destinations
Where Is Machu Picchu Located?
Where Machu Picchu is: southern Peru, in the Cusco region, about 75 km from Cusco on a ridge above the Urubamba River. Key facts and how to get there.
Machu Picchu is in southern Peru, in the Cusco region, about 75 km northwest of the city of Cusco in a straight line. The Inca citadel sits at 2,430 m on a ridge between two peaks, Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu, high above the Urubamba River, where the Andes meet the edge of the Amazon cloud forest.
Key facts
| Country | Peru |
| Region | Cusco (Urubamba province) |
| Altitude | 2,430 m (7,970 ft) |
| Distance from Cusco | About 75 km in a straight line; about 4 hours by road and train |
| Nearest town | Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), 25 minutes by bus |
| Nearest airport | Cusco |
| Protected area | Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu |
| UNESCO World Heritage | Since 1983 |
| Time zone | Peru time (UTC−5), no daylight saving |
Where Machu Picchu sits on the map
Picture Peru as three long strips: the dry Pacific coast in the west, the Andes in the middle and the Amazon rainforest in the east. Machu Picchu is in the Andes, on their eastern side, where the mountains begin to fall toward the jungle. The Urubamba River, called the Vilcanota further upstream, cuts a deep canyon here and almost circles the mountain on which the citadel stands.
This position explains the landscape travelers see: steep green peaks, mist in the mornings, orchids and tropical plants, and a climate that is warmer and wetter than in Cusco. It also explains the logistics: there is no road to the citadel, and the railway along the river is the main way in.
The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
The citadel is the heart of a much larger protected area, the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. It includes the Inca Trail, dozens of other Inca sites such as Wiñay Wayna and Phuyupatamarca, and a range of ecosystems from high grassland to cloud forest. It is home to hundreds of bird species, including the Andean cock-of-the-rock, Peru’s national bird, as well as the spectacled bear and many orchids. Both the cultural and the natural value of the area are recognized by UNESCO.
Why the Incas built it here
Machu Picchu was built in the 15th century, most likely as a royal estate of the Inca ruler Pachacútec. The site was chosen for its sacred mountains, its views over the river canyon and its position between the high Andes and the warm valleys below. Its terraces, temples and water channels were designed around the shape of the mountain itself, and many buildings line up with the sun and the surrounding peaks.
Who “discovered” Machu Picchu?
The Spanish never found Machu Picchu, which is one reason it survived so well. Local farmers always knew it was there. It became world-famous in 1911, when the American explorer Hiram Bingham was guided to the ruins by people living in the valley, and his photographs were published soon after. Today the citadel is Peru’s best-known landmark and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
What is near Machu Picchu
- Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo): the town at the foot of the mountain, with hotels, restaurants and the bus station. Read our Aguas Calientes guide.
- The Sacred Valley: the fertile valley of the Urubamba, with Pisac, Ollantaytambo and the train station, about 1.5–2 hours from Machu Picchu by train.
- Cusco: the former Inca capital, about 4 hours away by road and train, and the base for most trips.
- The Inca Trail: the ancient path that reaches Machu Picchu on foot through the Sun Gate.
How to get there
There is no road to Machu Picchu. From Cusco, most travelers drive to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, take the train to Aguas Calientes and ride the bus up to the citadel. Others arrive on foot on the Inca Trail. Read our guide on how to get to Machu Picchu, or join a Machu Picchu Day Tour from Cusco.
Coming from Lima or abroad
Lima, Peru’s capital, is on the Pacific coast, far from Machu Picchu. International flights land in Lima, and the usual route is a 1 h 20 flight to Cusco, then the road and train journey. A Machu Picchu tour from Lima is reserved for phase 2; for now, use custom trips for Lima-based planning, or start with the Cusco & Machu Picchu 4 Days package from Cusco airport.
Altitude and climate
At 2,430 m, Machu Picchu is lower than Cusco (3,400 m), so most visitors feel the altitude more in the city than at the citadel. The climate is mild all year, with a dry season from April to October and a rainy season from November to March. Read more in our guides to Machu Picchu altitude and the best time to visit.
Tours to link
Plan this with a local team
Private train tour
Machu Picchu Day Tour from Cusco
See Machu Picchu in one day from Cusco with private transport and guide, train, shuttle bus and entrance ticket included. Ask our local team for a quote.
Designed around you
Custom Peru Trip
Design a custom Machu Picchu and Peru trip with a Cusco-based team. Share your dates, interests and budget for an itemized quote.
Machu Picchu journey
Cusco & Machu Picchu 4 Days
Cusco city tour, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu in 4 days. Hotels, trains, guides, transfers and every entrance ticket included.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers
Is Machu Picchu in Peru or Bolivia?
Machu Picchu is in Peru, in the Cusco region in the south of the country.
What is the nearest airport to Machu Picchu?
Cusco airport. From Cusco, Machu Picchu is a road and train journey of about 4 hours.
How far is Machu Picchu from Lima?
It is too far to drive in a day. Most travelers fly from Lima to Cusco in about 1 hour 20 minutes and continue by road and train.
Is Machu Picchu in the Amazon rainforest?
Not exactly. It sits on the eastern slopes of the Andes, in the cloud forest where the mountains begin to drop toward the Amazon basin.
How high is Machu Picchu?
The citadel is at 2,430 m (7,970 ft) above sea level, almost 1,000 m lower than Cusco.