Famous for being the 'lost city of the Incas' (but it wasn't the one Hiram was actually looking for and it wasn't really lost as 2 local families were living there when he was lead there), it was never discovered during the Spanish invasion and thus not destroyed, so much of it was in its original state when 'discovered'... only the forest had got there first so much of it was buried by the earth. Today it has been dug up and partly restored to is former glory... only no one knows what purpose it was for in the Incan times but lots of theories abound, a popular one is that it was a university.
The site to see is very impressive, nestled in a crook between two peaks, and surrounded by the Andes mountain range, with a river winding around its base, and intermittent clouds drifting by, the city can certainly offer a room with a view... however those that lived here would have to walk an hour up a steep gradient if you were coming up from the river (there is bus option these days).
The most well known road to Machu Picchu is the 'Classic Inca trail' that was for nobles only back in the day and now requires a permit as the allowed number of walkers are limited (booking well in advanced normally necessary). However there was an extensive road network in the times of the Incas, used by the average Joe of the day, and today there are alternative tours that either use part of the classic Inca highway or the local byways. The other popular walking options are the Salkantay trek, so named after the snow capped mountain you pass by and the Inca Jungle trail. You do not need to be a hard core hiker to do the Classic or the Salkantay route (though it helps) but it does involve 4/5 days solid walking up and down the mountains and sleeping in tents, though porters carry your heavy bags and cook your food.
The other option and the one I chose was the 4 day Inca Jungle trail and it does look like the soft option as it involves 3 nights of sleeping in hostels, restaurant food and only one full and 1 half day of walking (not including what you do around Machu Picchu). So as your perception of me drops from being the 'hardy travelling-does everything-sleeps everywhere- only the brave' kind of person (or that's the impression I would hope for haha), there were a couple of reasons I chose this trek a) cost, it is the cheapest of these 3 routes and b) the 3-4hours of downhill mountain biking and option of zip lining (including a 1.5km line!)... My adventure junkie reputation restored I hope. There is also a water rafting option but since I had done it previous/extra money cost/rapids were up to grade 4 and unsure of my travel insurance would cover it... I opted not to.
I would totally recommend my trek but so would everyone else who did the other treks that I met before/after/during mine, so it's really down to what you want to experience.... Either way, the journey is just as cool as the destination. Alternatively for the less mobile/active or more time constrained or even more tight on budget then there is the train but that still costs a fair dollar ~£100 return trip from Cusco (Poroy) to Aguas Calientes (the town at the bottom of the mountain), plus the entrance fee into Machu Picchu ~£30.
I also climbed the Machu Picchu mountain, taking me to a height of around 3000 metres and gave a great view down to Machu Picchu and across the mountains, it did take 1.5 hours to climb up and at that height walking is really exhausting, but certianly worth it for the $10 extra (400 people limit allowed to go up this mountain per day).
The most important thing to consider when coming to Machu Picchu is the altitude. If you like me arrive in Cusco directly from low altitude, you will probably be subject to altitude sickness for a few days as your body freaks out from the drop in oxygen levels. People compare the standard symptoms to a prolonged hangover (I wouldn't know), but it was a continual headache for 3 days and generally feeling rubbish. I had never known what altitude sickness really was (except watching the Top Gear presenters suffer when they tried to go over the highest desert in the world) so I was really shocked when it kicked in. However coca leaf tea, paracetamol and Coca Cola (aspirin is generally recommended) got me through my days before the trek and I was fine come the 4 day at altitude (also the day my trek started). It is recommended you wait 2 days to acclimatise before doing any treks. Basically don't take this lightly, don't try and do loads of activities on your first few days and only eat small meals or you will get light headed as the blood crowds your digestive system and away from the rest of your body. Read up on the symptoms beforehand, it is potentially life threatening so be wise.
But illnesses aside, Machu Picchu is really worth all the hype.
I would totally recommend my trek but so would everyone else who did the other treks that I met before/after/during mine, so it's really down to what you want to experience.... Either way, the journey is just as cool as the destination. Alternatively for the less mobile/active or more time constrained or even more tight on budget then there is the train but that still costs a fair dollar ~£100 return trip from Cusco (Poroy) to Aguas Calientes (the town at the bottom of the mountain), plus the entrance fee into Machu Picchu ~£30.
I also climbed the Machu Picchu mountain, taking me to a height of around 3000 metres and gave a great view down to Machu Picchu and across the mountains, it did take 1.5 hours to climb up and at that height walking is really exhausting, but certianly worth it for the $10 extra (400 people limit allowed to go up this mountain per day).
The most important thing to consider when coming to Machu Picchu is the altitude. If you like me arrive in Cusco directly from low altitude, you will probably be subject to altitude sickness for a few days as your body freaks out from the drop in oxygen levels. People compare the standard symptoms to a prolonged hangover (I wouldn't know), but it was a continual headache for 3 days and generally feeling rubbish. I had never known what altitude sickness really was (except watching the Top Gear presenters suffer when they tried to go over the highest desert in the world) so I was really shocked when it kicked in. However coca leaf tea, paracetamol and Coca Cola (aspirin is generally recommended) got me through my days before the trek and I was fine come the 4 day at altitude (also the day my trek started). It is recommended you wait 2 days to acclimatise before doing any treks. Basically don't take this lightly, don't try and do loads of activities on your first few days and only eat small meals or you will get light headed as the blood crowds your digestive system and away from the rest of your body. Read up on the symptoms beforehand, it is potentially life threatening so be wise.
But illnesses aside, Machu Picchu is really worth all the hype.