How high is Machu Picchu: What you should know?

It is said that around half a million people visit Machu Picchu most years. The Inca ruin is on the bucket list of most world travelers and should be on yours. So how high is Machu Picchu you might be thinking, the ruin is set in the Andes Mountain range in Peru. Machu Picchu located at 7972 feet above sea level and if you plan on visiting Machu Picchu, the starting point for most is the city of Cusco, so how to get to Machu Picchu? You can either catch a train or hike to the Inca site. If you plan to do one of the many hikes, it is advisable to take a few days rest before you start your trek to acclimatize to the altitude in Cusco.

Altitude Sickness

So will you get altitude sickness and that is a great question there is no way of knowing who will get sick and who will not, you should know some of the symptoms of Altitude sickness are headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, sleep problems and loss of appetite. Symptoms usually come on around 12 to 24 hours after entering altitude and usually get better a day or two later when your body adjusts to the change.

When you travel to Machu Picchu make sure you are prepared, the climate can be extreme being cold one minute and hot the next. So make sure you take with you a bottle of water, a hat, sunscreen and a waterproof jacket with you. It is a great idea to dress in layers and start peeling, as the weather gets warmer. On a guided tour to Machu Picchu, you will receive an informative tour, which is the best way of learning about all the different sections of the site.

Ruins

After you have finished your tour, you can roam around and go back to the places that interested you. The ruin is divided into many different parts that you will want to explore. The urban area, this is where the occupants lived and where there were major religious activities. The Urban area is separated from the rest of Machu Picchu by a wall. In the Hanan Sector is where you will find the Sun Temple, the tower was used for ceremonies for the June solstice. The Hanan sector also has a Sacred Plaza, which includes the best buildings of Machu Picchu; this is where you will find the temple of Three Windows and the main temple, which is thought to have been the main ceremonial precinct of the city. The Real Residence one of the finest in the city, the residence features a private terrace overlooking the east side of the city.

The Intihuatana stone sits on top of a hill, is one of the most studied things at Machu Picchu, and was clearly one of the most sacred places, it is thought to have had an astronomical purpose. The Hurin or low sector also features the Sacred Rock and the grand stone staircase that runs along the system of 16 artificial waterfalls. Lastly, you have the Agricultural area, which are a set of terraces to the south of Machu Picchu. These look like a set of giant set of stairs but were actually used for growing food. It is a great idea to get yourself a Machu Picchu Map and study all the areas of Machu Picchu that you want to visit, as you will see the site is divided up so it is very hard to get lost. On the internet, you can take a Machu Picchu virtual tour, which will give you a great idea of the lay out of the site and a great head start before visiting the ruins.

Huayna Picchu

Machu Picchu is open daily from 6am to 5pm so you should have plenty of time to visit. These days there are two entrances to the site, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. There are hikes that you can do while at Machu Picchu. Huayna Picchu, which is the peak in front of Machu Picchu, can be hiked, but you need to book in advance as tickets for the Huayna Picchu hike sell out quickly. For a free walk to do at Machu Picchu, walk to the Sun Gate. From the Sun Gate the views of Machu Picchu are spectacular especially on a clear day. It takes around 2 hours round trip and the last section is a little steep. You may take your time when doing the walk up to the Sun Gate but the walk is worth the effort for the views alone.

So how high is Machu Picchu? Not as high as Cusco but it is high and you will need to take precautions for your trip. Bring some altitude medicine from home, it is better to have it than not to have it, drink plenty of fluids and take it easy for the first few days before going on a vacation in Peru Machu Picchu. A trip to Machu Picchu is one to cross off the travel bucket list.

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