Although other explorers had previously visited Machu Picchu, Hiram Bingham was the first person to reveal the ‘lost city of the Incas’ to the world. He first spotted the ruins on July 7th, 1911.

However, when Bingham initially led a small expedition to Peru, in 1911, he sought to discover another ‘lost’ Inca city: Vilcabamba, the last refuge of the Inca Manco Capac II, who fought against the Spanish conquerors in the 1530s. When he saw what he described as ‘an unexpected sight’ which ‘fairly took my breath away’, he believed that he had found Vilcabamba. He returned to the site the following year, took photographs, and carried out excavation work. Bingham believed to the end of his life that Machu Picchu was Vilcabamba.

Top 5 things to see/do while visiting Machu Picchu:

1. Hiking the Inca Trail- the Inca trail is by far the most famous trek in South America and is rated by many to be in the top 5 treks in the world. In just 26 miles (43km) it manages to combine beautiful mountain scenery, lush cloud-forest, and subtropical jungle and, of course, a stunning mix of Inca paving stones ruins and tunnels.

2. Visit the Pisac Market- It’s an amazing conglomeration of goods marketed exclusively to tourists, along with the locals doing their daily shopping for food and other necessities. Great bargains on unique merchandise!

3. Get through the fog at the Sun Gate- famous as the entrance to Machu Picchu along the Inca Trail and offers an outstanding view of Machu Picchu and the sacred mountain of Huayna Picchu. The site, featuring stone buildings and steep stone stairways, would have been the official gateway or checkpoint for people arriving and departing the citadel.

4. Experience Maras Salt Mines- the picturesque town of Maras is home to the most important salt mines in the region.. Beautiful terraces have been finely carved from stone, as well as lintels with sculptures. The salt mines have been exploited since Inca times and during the Vice-regency, it was the largest salt producer of the southern highland.

5. See the sunrise in Machu Picchu- according to many, it’s one of the most incredible experience one could live.

Where to stay:

We highly suggest you staying at the magic hotel Monasterio www.monasteriohotel.com located in the heart of Cusco.

If you want the best rate available on Monasterio´s room, than just email at: info@myorpheustravel.com or call us at +56 2 415 77 25