115 years since the world saw Machu Picchu again
On a day like today, in 1911, the Inca citadel ceased to be a secret kept by the Andes. Today, you can explore it with us.
115 years
24.VII.1911
Every July 24, Cusco commemorates the moment when the citadel of Machu Picchu became the heritage of all humanity. At Great Trip World, we believe the best way to celebrate such an anniversary is not by reading about it, but by hiking up there and seeing it in the morning light—just as the first explorers did over a century ago. We’ll tell you the real story behind this date, and we’ll share the tours we’ve prepared so you can experience it in person.
The path to recognition
From local discovery to wonder of the world
1911
Hiram Bingham arrives at the citadel
Guided by local farmer Melchor Arteaga, the American explorer and Yale University researcher reaches the vegetation-covered ruins on July 24, accompanied by the families already living in the area.
1913
The whole world finds out
National Geographic magazine dedicates an entire issue to Machu Picchu, featuring photographs that spark global interest in the Inca civilization.
1981
Historical Sanctuary of Peru
The Peruvian State declares Machu Picchu a Historical Sanctuary, recognizing both its archaeological value and the surrounding Andean ecosystem.
1983
World Heritage Site
UNESCO adds the citadel to its World Heritage List as a mixed cultural and natural site.
2007
New Wonder of the World
A worldwide vote organized by the New Open World Corporation crowns it as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
2026
115 years later, it still amazes
Today the citadel receives travelers from all over the planet who hike up to see it at sunrise, just as they did more than a century ago.
Facts few people know
Did you know this about the discovery?
Bingham was not the first to arrive
Years earlier, in 1902, Agustín Lizárraga—a local from Cusco—had already visited the site and left his name inscribed on a wall of the Temple of the Sun. Bingham was the one who gave it worldwide exposure, not the one who “discovered” it in the strict sense.
Machu Picchu was never truly lost
When Bingham arrived, two peasant families—the Recharte and Álvarez families—were already living and farming on the citadel’s terraces.
What does its name mean?
In Quechua, Machu Picchu means “Old Mountain,” referring to the peak on which the Inca citadel sits.
It was built by order of an Inca
The citadel was built in the 15th century as a royal estate by order of Inca Pachacútec—not as a capital or final refuge of the empire, as was believed for decades.
Shall we go see it together?
Our team in Cusco will arrange your Machu Picchu itinerary with private or group tours, on the date of your choice.
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24/07/2026