In addition to the exceptional natural riches, there is the Machu Picchu archaeological complex, declared a Mixed World Heritage (natural and cultural) by UNESCO in 1983. Machu Picchu is one of the new 7 Wonders of the Modern World. To give you an impetus and a feeling of excitement before the trip, we have decided to offer you a little insight into just what you’ll be paying for. Bellow you will find a general description from the area, it highlights important touristic points and activities, most of which are contained within your tour package.

But before we show it to you, in order to ensure maximum enjoyment on this trip, participants should take note of the following:

• Students should be aware that besides breakfast, there will be no other food served. It is advisable to come with at least enough money so that the rest of your meals, snacks and other food items can be purchased along the way.
• Appropriate gear will be necessary as some trekking activity might take place during this tour, as well as a bathing suit since we will be able to bathe and bask at local hot spring baths.
• The weather gets cold and rainy so please bring winter clothing and rain gear.

Machu Picchu Special Features

Machu Picchu is an Incan city surrounded by temples, terraces and water channels, built on a mountaintop. It was built with huge blocks of stone joined to each other without any mortar. Today it has been designated cultural heritage of humanity in recognition of its political, religious and administrative importance during the age of the Incas. Machu Picchu is located in the rainforests of Cusco, in surroundings of extraordinary natural beauty. In its heyday it was probably the most impressive urban creation of the Inca Empire. It is formed of giant walls, terraces and ramps that appear to have been cut naturally from continuous rocky escarpments. Architecturally it is divided into two sectors or zones.

The Intihuatana or sundial is a monolith found in one of the esplanades of the Temple of the Three Windows (Templo de las Tres Ventanas), located in the citadel of Machu Picchu. It is a true magnetic pole and cosmic axis. Its four corners are aligned with the cardinal points of the planet. There is evidence of the Sun, Moon, Water and Stone cults in many other buildings of this historic sanctuary. Everyday, hundreds of tourists soak up the energy from this stone monument.

Considered as one of most important archaeological jewels in the world, the Inca city of Machu Picchu is surrounded by a thick jungle containing a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Rhere is an ongoing project in the area dedicated to researching and conserving the orchids that are native to Machu Picchu, preserving genetic material and repopulating areas affected by fires and other natural disasters within the Historic Sanctuary. So far, 9 new species have been reported, including the Oncidium koechliniana Collantes & Gerlach sp, as well as 75 newly recorded species for the area.

The Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary (SMH) is Peru’s most visited natural protected area. Declared a Natural and Cultural Heritage to Humanity, the sanctuary protects archaeological complexes, as well as ecosystems with a wide diversity of wild flora and fauna, some of which is considered to be endangered. The SHM is located in Machu Picchu district, Urubamba province, Cusco department. It stretches over an area of 32,592 hectares (80,537 acres), with impressive Inca archaeological complexes, sites and monuments with a high historical and cultural value. The main attraction is the universal jewel: Machu Picchu, connected with various archaeological sites through the Qhapaq Ñan network (known as the Inca Trail).

The SHM boasts exceptional geographical features, with micro-climates that are a source of great biological diversity, spread between the Andes and mountain ranges adjacent to the jungle. It runs from snowy peaks at heights of 6,000 meters (19,685 feet) above sea level to the wetter and warm area of the Urubamba River (which divides the sanctuary in two by forming the Torontoy canyon) under 2,000 meters (6,562 feet) above sea level.