Built in the 15th century and later abandoned, Machu Picchu was rediscovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham.
In honour of the centenary of the ancient citadel’s discovery, the Peruvian government made the decision to halve the number of entrance tickets available to 2,500 a day to ease erosion to the site. While it’s now more important than ever to arrange your travel in advance through a knowledgeable Travel Specialist, the reduced numbers make for a more comfortable and immersive travel experience. Demand for tickets is high, but it’s well worth booking with our team: as the most famous archaeological site in Latin America and one of the Seven Wonders of the New World, Machu Picchu lives up to its reputation.
Part of Machu Picchu’s allure lies in its remoteness; the Incan estate sits proudly in a lofty position high in the Andes, hundreds of feet above the twisting Urubamba River. The militant lines of approximately 200 preserved stone buildings cling to the steep grassy hillside, surrounded by towering peaks.
Nick
Travel Specialist
Where to go in Peru
Peru travel information
- Time zone: -5 GMT
- Flight time: 14-16 hours
- Recommended airlines: KLM, LATAM Airlines, American Airlines, Delta
- Currency: Peruvian Sol, US Dollar
- Tipping guideline: 10% of total bill
- Health considerations: There is a risk of altitude illness when travelling to destinations of 2,500m or higher. There is a risk of dengue. There is a risk of Zika virus. There is a low risk of malaria in the Amazon basin of Peru along the border with Brazil, particularly in Loreto province and in the other rural areas of Peru below 2,000m including that part of the Amazon Basin which borders Bolivia. There is no risk of malaria in the city of Lima and the coastal region south of Chiclayo.
- Capital: Lima
- Population: 34,683,444
- National languages: Spanish, Quechua, Aymara
- Electricity and plugs: Type A and Type C, 220 V, 60 Hz
- Mobile phone coverage: Good
- UK passport visa requirements: You don't need a visa for Peru if you have a British passport - for a maximum of 90 days
Would you like to speak to a Machu Picchu expert?
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For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
