Machu Q'inti, Archaeological site near Urubamba River, Peru.
Machu Q'inti is an archaeological site perched above the Willkanuta River with stone terraces and Inca structures spread across the mountainside. The buildings show how this community used the steep terrain to create living spaces and agricultural terraces at high altitude.
This site dates to the 15th century when the Inca built numerous settlements throughout the Cusco region. It developed as part of a larger network of communities that flourished during the height of Inca expansion in the Andean valleys.
The name joins Quechua words meaning "old" and "hummingbird," showing how Inca communities saw their homes linked to the natural world around them. This naming tradition still appears in how local people talk about the landscape today.
Visiting requires preparation for the altitude, which can cause headaches and fatigue even for accustomed travelers. Take time to walk slowly, drink plenty of water, and spend a few days in Cusco beforehand to let your body adjust to the elevation.
The site sits within a network of lesser-known Inca settlements along the Willkanuta River valley, including Wayna Q'inti and Patallaqta. This cluster of ruins reveals a pattern of interconnected communities that helps explain how Inca society spread across the landscape.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
