The city of Machu Picchu is the department of Cuzco’s most important tourist attraction. Discovered in 1911 by the American explorer, Hiram Bingham, this city is considered to be one of the most extraordinary examples of scenic architecture in the world.

The city of Machu Picchu itself was built at the top of a granite mountain. The Incas, using ingenious engineering techniques, were able to transport heavy stone blocks up the mountainside, and once there, they used their excellent masonry skills to produce amazingly polished stones that fit together perfectly. The city is divided into two architectural sectors or districts: the agricultural sector, which is surrounded by a series of agricultural terraces that differ in type and size and might have performed two chief functions, one being crop growing and the other protection from water erosion caused by intense rains. Within the agricultural sector are five storehouse-like structures, called collpas or granaries. The urban sector: the physical separation between this sector and the agricultural is a dry moat, and from this site you can also see a rather long stairway leading to the main gate. One of the features of an Incan city (llaqta) is that the main architectural elements are found within this sector. And in the case of Machu Picchu, the city is shaped as a letter U. To the North is a large sub-sector, religious due to the number of temples there, and to the South is a group of homes and workshops built on terraced platforms that Hiram Bingham christened the military group.
The eternal guardian of the Sanctuary, Wayna Picchu (meaning “young mountain” in Quechua) towers over the Incan city. To conquer its summit is truly an unforgettable experience. Along the route and at the top are sacred structures and eye-catching terraces, built right against the slope’s edge.
The Historical Sanctuary of Machu Picchu encompasses 32,520 hectares, which contain unique flora and fauna. Local flora in the reserve of Machu Picchu includes pisonayes, q’ofias, alisos, puya palm trees, ferns and an estimated 300 species of orchids- of which only 260 species have been identified and classified.
Due to the rugged nature of the land only 35% of the territory has been studied; further investigation could reveal many surprises. The lie of the land, the natural surroundings and the strategic locations of Machu Picchu, lend this sanctuary a fusion of beauty, harmony and balance between the work of the ancient Peruvians and the whims of nature. Thanks to the diversity of the micro regions within the Machu Picchu Reserve, an impressive variety of wild animals can be found in the area. 375 species of birds have been identified, of which 200 can easily be observed while hiking.
The Cock-of-the-Rock is Peru’s national bird, and the male is the only one with all the bright distinctive colors. The Sanctuary’s thousands of acres are home to the shy, endangered Andean Bear (Tremarctus ornatus) locally known as the "Spectacled Bear".
The majestic Salcantay (6 271 meters high) dominates the landscape. This mountain is venerated by the inhabitants of the area. It is considered as an “Apu” or a tutelary divinity.
Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As Peru’s most visited tourist attraction and major revenue generator, it is continually threatened by economic and commercial forces. Yearly visits to Machu Picchu, Peru’s top tourist destination, have more than doubled since 1998 to 800,000 people, and conservationists advising UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee warn that landslides, fires and creeping development threaten the site.

Tourist interests

The drawbridge. This singular drawbridge is part of one of the most dangerous trails in the city. The trail begins in the "Building with Ten Windows" to the south of the citadel. It is a narrow path daringly located on the flanks of a granite mountain. The 1-½ mile pathway is abruptly interrupted after a hairpin bend, giving way to a precipice, spanned by a narrow drawbridge made of logs. The wooden bridge is anchored in a fissure in the stone pathway. Thus, the logs are easily removable in case of danger. The bridge and the path were built taking proper safety measures into account.

Intipuncu or the Gate of the Sun. Following the path leading to Machu Picchu to the south-east, approximately 1 ½ miles away, tourists can reach the so called Intipunku or Intipuncu, which stands for "Gate of the Sun". It was originally a fortress of the sacred city, reached through the still accessible "inti ñan" or "royal path". It is interesting to note the presence of altars or resting stones, which could have had a liturgical purpose, since Bingham called the facades, which were built at intervals, "ritual stations". Intipuncu is an important archaeological site with floating rooms and paths, consisting of lozas (flat slabs of rock) emerging as projections from the mountainsides.

Mandor Waterfall. It is an unforgettable adventure. It is an area of lush forest surrounding the town of Machu Picchu. You just have to follow the railway line from Machu Picchu Pueblo for a 45 minute-hike. You will reach a railway crossing, from which you will see a small group of houses whose dwellers will tell you how to reach Mandor Waterfall.

Thermal Baths. The Hot Springs offer the necessary infrastructure and are one of the main natural resources for medical therapy, being an ideal treatment mode for ailments such as rheumatism. They also provide a great way to relax, get rid of stress and toxins, enhance your metabolism and avoid high blood pressure, among their other properties.