Machu Picchu is, by far, the biggest tourist attraction in all of Peru. The ancient citadel that sits atop a mountain ridge at more than 7,900 above sea level is the highlight of every trip to the Sacred Valley.
Each year, close to a million tourists from around the world enter the small town of Aguas Calientes, at the base of the 15th century Incan site, before climbing to the peak of the Lost City of the Incas.
Ever since it opened its doors to the world, millions of people have taken Machu Picchu tours to marvel at Peru’s contribution to the New Seven Wonders of the World. Among the multitude to gaze over the estate built for the Inca emperor Pachacuti, are world leaders, artists and numerous celebrities.
Machu Picchu Tours:
6 Days / from $1249
9 Days / from $2069
Here’s a look at a few of the celebrities who have visited Machu Picchu.
Jim Carrey
Jim Carrey climbing the stairs of a temple at Machu Picchu. Photo by Jim Carrey/ Twitter
Jim Carrey, known for movies “The Truman Show” and “Dumb and Dumber” came to Peru in June of 2011.
Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger on a rainy morning in Machu Picchu.
Photo by Percy Hurtado/ Andina
Legendary front man Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones visited Machu Picchu back in October 2011.
Charlton Heston
Charlton Heston in a scene from “Secrets of the Incas.”
Photo by Publicdomainfilmshere.com
Charlton Heston came to Peru in 1953 for the B movie “Secrets of the Incas.” This film is said to have inspired the Indiana Jones series.
Cameron Diaz
Cameron Diaz and her green bag at Machu Picchu
Photo by Andina
Cameron Diaz came to Peru back in 2007. She was forced to apologize for a Maoist symbol that was on her bag. It evoked memories of Peru’s Maoist rebels of the 1980s and 90s.
Zac Efron
Zac Efron at Machu Picchu in September 2013.Photo by Zac Efron/ Twitter
Disney star Zac Efron was in Peru earlier this year with his father. The young star whipped his fans into a frenzy at Cusco Airport before climbing to Machu Picchu.
Susan Sarandon
Susan Sarandon standing with local children.
Photo by Andina
Oscar winner Susan Sarandon was invited to Lima, Cusco, Lake Titicaca and Machu Picchu in 2010 by the Peruvian tourism board.
Gael Garcia Bernal
Gael Garcia Bernal was on location at Machu Picchu in 2003 when he starred as Ernesto “Che” Guevara in the 2004 film “The Motorcycle Diaries.”
Pablo Neruda
Pablo Neruda in Machu Picchu. Photo by the Pablo Neruda Archive
Pablo Neruda’s career received a jump start thanks to his poem “The Heights of Machu Picchu.” He eventually won the 1971 Nobel Prize in Literature.
Hiram Bingham III
Hiram Bingham during his 1911 expedition. Photo by Wikimedia
Hiram Bingham is credited for taking the images of Machu Picchu to the world. His photos from the 1911 Yale Expedition have inspired generations of travelers.
Homer Simpson
Homer discovers Machu Picchu. Photo from The Simpsons/Twentieth Century Fox
Homer Simpson came upon Machu Picchu riding a llama in the episode “Lost Verizon,” when the family goes searching for Lisa.
Diego is a Colombian-American who was raised in Morristown, NJ. He started writing short fiction when he was a teenager and has pursued creative writing as a hobby ever since. After working for multiple publications in the U.S., he moved to Peru in January 2012. Since then he’s lived and worked in Trujillo, Cusco and Lima.
