Machu Picchu (Quechua: Old Mountain) is a well-preserved pre-Columbian Inca ruin located on a high mountain ridge, it is located above the Urubamba river. The whole archaeological complex covers approximately 5 square kilometers.

Machu Picchu is also one of the Inca's best kept secrets, since they did not left written records and Spanish chronicles made no mention of the citadel, it remained a mystery. It was discovered only in 1911 by the American Yale professor Hiram Bingham. The building style is "late imperial Inca" thought to have been a sanctuary or temple inhabited by high priests and the "Virgins of the Sun" (chosen women). Excavations revealed that of the 135 skeletons found, 109 were women. No signs of post Conquest occupation were unearthed.

Best Tours including a Machu Picchu visit:

• Total Peru - 21 days.
• Extreme Adrenalin in Peru - 19 days.
• From the Andes to the Rainforest - 16 days.
• Peru's Mystic Experience - 15 days.
• Royal Tour - 14 days.
• Machu Picchu & the Amazon - 12 days.
• Machu Picchu, Nasca & Titicaca - 12 days.
• Wonders of Peru & Bolivia - 12 days.
• Gastronomic Tour - 11 days.
• Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - 10 days.
• Machu Picchu & Titicaca Lake - 10 days.
• Machu Picchu & Rainforest - 10 days.
• Machu Picchu & Nasca Lines - 10 days.
• Peru for couples - 10 days.
• Cusco & Machu Picchu - 7 days.
• Honeymoon in Machu Picchu - 7 days.

More information:

• Inca stage.
• Machu Picchu, the Center (newsletter article).
• Machu Picchu, the Sanctuary (newsletter article).
• The city awakes (newsletter article).

Hotels in Machu Picchu town:

• Hatuchay Towers - 3 stars.
• Inti Inn - 3 stars.
• Machu Picchu Inn - 3 stars.
• Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel - 3 stars.
• Presidente Hotel - 3 stars.
• Rupa Wasi - 3 stars.
• Sanctuary Lodge - 3 stars.