On July 7, 2007, Machu Picchu was chosen as one of the New 7 Wonders of the Modern World. More than 100 million people from all over the world participated in this election through an open online vote. The wonders were announced in random order by the New Open World Corporation (NOWC). Learn more about the selection of Machu Picchu. Also discover some of its most important recognitions.

• What was the event that crowned Machu Picchu like?
• Discover the 7 Wonders of the Modern World
• What are the prices to enter the 7 Wonders of the World?
• Is it difficult to get to the Wonders of the World?
• Why does it seem complicated to get to Machu Picchu?
• Which option to choose to get to Machu Picchu?
• Some recognitions of Machu Picchu
• Frequently Asked Questions

Machu Picchu – Wonder of the modern world

To visit Machu Picchu, the wonder of the world, you can choose between two options: the all-inclusive tour or the visit on your own. For this second option, you must buy the entrance ticket to Machu Picchu. Then you must buy the train tickets and, optionally but highly recommended, the bus tickets. Machu Picchu is open every day of the year, from 6 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon. Don’t miss it!

What was the event that crowned Machu Picchu like?

• 78 monuments from around the world were selected, but the list was narrowed down to 21 and then to 7. The selection was broadcast from Lisbon, Portugal, to more than 170 countries, and was watched by around 1.6 billion people.
• That means one in four people in the world watched the live broadcast. The hosts were actresses Hilary Swank, Bipasha Basu and actor Ben Kingsley.
• Special guests included astronaut Neil Armstrong, Bertrand Piccard, Federico Mayor and soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as dozens of other world leaders.
• Bernard Weber, founder of the New Open World Corporation (NOWC), said: “Machu Picchu is a testament to the incredible engineering courage and vision of the Incas. Despite the wait, I was blown away when I saw the first terraces and majestic houses on the side of this tall, incredible, steep mountain (and I thought I had climbed the mountains of Switzerland!). I was speechless.”
• He continued: “The entire New7Wonders team was moved by the sight. The good condition and preservation of the houses, courtyards and, of course, the Intihuatana, show how sophisticated Inca society was, with its knowledge of astronomy, agriculture and engineering.”

Discover the 7 Wonders of the Modern World

Although many people do not know it, there are “the 7 wonders of the modern world” and “the 7 wonders of the ancient world”. There are a total of 14 different wonders. However, of the ancient wonders, 6 have disappeared, leaving only the Great Pyramid of Giza.

The 7 wonders of the world are a set of amazing buildings, considered by many people to be the 7 best buildings in the world. These are the seven wonders of the modern world, in no particular order:

• The Great Wall of China (China).
• Petra (Jordan).
• Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).
• Machu Picchu (Peru).
• Chichen Itza (Mexico).
• The Colosseum in Rome (Italy).
• The Taj Mahal (India).

And this is the list of the Wonders of the Ancient World in no special order:

• The Great Pyramid of Giza (Egypt).
• The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus (Türkiye).
• The statue of Zeus (Greece).
• The Hanging Gardens of Babylon (Iraq).
• The Lighthouse of Alexandria (Egypt).
• The Temple of Artemis (Türkiye).
• The Colossus of Rhodes (Türkiye).

The 7 wonders of the modern world

What are the prices to enter the 7 Wonders of the World?

Below, we leave you the prices of general admission tickets to each of the wonders of the world. The price we put will be in the US dollar currency or USD. Let’s see.

• Great Wall of China – General admission price is approximately USD 37 per person.
• Petra – The cheapest price for general admission is $78 per person. More comprehensive tickets are available for a higher price.
• Roman Colosseum – The general entrance fee is 20 USD per person.
• Chichén Itzá – The general cost of the entrance ticket to this place is 37 USD per person.
• Machu Picchu – There are 10 entrance tickets during high season. Prices may vary. However, the average price is 73 USD per entrance ticket.
• Taj Mahal – The entrance ticket cost per person is approximately USD 17.
• Christ the Redeemer – The entrance ticket to see this wonder of the world in Brazil costs approximately 20 USD.

The prices we mention are approximations that may vary depending on the type of ticket and the rate that each facility handles during the travel season. Below, we will learn more about How to get to Machu Picchu, the wonders of the world?

Panoramic view of the ruins of Machu Picchu

Is it difficult to get to the Wonders of the World?

Below, we will explain with a comparative table the details and difficulty of reaching or entering each of the 7 wonders of the world.

About Machu Picchu Pueblo or Aguas Calientes
This district, now a tourist destination, is the one that hosts a large number of tourists from all over the world. Although it does not have a large territorial expansion, you can find hotels, restaurants, bars and other entertainment centers nearby. Therefore, it can be ideal for some tourists who wish to stay longer. This is because you can even find hotels and several other activities, such as hiking to the waterfalls, visiting the hot springs, touring museums and more.

Why does it seem complicated to get to Machu Picchu?

• Actually, it is not as complicated to get to Machu Picchu as it seems, although the route seems complicated due to the different transportation and activities that have to be done. Let’s look at this in detail.
• The trip must begin upon arrival in Peru. There are two possible options here, the first is a direct flight to Cusco.
• The second option is to arrive in Lima and from there continue the trip to Cusco.
• In Cusco, due to its altitude of more than 3,399 meters above sea level, it is recommended to have good acclimatization.
• After a good acclimatization, it is time to begin the journey to Machu Picchu.
• Machu Picchu is located about 100 kilometers away from Cusco.
• There are three well-known ways for agencies and tour operators to get to Machu Picchu. They are as follows:
  • The first option is to make the trip with train operating agencies, which offer bimodal service.
    • The bimodal service consists of taking a bus in Cusco to the Ollantaytambo train station and from there continuing the journey by train.
    • There are also direct train trips from Cusco stations to Machu Picchu Pueblo or Aguas Calientes train stations.
    • The Machu Picchu Pueblo or Aguas Calientes district has many services to offer, including hotels and restaurants. There is also a train station and ecological buses.
    • Upon arriving at Machu Picchu Pueblo, it is time to climb up to the archaeological site. To do so, you can take a 2-hour hike or take the buses and arrive in just 30 minutes.
  • The second option is to make the trip by bus, minivan or even private transport to the destination known as Hidroeléctrica.
    • From this place you must definitely take a walk to the Machu Picchu Pueblo district.
    • The travel time from Cusco to Hidroeléctrica is approximately 7 to 8 hours.
    • The walking time from Hidroeléctrica to Machu Picchu Pueblo is approximately 2 hours.
    • Upon arrival at this place, you must spend the night. Travel time requires this option.
    • The next day you must board the buses and arrive at the Inca citadel.
    • The return trip can be made by the same route or by train. This is up to the tourist.
  • The third option is to follow the hiking trails. There are several options, but this time we will explain the Inca Trail route.
    • They continue the traditional journey from Cusco to Ollantaytambo and from here they board the train.
    • The travel time is short, only up to kilometer 84 and from there it is time to take the 4-day Inca Trail.
    • Piscacucho is the camp where everyone starts the hike.
    • At the end of each day, the night will be spent in camps.
    • It is also important to contact an agency to provide you with the necessary food and other facilities.
    • During this beautiful hiking route you can visit different archaeological sites of great anthropological value.
    • On the fourth day you reach the same Inca citadel and after the tour you must return.

Route to get to Machu Picchu by train

Which option to choose to get to Machu Picchu?

It is entirely up to the tourist to choose which of the hiking routes they should take to get to Machu Picchu. As we have seen, the difficulty in getting to Machu Picchu begins because there are several options to get to know this wonder of the world located in Peru.

Another factor to determine the trip is the time you can stay in Cusco and/or Peru. If you have several days, an excellent option is to take the Inca Trail route. Of course, acclimatize well and try to follow all the instructions of the tour guides and also of the travel advisors you have.

Whatever your choice, always try to follow the regulations and also the recommendations given by guides and travel advisors. Machu Picchu is one of the most amazing destinations in the world and very few people are disappointed with their travel experience. Below, you will learn more about the recognitions Machu Picchu has received over the years.

Llamas in Machu Picchu, animals native to this place

Some recognitions of Machu Picchu

• Machu Picchu means old mountain in Quechua, it is a stone city, built by the Incas around the 15th century.
• It is located in the middle of the Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu mountains, surrounded by the Urubamba River Valley and by more mountains of the Vilcanota Mountain Range.
• Machu Picchu is located 130 kilometers from the city of Cusco and since the explorer Hiram Bingham introduced it to the world in 1911, it has received many titles and recognitions.
• All this popularity has meant that tickets to Machu Picchu must be booked in advance.
• These are just some of the recognitions to the Inca city of Machu Picchu:
  • 1983: Declared as Cultural and Natural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
  • 2008: Topped the list of the 22 best-selling tourist destinations in the world.
  • The luxury website VeryFirstTo.com has chosen Machu Picchu as one of the 20 most beautiful sites, which are also World Heritage Sites.
  • National Geographic Traveler included Machu Picchu in its list of 50 must-see destinations.
  • Lonely Travel considers Machu Picchu as one of the 10 most representative constructions in the world made by the hand of man.
  • Machu Picchu, chosen as the best Green Destination by the World Travel Awards.
  • 2014: Machu Picchu is considered one of the most photographed places in the world, by Google Sightsmap and Panoramio.
  • Machu Picchu was called “a fantastic city on the clouds” and mentioned among the 10 most amazing spiritual destinations in the world by the prestigious magazine “Skyroad”
  • 2016: Machu was declared the best destination in the world by the world’s largest travel community, TripAdvisor.

Frequently Asked Questions

• 1) Where is Machu Picchu?

  Machu Picchu, the archaeological site, is located in the district of Machu Picchu Pueblo or also known as Aguas Calientes. The exact location is between the mountains of this district. Therefore, you have to take a bus or walk to get there. Thanks to its location and the spectacular nature of its buildings, it received the title of wonder of the world.

• 2) When is the best time to visit Machu Picchu?

  The best season to visit Machu Picchu starts in April and lasts until about November. This is the month in which you can already see and feel the beginnings of some rain. The months we have indicated belong to the dry season and it is unlikely to experience heavy rain. However, in Machu Picchu, being located in a tropical area, there may be some showers.

• 3) How long does it take to visit Machu Picchu?

  The minimum time to make the trip from Cusco is 12 to 14 hours, taking into account the bus, train and bus trips. In addition, the journey can take at least 2 hours and 30 minutes. If you decide to make the trip in just one day, it is recommended to start the activities very early to arrive early to Machu Picchu and enter at a convenient time.

• 4) What documents are required to visit Machu Picchu?

  You will need a valid passport and, depending on your nationality, a visa to enter Peru. An entrance ticket to Machu Picchu is also required, which must be purchased in advance. Remember that you can choose between 10 tickets in high season and 6 in regular season. Learn more about the types of tickets to Machu Picchu.

• 5) What clothes or how should I dress to visit Machu Picchu?

  It is best to wear comfortable, preferably loose clothing to avoid the heat. Also, clothing that covers a large part of the skin because there are many mosquitoes and the sun, which can be radiant on some days, is recommended. Therefore, it is also recommended to bring sunscreen, insect and mosquito repellent, and also some medicines if necessary.

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu

By: Monica G.

“Absolutely amazing“

“Machu Picchu is spectacular... What an incredible and magical place. The best landscape, the mix of nature and Incan buildings, it's a dream. Everyone should go!“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, January 11, 2025