Machu Picchu Map
James Bustamante is Native to New York but born to Peruvian parents. He has been traveling throughout Latin America since early 2003 and finally made his home in Peru. James has made his way by eating and traveling through almost every country in Central and South America.
Last Updated on February 22, 2023 by James Bustamante
Where is Machu Picchu?
A good Machu Picchu map can come in pretty handy when planning your trip to the Inca citadel. Machu Picchu is found in the Andes Mountains of Peru towards the easter region at over 8,000 feet above sea level (2,430 meters). Machu Picchu belongs to the highland region of Cusco, in the Urubamba province, and Aguas Calientes district.
Machu Picchu On The Map Of South America
In the image above, we can spot Machu Picchu on the Map of South America. The Inca archaeological site is one of the most important travel destinations on the entire continent.
Machu Picchu On The Map of Peru
On the Peruvian map, Machu Picchu is situated in the eastern area of the mighty Andes mountain range. The impressive Inca city has additional hikes like Huana Picchu, known as the stairs of death, the Machu Picchu Montana hike, the Putucusi, the impactful Salkantay, and lastly, the Vilcanota river running through the valleys below,
Map Routes To Machu Picchu
Getting to Machu Picchu from just about anywhere in the world will first take you to the international Jorge Chavez airport in Lima, Peru.
Getting From Lima to Machu Picchu?
Once your plane arrives in Lima, you can take a connecting flight to Cusco or book a bus from Lima to the highlands. The Distance is about 312 miles (503 km) from Lima all the way to Cusco.
We prefer the flight since it only takes one hour and twenty minutes to complete. The bus might be a more scenic option as it drives past the coast and onto highland roads but, it takes over 20 hours to fully complete.
Cusco To Machu Picchu
After arriving at Cusco, you still have another 46 miles (74 km) to go before we reach Machu Picchu. There are three excellent ways to reach Machu Picchu for you to choose from:
- The first option is a direct trip by private transport, a train ride to Aguas Calientes and finally a bus to Machu Picchu ( Approx. duration 4 hours).
- A second option is to take the train to the starting point of a one-day hike and then walk on the ‘Hydroelectric’ route to Aguas Calientes and then to Machu Picchu (Approx. duration 8 or 9 hours).
- A top-rated and challenging option is hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. We hike the Andes for 4 days and then enter via the Inti punku. (Duration 4 days and 3 nights).
Transportation From Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
Once you arrive in Aguas Calientes, we quickly board a Consettur shuttle that will take us on a 30-minute ride up the Hiram Bingham road. The Distance is only 5.6 miles (9 km), but we have to drive up the mountain slowly due to possible wet roads.
Hiking to Machu Picchu
A multi-day Machu Picchu hike is the most adventurous way to get to the Inca citadel. There are various options the let you trek to the city of the Incas; however, there are two that stand out as the most popular. The classic 4 day Inca Trail and the Salkantay trek (4 or 5 days) are great options for anyone searching for the “off the beaten path” option.
Inca Trail Map to Machu Picchu
The Inca Trail is the most popular hiking experience on the planet. However, if you want to find a spot, you will have to book it several months before your trip. The classic Inca Trail is a beautiful and easy hiking experience for anyone looking for Andean views and Inca fortresses along the way to Machu Picchu.
- Total Distance Covered: 25 miles (40 kilometers).
- Difficulty Level: Moderate – Easy
- Hiking Days: 4 days and 3 nights.
- Landmarks: Inca roads, Sayacmarca, Winawayna, Runkuraway, and Machu Picchu.
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
The Salkantay trek is considered the more challenging sister hike to the classic Inca trail. This alternate route to Machu Picchu has breathtaking landscapes and is considered even more beautiful than the first one on our list. The hike ends in Aguas Calientes, where you have an overnight stay. The following morning we are off to Machu Picchu for the final day of this challenging yet, impressive route.
- Total Distance Covered: 40 miles (70 kilometers).
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Hiking Days: 5 days and 4 nights (It can be 4 days and 3 nights).
- Landmarks Laguna Humantay, Abra Salkantay, and Machu Picchu.
Map of Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu was a center where the Inca held religious ceremonies and practiced astronomy. The Sun and other stars and their alignments were important markers to plan the yearly harvest. Machu Picchu was built around 1450 under the Inca Pachacutec. It was later abandoned by the Inca and left to the mercy of the cloud forest. Many years later, the American explorer Hiram Bingham made it known to the world in 1911.
In 2007, Machu Picchu got recognition as one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World. Today, Machu Picchu is one of the most visited archaeological sites globally.
- Machu Picchu has two main sectors. The first is agricultural, where growing food was the priority. The second was the urban area where Inca royalty lived.
- Machu Picchu was built with such perfection that after six centuries, many of the stone buildings remain intact. The construction is even more impressive when you take into account that the Inca did not use the wheel or metal tools.
- Among some of the more important landmarks in the complex, you will find the Sun Temple, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Condor, etc.
- The Huayna Picchu hike is one of the most extreme and popular attractions for travelers. In fact, it is so popular that a permit must be reserved at least 60 days in advance to secure a spot.
Conclusion
Machu Picchu is one of the most famous archaeological destinations in the Americas and the world. Check out our Machu Picchu map to see which areas you’d like to spend the most time on during your trip to Peru.
Contact our travel advisors today for an itinerary that includes Machu Picchu, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and the rainbow mountain.
