Elevation
Machu Picchu elevation and altitude
Machu Picchu, Peru is 7,972 feet (2,430 meters) above sea level — more than a mile high. Elevation and altitude mean the same thing here: the height of the city above the sea.
What 7,972 feet means in Machu Picchu
Among the 689 cities on this site, Machu Picchu is one of the highest. At 7,972 ft the air is thin enough that most visitors notice it: stairs and hills feel harder for the first few days.
Air pressure. Air pressure falls as you climb, about 1 inHg for every 1,000 ft near the ground. In Machu Picchu a barometer that is not corrected to sea level reads around 22.25 inHg on an average day, while the weather forecast still quotes a sea-level number near 29.92 inHg.
Cooking. Water boils at about 197 °F (91.7 °C) here, so boiled foods cook more slowly and baking recipes often need small high-altitude adjustments. Boiling point at altitude
Where the number comes from. The elevation is for the city center point in the GeoNames gazetteer, taken from a digital elevation model. To check the exact height where you are standing, use What is my elevation? or What is my altitude?
Elevation of places near Machu Picchu
| Place | Elevation (ft) | Elevation (m) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cusco, Peru | 10,866 | 3,312 | 46 mi |
| Huancayo, Peru | 11,798 | 3,596 | 195 mi |
| Juliaca, Peru | 12,579 | 3,834 | 228 mi |
| Arequipa, Peru | 7,864 | 2,397 | 234 mi |
| Puno, Peru | 12,441 | 3,792 | 250 mi |
| Cerro de Pasco, Peru | 14,623 | 4,457 | 304 mi |
| Lima, Peru | 499 | 152 | 312 mi |
| El Alto, Bolivia | 13,091 | 3,990 | 373 mi |
Frequently asked questions
What is the elevation or altitude of Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu, Peru is about 7,972 feet (2,430 meters) above sea level, measured at the city center. Neighborhoods higher or lower in the city can differ by a few hundred feet.
What is the air pressure in Machu Picchu because of its elevation?
On a standard day the air pressure at 7,972 ft is about 22.25 inHg (753 hPa), 74% of sea-level pressure. Each breath holds about 74% as much oxygen as at sea level.
At what temperature does water boil in Machu Picchu?
About 197 °F (91.7 °C), compared with 212 °F (100 °C) at sea level, so pasta, eggs and beans take a little longer to cook.