The location of Machupicchu is 112.5 km. northeast of the city of Cusco, at 2,350 meters, within the Machu Picchu Archaeological Park, which comprises a large area of the province of Urubamba in the Cusco Department. It is surrounded by a huge forest of majestic mountains.
The surface of the Archaeological Park, the urban and agricultural area, cover a total of 32 592 hectares. It is located on the eastern slopes of the Cordillera de Vilcabamba mountain range bordering the rivers Apurimac and Urubamba.
It is located at 13 ° 9 ’47 “South latitude and 72 ° 32′ 44” W, in the province of Urubamba. The nearest major city is Cusco, the capital region and ancient capital of the Incas, 130 km away.
The mountains,Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu are part of a larger formation known as orographic Vilcabamba Batholith, in the Central Cordillera of the Peruvian Andes. They are located on the left bank of the Urubamba Canyon, formerly known as Quebrada de Picchu.
At the bottom of the hills is the Vilcanota-Urubamba River. The Inca archaeological site is located halfway between the tops of two mountains, 450 meters above the valley and 2438 meters over sea level. The floor area is approximately 530 meters long by 200 meters wide, with 172 buildings in its urban area. Biogeographically is in the Peruvian Yungas ecoregion.
Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary is spread over an area of 32,592 hectares, the sanctuary protects a number of biological species endangered in several Inca establishments, including Machu Picchu which is considered primary.
Machu Picchu is protected within the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, a nature and archaeological reserve covering 32,592 hectares. Preserves many archaeological treasures linked by Qhapaq Nan, the famous Inca Trail, as well as spectacular scenery and varied habitats that are the natural habitat of numerous important species of flora and fauna.
There have been ten living areas and two different ecoregions within the sanctuary. Among these, the most important are ecologically Andean grasslands, tall dwarf forests, and the high forest (or yunga), including cloud forest and mountain brow. This immense diversity of habitat, at the same time, has led to an amazing diversity of flora and fauna. In fact, the sanctuary has most biodiverse ecosystems that surround it and a lot of native species that deserve protection.
The climate is mild throughout the year, quite rainy between November and March, dry and warm from April to October, and recommended suitable season for visit. The annual minimum temperature is between 8 and 11.2 degrees Celsius. In the months of June, July and August the temperature is often below freezing. The annual maximum temperature varies from 20.4 to 26.6 degrees Celsius.
Machu Picchu is the home of the Inca archaeological highest expression, it is the most visited and the best known internationally of Peru, a prime tourist destination, the district capital is called Aguas Calientes, a small town that offers accommodation to tourists and serves as a recreational center for all travelers to Machu Picchu, it also has hot springs that are the delight for travelers.
The way to get to Machu Picchu is by train or from the Inca roads that reach it.