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Machu Picchu is Peru's biggest attraction. Believed to have been a ceremonial complex for the Inca emperor, the ruins are dramatically positioned on a mountain ridge above the Sacred Valley, reachable only on foot via the Inca Trail or by bus from the nearby town of Aguas Calientes. Prominent features include the Temple of the Sun, Room with Three Windows and the perilous sunrise climb up Huayna Picchu mountain.
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The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu consists of three overlapping trails: Mollepata, Classic (4-5 days), and One Day. Mollepata is the longest of the three routes with the highest mountain pass and intersects with the Classic route before crossing Warmiwañusqa. Located in the Andes mountain range, the trail passes through several types of Andean environments including cloud forest and alpine tundra. Settlements, tunnels, and many Incan ruins are located along the trail before ending the terminus at the Sun Gate on Machu Picchu mountain. The two longer routes require an ascent to beyond 4,200 m (13,800 ft) above sea level, which can result in altitude sickness.
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Qurikancha, originally named Inti Kancha or Inti Wasi, was the most important temple in the Inca Empire, dedicated primarily to Inti, the Sun God. It was one of the most revered temples of the capital city of Cusco.
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Saksaywaman, Sasawaman, Saksawaman, Sasaywaman, Saqsaywaman or Saksaq Waman is a walled complex on the northern outskirts of the city of Cusco, Peru, the former capital of the Inca Empire.
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The Sacred Valley of the Incas or the Urubamba Valley is a valley in the Andes of Peru, close to the Inca capital of Cusco and the ancient city of Machu Picchu. It is located in the present-day Peruvian region of Cusco.
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Tambomachay or Tampumachay is an archaeological site associated with the Inca Empire, located near Cusco, Peru. An alternate local name is the El Baño del Inca, "The Bath of the Inca".
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Inti Raymi or Festival of the Sun is the Inca festival in honor of the sun god Inti, celebrated in Cusco and throughout the Andes with costumed and masked processions, ceremonies and traditional music and the sharing of food.
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The Cathedral of Santo Domingo, also known as Cusco Cathedral, is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cusco. The cathedral is located on the main road of Cusco, Peru, called the Avenida de Sol.
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When to go
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Best time to go:
It's best to visit between April and November. Temperatures are coolest between June and August. January to March are the rainiest months and in February Machu Picchu is closed to visitors.
Warning:
High altitude! Machu Picchu is located at 2,400 m / 8,000 ft. Cusco is even higher: 3,400 m / 11,000 ft
How to get there
By plane to Cusco. From there, a few ways to reach Machu Picchu:
- hike the Inca Trail (or another trail) -- 2 to 4 days of high altitude guided hiking
- train from Cusco or Ollantaytambo
- hike the Inca Trail (or another trail) -- 2 to 4 days of high altitude guided hiking
- train from Cusco or Ollantaytambo
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