Why Machu Picchu Has Been on My Bucket List for Years

Machu Picchu has been on my travel bucket list for years, and this fall I finally get to experience it. In one of my last posts I shared why the Peruvian Amazon earned a spot on that list - now I’m diving into one of the most iconic archaeological wonders on earth.

What Makes Machu Picchu So Fascinating

Archaeology has always captivated me. I took an archaeology class in my first year of university, but memorizing dates wasn’t for me. Actually learning about ancient cultures, discovering what they were able to build and accomplish without the modern equipment we have today and standing amid the ruins, that is what draws me in.

If you are like me, you probably love a good Indiana Jones adventure where they explore ancient ruins in search of artifacts or the suspense of The Curse of Oak Island, waiting in anticipation to see what they might uncover during their digs. That sense of mystery is irresistible. Vince and I have travelled to many places for exactly this reason, to learn about and experience the ingenuity of past civilizations.

I’ve wandered Chichen Itza, Angkor Wat, the Pyramids of Giza, Khajuraho, the Callanish standing stones and Pompeii. But Machu Picchu – often called the Lost City of the Incas – is one ancient site that is still waiting for me.

UNESCO World Heritage Significance

According to Encyclopedia Britannica, Machu Picchu’s protected area spans more than 32,500 hectares, making it one of the largest and most significant archaeological and natural heritage sites in the world.

Although built in the 1400s, Machu Picchu wasn’t widely known in the West until Yale University professor Hiram Bingham reached it in 1911. It was designated a UNESCO world heritage site in 1983 under both cultural and natural criteria and it is one of the few places on earth with this dual recognition. One of UNESCO’s top criteria? The site must represent a masterpiece of human creative genius, and Machu Picchu certainly does.

Inca Engineering Highlights

Built during the reign of Emperor Pachacuti, Machu Picchu showcases the brilliance of Inca engineering. It was built without modern tools, or even the wheel and yet has survived the passage of time.

Highlights I can’t wait to see:

• Temple of the Sun: a curved stone tower built to honour the sun god. The structure includes a rock alter and the Royal tomb.

• Intihuatana Stone: a precision astronomical clock and calendar for tracking solstices, equinoxes and agricultural seasons.

• Temple of the Condor: a natural rock formation resembling the wings of a condor.

• Temple of Three Windows: trapezoidal windows framing views of the mountains.

• Sun Gate: one of the best panoramic views of Machu Picchu, the mountains and the Urubamba Valley.

• Terraces, stairways, channels, and fountains – all built with mortarless stonework that fits together flawlessly.

Every structure reflects the Incas’ deep connection to the sun and their mastery of stonework.

Essential Tips for Visiting Machu Picchu

To help protect the site, there are limits on the number of visitors each day. Also, each ticket has a designated route that must be taken throughout the site to help protect sensitive areas and prevent over crowding.

A few essentials:

· Book early to make sure you get a ticket

· Routes are assigned, you must follow your designated circuit

· Altitude matters: Machu Picchu sits at an elevation of 2,430 metres and Cusco is even higher at approximately 3,400 metres.

Altitude sickness can begin around 2,400 metres. So, expect possible shortness of breath, headaches, nausea and fatigue.

To acclimate more easily:

· Arrive a few days before your visit

· Stay hydrated

· Eat light, easily digested meals

· Avoid alcohol and caffeine

Best Time to Visit Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu can be visited year round, but when you go really depends on your preferences. There are two main seasons, the Rainy Season and the Dry Season.

The Rainy Season (Late November – March)

There is lots of rain, high humidity and clouds making the trails and ground muddy but also keeping the nights warm. During this season, the temperature ranges between 7 and 22 degrees Celsius.

Many trails close during this time, but if you don’t mind getting a little damp and muddy there are a lot fewer tourists around.

The Dry Season (Mid April – October)

There are consistently warmer temperatures up to 25 degrees but it can get cool in the afternoon. The skies are clear and the days are generally sunny.

The dry season is the high season for tourists, but closer to September and October the numbers start to taper off.

We are going at the end of September. September offers:

• Dry-season weather (May–September)

• Comfortable temperatures between 12°C and 24°C

• Slightly thinner crowds at the tail end of peak season

Since we’ll already be in Peru after our Amazon riverboat adventure, the timing couldn’t be better. There may be more cloud cover in the early mornings, but it should burn off quickly.

What I am Most Excited to Experience

• The Sun Gate

• The terraces

• The resident llamas

• The stonework

• The panoramic views

• The sense of history and wonder

In many of the ancient sites we have visited there is a feeling that is hard to describe and can’t be captured in photos, I expect the same at Machu Picchu. To stand where the Inca stood, to walk among the buildings, to experience traversing the roads they once walked. It is almost haunting and so hard to put into words.

Machu Picchu has been on my travel bucket list for years and I am thrilled to be making it a reality.

In my next post, I’ll share exactly how we are getting there – planes, trains and a sunrise arrival at Machu Picchu along with what we will be seeing in the surrounding countryside.

If Machu Picchu is on your bucket list, contact me to help make it a reality for you.

Gallery

Some Ancient Sites I have Visited

Let’s make your next adventure easy. Reach out anytime — I’m here to help you plan with confidence.

talitha@solderastravel.ca