Machu Picchu is arguably the most stunning architectural achievement of the Inca Empire at its peak. Its walls, terraces, and immense ramps seem to be sculpted from the rock itself, seamlessly blending into the landscape.
This mystical place is a tribute to the divine, where one feels a connection to the gods. The awe-inspiring atmosphere transports visitors to a magical realm where anything seems possible, immersing them in a unique cosmic state that can only be experienced at Machu Picchu.
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and one of the 100 places to visit before you die, Machu Picchu holds the title of the Lost City of the Incas. But where is Machu Picchu located?
Location in Peru
Where is Machu Picchu located in the world?
Machu Picchu is located in South America (LATAM) in Country: Peru, City: Cusco, Pronvice: Cusco and Distritic: Urubamba
Where is Machu Picchu located?
Machu Picchu is situated in the eastern cordillera of the Peruvian Andes, approximately 450 km southeast of Lima or 70 km northwest of Cusco, as the crow flies. It rests at an altitude of around 2,400 meters on a broad ridge shaped by human hands, roughly 700 meters above the roaring River Urubamba, which is part of the Amazon River system. The Inca city is nestled within the mountain rainforests along the Vilcanota River.
Altitude of Machu Picchu
The impressive ruins of Machu Picchu are situated at an altitude of 2,400 meters (7,874 feet) above sea level. Mount Picchu Peru, is Located 112 kilometers (70 miles) northwest of the city of Cusco. Mountains of different altitudes surround Machu Picchu, the highest being the Salkantay mountain, at 6,371 meters above sea level.
Surface of Machu Picchu
The archaeological complex, known as the “Lost City,” spans an area of about 10 hectares. The Historical Sanctuary of Machu Picchu covers an extensive territory of 32,592 hectares (80,535 acres or 325.29 km²) within the province of Urubamba in the department of Cusco. The coordinates are 13º 10′ 19″ to 13º 14′ 00″ south latitude, and 72º 30′ 5″ to 27º 36′ 33″ west longitude.
General Information about Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu, meaning “old mountain,” derives its name from the location of the Inca citadel. Built in the 15th century, it is believed to have been constructed at the request of the Inca Pachacutec. The exact location is in the district of Machu Picchu, province of Urubamba, 110 km northeast of Cusco.
The site was interconnected with the entire Inca Empire via the “Qhapaq Ñan,” a renowned network of Inca roads. The annual temperature ranges from a minimum of 6.2º C to a maximum of 29.5º C. The citadel consists of two main sectors: the agricultural sector, with its terraces, and the urban sector, which served administrative functions.
The average altitude of the citadel is 2,400 meters above sea level. The mountains of Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu offer ideal vantage points for panoramic photographs of the entire architectural complex.
