High atop a remote peak in the Andes Mountains of Peru sits a mysterious stone fortress that is without a doubt amongst the most iconic destinations in all of South America, if not the world. Built by the Incan people more than 500 years ago, Machu Picchu continues to enthrall and entice adventure travelers, even in the 21st century. The UNESCO Heritage Site is one of those unique and rare places that not only lives up to its billing as an amazing travel experience, but in some ways manages to surpass it as well.


 

?Originally constructed sometime around 1450 AD, Machu Picchu is believed to have been a summer retreat for the Incan emperor Pachacutec Inca Yupanqui, and his successor Tupac Inca Yupanqui. The site held both cultural and religious significance to the Incan people, and is located not far from Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incan Empire. The mountain refuge was abruptly abandoned a century after it was completed when the Spanish Conquest began to take its toll on Incan people. While the fortress itself was never discovered by the Conquistadors, most of its inhabitants were believed to have been killed as a result of small pox.

Machu Picchu then remained largely unknown outside the region for more than three centuries before it was discovered by American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. Bingham was searching for the lost city of Vitcos at the time, and cataloged a number of Incan ruins along the way. Machu Picchu was one of those sites, although its prominence remained unclear due to the fact that it was almost completely covered in vegetation at the time.

A year later, Bingham returned with a second expedition, and began clearing the ruins. It was at that point that the true significance of the find became apparent. 

?In the decades that followed, Machu Picchu became the most well known remnant of the Inca civilization. Its amazing architecture, and well preserved stonework, are amongst the finest examples of construction from the pre-Spanish Conquest era, and today, millions of travelers make the pilgrimage to the site on an annual basis. It is easily the most well known tourist site in Peru, and in 2007 it was even named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. 

Today, there are numerous ways for travelers to reach Machu Picchu, but the two most common methods are by train, or hiking the famed Inca Trail. Both require a bit of effort out of visitors, although the rail journey is the easiest – and thus most crowded – by far. Multiple times a day, a train departs from Cusco to Aguas Calientes, a smaller mountain village located closer to Machu Picchu. The journey by rail takes about 3.5 hours to complete, but is very scenic as it runs along the banks of the Urubamba River. The ride is so lovely in fact, that many travelers enjoy the rail journey just as much as they do Machu Picchu itself.

If you elect to travel by train, be sure to book your passage early, as it frequently sells out. Should you find that there is no room on the main rail line there are other alternatives available however,  including traveling by bus, or on another train out of the town of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. In recent years, clever tour operators have found alternative ways of getting travelers to Machu Picchu along alternate routes as well. Some of those require driving to alternate destinations, and hiking in along mountain trails. 

Travelers who elect to take the train can choose to stay the night in Aguas Calientes, as it gives them the option to visit the mountaintop fortress in the morning, before the large crowds arrive. This is the best time to take photographs of the Incan ruins, as the site remains largely empty until mid-morning. During the height of the afternoon, Machu Picchu can get overrun with visitors, so keep that in mind when planning your own trip to the ancient monument. 

Another popular way for adventure travelers to reach Machu Picchu is along the Inca Trail. This trekking route runs 26 miles (43 km) in length, and generally takes about four days to complete. It wanders its way through the Andes, passing by other Incan ruins while en route. The trail is a strenuous walk, although the altitude is probably the most challenging aspect of the hike. At its highest point, trekkers will be climb above 13,829 feet (4215 meters), where the thin air can make things difficult for those who are not acclimatized properly. Each night, backpackers stay in designated campsites along the way, where they can soak up the beautiful scenery that surrounds the trail.

The payoff for hiking the Inca Trail comes on the final day of the trek. Most travelers are up before sunrise and begin the final section of the route while it is still dark. The trail actually passes into Machu Picchu through the fabled Sun Gate, with many travelers arriving in time to catch the sunrise over the ancient ruins. It is a peaceful, quiet time of day at the site, with few other tourists wandering about. 

In recent years, the Inca Trail has become incredibly popular with travelers, and as a result the Peruvian government has had to regulate it closely. During the high season, only three hundred permits are issued each day, so anyone wanting to hike the trail will have to book their trek well in advance. Additionally, it is now impossible to hike the route independently, which means no matter when you decide to go, you'll have to hire a local guide. Keep this in mind if you are considering this trek, which is often listed amongst the best in the world. 

No matter how you get to Machu Picchu, the site is well worth the effort. The views from high atop the mountain on which the ancient city sits are spectacular, but even more so when you consider the history and culture of the place. It is awe inspiring to think that the Inca were capable of creating such an amazing structure on top of a mountain that is more than 7870 feet (2430 meters) in height. This is construction on par with any ancient site in the world, and visitors can't help but be amazed. 

Machu Picchu is open to visitors year round, although the peak months are in July and August. Expect the biggest crowds during those months, although they are only slightly smaller at other times. The rainy season runs from October to April, which can sometimes bring crowds down to a degree, but poor weather can be the trade off. Still, Machu Picchu is such an exceptional site, that it is worth visiting when ever possible. Just be prepared for inclement weather, large crowds, or both.