Peru has countless extraordinary places to visit, but Machu Picchu captures the imagination of millions. As one of the new wonders of the modern world, it truly is a window to the past. Google, of course, has brought its Street View technology to Machu Picchu, creating a strikingly high-quality virtual tour of the ruins.
Google Street View has reached places that belong on any traveler's bucket list: the Taj Mahal, the Liwa Oasis, the Amazon. It's not the same as experiencing their magic in person, but it certainly brings us closer. So what's next? The famous Street View Trekker has made its way to Machu Picchu, climbing nearly two and a half kilometers above sea level to capture and share unique images of the region. The journey begins with a magnificent luxury train that seems to have been transported through time, connecting Cusco with Aguas Calientes.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/Pi-y_SZTdhUPreserving Machu Picchu in the digital age
The arrival of Street View to Machu Picchu wouldn't have been possible without a prior agreement with Peru's Ministry of Culture. The Astronomical Observatory, the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows, and the Group of Three Doors are among the sites digitally preserved with Street View, but that's not all. Thanks to the Google Cultural Institute, the section dedicated to the Wonders of Machu Picchu presents a virtual exhibition featuring over a hundred artifacts from the Museo Machu Picchu at Casa Concha.
Whether you're planning your next getaway, seeking information beyond online encyclopedias, or just curious, the Machu Picchu tour on Google Street View is simply unmissable. And it begs for extended virtual reality support. We all know Cardboard, but it would be great for users if Google decided to officially support headsets like the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and Samsung Gear VR.
Visit the official Street View page for Machu Picchu at Google Maps.
