Machu Picchu: The Lost City of Inca in the Clouds

Machu Picchu is the lost Inca city in the sky. Seven days and six nights, from the Cusco plateau to the Inca Trail, explore this wonder hanging on the ridge amid the mist of the Andes.

First, we arrived at Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. At an altitude of 3400 meters, you need to adapt; beneath the colonial church in Plaza de Armas lies the stone foundation of the Incas. The massive stones of the Temple of the Sun are joined together seamlessly, representing the pinnacle of Inca craftsmanship.

Heading north along the Sacred Valley, the terraced fields and fortresses of Pisak and Oyantai are built against the mountains. At Oiyantai, board the sightseeing train to the hot water town (Aguacarliantes), and outside the window, the Urubamba River and mountains gradually take in beautiful scenery.

At dawn, take a bus up the mountain, and when Machu Picchu appears in the mist, all your fatigue is worth it. This 15th-century city hangs over the ridge, with terraced fields, temples, and observatories well preserved, blending with clouds and snow-capped mountains—a sight you must witness in your lifetime.

If you're in good fitness, you can challenge the Waina Bichu (Youth Peak), where steep stone steps pierce the clouds. From the top, you can overlook the entire ruins with a breathtaking view. Or take a section of the Inca Trail and arrive on foot—the sense of ceremony is maximized.

The mystery of Machu Picchu lies in why it was abandoned and how it was forgotten. When you stand in the center of the city, watching alpacas graze among the ruins, clouds rising from deep valleys, you realize that some civilizations are destined to belong only to the sky.