Machu Picchu Luxury Holidays & Hotels 2024/25

Luxury Holidays To Machu Picchu With Elegant Resorts

Without doubt, Peru’s greatest attraction is the mist-shrouded Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. Invisible from below and completely self-contained, surrounded by agricultural terraces sufficient to feed the population and watered by natural springs, Machu Picchu seems to have been utilised by the Incas as a secret ceremonial city, at least this seems to be the most popular theory (academics, however, muse that it may have been an agricultural testing station, a prison or an estate of an Inca Emperor).

Cosseted by the Amazon Basin and Peruvian Andes, Machu Picchu was built in the fifteenth century and was abandoned just a century later, when the Inca Empire was conquered by the Spanish. There it lay, increasingly engulfed by its subtropical jungle surroundings and unknown to the outside world until 1911 when the American Historian, Hiram Bingham, unintentionally stumbled upon it while searching for Vilcabamba, the last Inca refuge of the Spanish Conquest (Bingham's book, 'The Lost City of the Incas' chronicles his recollections of the expedition and was written not long before he died in 1948). It is believed that the Spanish conquerors never found Machu Picchu and the local Incas who knew about it just didn't bother with it, perhaps because of its remote location, the fact that many of its residents were reputed to have died of smallpox, or maybe because of more mysterious reasons).

The well-preserved stone settlement comprises approximately two-hundred meticulously planned structures, set on a steep mountainside and divided into lower and upper sections, which separated the farming and residential aspects of the site, with a square connecting the two. Additionally, there is, what has become known as, the Sacred District, comprising three sections: The Hitching Post of the Sun, the Temple of the Sun and Room of the Three Windows. Blending superbly with its surroundings, privileged visitors can discover an extensive road and trail system, irrigation channels, agricultural terracing, hanging gardens, an industrial quarter, royal quarter and a religious quarter, along with residential quarters for the farmers who tended the land and farmed the animals. Of immense biodiversity, the area is hugely important and home to many endangered species, including the Spectacled Bear, along with otters, weasels, cats, the Andean Condor and the wonderfully named Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, regarded as the national bird of Peru.

Explore the ancient ruins and tropical jungle scenery of the surrounding montane forest. Step back in time – we guarantee the experience will be an extraordinary one. From Cuzco, you can hike the Inca Trail, finally reaching your destination four days later. However, visitors who wish a more speedy and luxurious transfer can opt for the Orient-Express Hiram Bingham train, which traverses the luscious mountain scenery on its fifty-mile journey. Departing later in the day allows the crowds of tourists to disperse from the site before the train's nearby arrival in the late-afternoon. Choose to make the trip by return the same day, or enjoy an overnight stay at the stunning luxurious lodge overlooking the world-famous site, allowing for a sunrise viewing of this most incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site before your descent back to Cuzco.

Those in the know highly recommend a few days of acclimatisation in Cuzco before the ascent to Machu Picchu. Altitude sickness is a very real prospect and could ruin an otherwise amazing experience if not taken seriously.

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Overview

Language:

Spanish

Time Difference:

-5

Currency:

Peruvian Sol

Voltage:

220 volts

Highlights

History

Being built around 1450-1460, in the period of Inca rulers, Machu Picchu (‘Old Mountain’ in Quechua) is an astonishing structure that demonstrates the style of the Inca. However, it became a secret for hundreds of years before Hiram Bingham, an American historian, discovered the wonder accidently in 1911 while looking for Vilcabamba. Appearing to have been created by the Inca to become a secret ceremonial city Machu Picchu is truly breathtaking. Made from large stones that have been carved by hand to seamlessly fit together, giving the masterpiece intricate detailing. The Inca trail is an attraction itself to some people, being approximately 43 kilometres long and taking days to complete. The Incas built nearly 40,000 kilometres of trail to connect the different corners of their vast empire with the classic trail being part of this network.

Luxury Travel to Machu Picchu

There are many ways to get to Machu Picchu, from rail travel to a hike along the Inca Trail. Belmond Hiram Bingham is definitely the more comfortable option! Travelling from Cuzco, and taking around 3-and-a-half hours, time will fly as you discover amazing, ever-changing, scenery and indulge in a three-course meal, perfectly paired with Peruvian wine. Upon arrival at Machu Picchu, revel in an afternoon exploring this monumental site. When evening comes, return to Cuzco and indulge in more amazing cuisine that takes inspiration from South American delicacies. Prior to your meal, why not enjoy a Pisco Sour, the national drink of Peru.

Hike to Machu Picchu

There are various trail options for getting to Machu Picchu. The Classic Trail is very popular, normally taking trekkers four to five days to complete a total distance of 43 kilometres. The trail requires a decent level of fitness and reaching an altitude of 4,200 metres, altitude sickness is not uncommon, so it is important to acclimatise prior to embarking on this adventure. Another option is the Short Inca Trail, taking two to three days and covering a total of 13 kilometres and reaching an altitude of 2,700 metres. Both trails encompass many archaeological sites. For ultimate adventurers, the Inca Trail Combo takes around seven days, covering 65 kilometres. On this trail, you’ll reach an altitude of 4,900 metres, often making altitude sickness a real problem. An excellent level of fitness is required.

Travel Gems

Travel Planning
Our Travel Consultants can advise on, arrange and pre-book many things to enhance your holiday. This includes everything from spa reservations and dinner reservations, to a range of special experiences available in our featured resorts that you may not know about.

Climate

Cuzco's climate is consistent, making it an optimal destination for a holiday throughout most of the year, if you don’t like too much heat. The hotter months are October to April, with average temperatures of 11°C and the coldest is July, at 7°C. The rainy season tends to be from November to April, however December can be a good time to visit despite this.

Average monthly rainfall (mm)

Average daily temp (c)

January

155

February

136

March

120

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

116

Flight Information

Please contact our Travel Consultants for flight information.

Documentation

Travelling With Children or Without an Adult

Children travelling without both parents should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. Please contact the relevant Embassy for the county you are travelling to for further information.

Visa and Advance Passenger Information

All passengers must ensure they have a valid, acceptable passport, any required visa and any other documentation for both the final destination and any stop-off points en route. Please make sure that Advance Passenger Information is submitted in advance to travel for all destinations. Failure to hold correct documentation or submitting incorrect details with Advance Passenger Information or Visa applications may result in refusal of carriage or entry into a country. Please check with the relevant Embassy regarding visa requirements well in advance of your travel date. Charges may apply for some visas.

Passengers not travelling on a British Passport are advised to contact their relevant Foreign & Commonwealth office for individual Visa requirements.

For up-to-date resort information, visit www.fco.gov.uk

Health

Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide and you should take health advice about your specific needs from your general practitioner or a specialist clinic as early as possible before travel. Those planning to become pregnant should discuss their travel plans with their healthcare provider to assess their risk of infection with Zika. For information about Zika, other mosquito-borne diseases (such as Dengue fever and Chikungunya), Lyme Disease (caused by tick bites), and to receive advice on mosquito bite avoidance measures, please visit Insect and tick bite avoidance. In addition, we highly recommend that you seek specialist advice from your doctor and, where recommended, obtain vaccinations or tablets for protection against, for example: Malaria, Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid. In some cases, treatments for Malaria should begin well in advance of travel. Travellers may also be required to show Yellow Fever Certificates on arrival in certain destinations i.e, some African countries. Please note that you are strongly advised against scuba-diving for 24 hours before travelling by air. We would also like to draw your attention to the risk of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and recommend that you consult with your doctor before travelling. Visit the FCDO website and select your destination country for the very latest travel advice: Foreign Travel Advice. Additional sources of information include: Public Health England, The National Travel Health And Network Centre, Foreign And Commonwealth Office and your General Practitioner or a specialised clinic.

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