Tourists Just Outside Of Machu Picchu

This is the only Hotel with a privileged location, literally a few meters distance from Machu Picchu Official check control. This is Sanctuary lodge Belmond Hotel corporation, and although it has only two floors and 31 rooms, the quality of service and things to do in the hotel are worth the stay. The cost, of course, is expensive but it allows guests to stay more time in Machu Picchu park, for more quiet experiences and pictures without much interference.

12 . Hike Either Huayna Picchu Or Machu Picchu Mounts

Once inside the ancient Inca city, there are two more control stalls, this time for Hiking Machu Picchu mountain peak or Huayna Picchu Peak. Bear in mind that Machu Picchu sits in a mountain saddle; therefore, it offers mountain peak hikes, one to the north and the other to the south. More about Machu Picchu mountain and Huaynapicchu Mountain. 

13 . There Are Two Places To Visit Off-Permits

Besides only mountain hikes, there are also two particular and very interesting places to venture to; when visiting Machu Picchu. There is the Inti Punku site and the Inca Bridge, both reachable within 20 to 30 minutes of Hike from Machu Picchu. All you need for this exploration is to have good endurance to make the extra hike, and clearly, if you are doing the mountain hikes, it may be too much for you to do all in Machu Picchu in one day. Based on your ticket time slot, do the mountain hike first and Machu Picchu or vice-versa. If you have a second day Machu Picchu ticket, then go to Inca bridge or if it is Inti punku you want to go, do and hike calmer.