EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR A VISIT TO THE WORLD WONDER MACHU PICCHU!

Everything you need to know for a visit to the world wonder Machu Picchu

Hidden in the tropical rainforest, at 2,430 meters (7,970 feet) above sea level, lies Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is also known as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It’s almost hard to imagine, but Machu Picchu was once an important city in the Inca Empire. The city was never discovered by Spanish colonists and has been well-preserved. But how did the Incas build a city here without modern technologies? What was the purpose of the city? And how did the Incas reach the city? You’ll discover all of this during a visit to Machu Picchu!

What is important to know for a visit to Machu Picchu?

Before you visit the magical Machu Picchu, there are a few things you need to arrange. It's important to think about the season you're going, how to get there, and which tickets to book. We'll guide you step by step!

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Machu Picchu is during the dry season, between May and early October. This is when you have the best chance of dry and clear weather. This is important because Machu Picchu is located high in the mountains, and it can often be very cloudy, making it difficult to see the city. Daytime temperatures will range from 17°C to 22°C (63°F to 72°F).

During the Peruvian winter, which lasts from May to September, temperatures can drop near freezing, especially in the mornings. Therefore, it’s important to dress accordingly.

A downside of traveling during the best months is that there are more tourists. Particularly in June, July, and August, Machu Picchu can get very crowded. April, May, and October are better months to avoid the crowds.

During the local summer, which runs from December to March, it’s warmer, but there's a higher chance of rain. This is also the off-season, so there are fewer tourists. While you can visit Machu Picchu during this period, you'll take a bit more of a risk with the weather. We visited in late March and had clear and dry weather.

How to get to Machu Picchu?

You can reach Machu Picchu from the city of Cusco. From Cusco, there are several options to get to Machu Picchu. Keep in mind that it’s not as simple as just getting there, but this only adds to the uniqueness of the place. We’ve outlined the different options for you.

Trekking

A special way to reach Machu Picchu is by trekking. A trekking involves several days of walking through nature, just like the Incas did in the past. We have listed several trekking options for you.

1. Inca Trail

The Inca Trail is a hiking route from Cusco to Machu Picchu. You walk the same path that the Incas once did, following the original network of roads. There are various sections you can walk, but the most famous is the 42-kilometer (26.1 miles) route. This takes around 4 days to complete, and you sleep in tents at night. There are also options to hike just the last two days or the final day. During the trek, you’ll have help from porters who carry part of the luggage and camping gear. Prices vary depending on the provider, but typically range between 400 and 1000 dollars.

If you have good physical condition, the Inca Trail should be manageable. However, it remains a challenge as the trail includes significant ascents and descents. The highest point of the trail is at an elevation of 4200 meters (13,780 feet). Altitude sickness can occur above 2500 meters (8,200 feet). The air is thin at this height, so you can become easily out of breath. You may also experience headaches, nausea, or dizziness. It's important to stay hydrated if you experience altitude sickness. It’s recommended to stay in Cusco for a few days beforehand. Cusco is located at an altitude of 3399 meters (11,152 feet), and this allows you to acclimatize to the altitude.

It’s important to book the trek well in advance. There is a limit to the number of people allowed on the trail each day, and it’s crucial to go with an experienced guide. After visiting Machu Picchu, you will travel back to Cusco by train and bus.

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2. Salkantay Trek

This is one of the most beautiful hikes in the world! This trek takes you to Machu Picchu in about 5 days. During the hike, you’ll follow part of the Inca Trail, but also trek through stunning landscapes. This trek is approximately 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) long and is more challenging than the Inca Trail. It's important that you are in good physical condition and have some hiking experience.

The Salkantay Trek is less quickly booked than the Inca Trail, which means you can book it with less lead time. Along the way, you'll sleep in huts or tents. The luggage and camping gear are transported by horses, donkeys, or people.

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3. Inca Jungle Trail

Feeling for some adrenaline? Then this is an exciting adventure! This trek is a combination of hiking along the Inca Trail and other activities such as mountain biking, rafting, and zip-lining. The trek lasts about 4 days, and on the last day, you’ll visit Machu Picchu.

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4. Lares Trek

This is an ideal trek if you want to hike to Machu Picchu at a more relaxed pace. The trek is 33 kilometers (20.5 miles) long and passes through the Lares Valley, where many Andean communities still live in isolated villages. The locals have lived in the same way for centuries, and it feels like time has stood still there. The people, for example, wear traditional clothing, herd llamas and alpacas, and weave fabric. It's very special to witness this way of life. The trek lasts about 4 days, and there are porters or horses for the luggage. You’ll eventually arrive at Ollantaytambo, from where you can take the train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo). From there, you can visit Machu Picchu!

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By bus and train

When you prefer to take it a bit easier or have limited time, the bus and train are also a good option.

From Cusco

From Cusco, you can travel to Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo. Aguas Calientes is the village near Machu Picchu from where you can take a bus up to Machu Picchu.

There are two companies you can travel with from Cusco to Aguas Calientes: Inca Rail and Peru Rail. They offer train services in different classes with various extra options. Both train companies cater to tourists, which is why the prices are relatively high. Once you’ve booked your train tickets, you’ll receive a meeting point where you’ll take a bus to Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo, you’ll board the train to Aguas Calientes, where you can spend the night if you wish. In Aguas Calientes, you can buy a bus ticket to Machu Picchu here. You’ll need to have your passport with you to purchase the bus ticket. The bus ride takes about 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can choose to walk, which will take you around 2 hours.

From Ollantaytambo

Another option is to take a bus from Cusco to the town of Ollantaytambo. You can arrange bus tickets through RedBus Perú. Ollantaytambo is a charming town located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Around the 15th century, during the Inca Empire, Ollantaytambo became a prosperous city. There is still much Inca heritage to admire in Ollantaytambo.

From here, you can take the train to Machu Picchu. You can arrange train tickets through Inca Rail or Peru Rail. From Ollantaytambo, you can visit Machu Picchu in one day, as you’re allowed to stay no longer than 4 hours in Machu Picchu, and the train ride takes about 1.5 hours. You will arrive in Aguas Calientes, where you can buy tickets for the bus here. The bus takes about 30 minutes to reach the entrance of Machu Picchu. The advantage of staying in Ollantaytambo is that you don't have to stay in the touristy Aguas Calientes, and you can also admire Inca ruins in the area around Ollantaytambo.

Aguas Calientes

Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) is a tourist village near Machu Picchu. Here you will find hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops. Most travelers stay here for just one night, either before or after visiting Machu Picchu. There isn't much to do in Aguas Calientes beyond that.

Tickets for Machu Picchu

In addition to deciding how to travel to Machu Picchu, booking tickets for Machu Picchu is also important. It’s best to do this well in advance to ensure that tickets are available. If you're going on a trekking, the entrance tickets to Machu Picchu are usually included, but if you’re traveling by train, you'll need to purchase the tickets yourself. You can do this through this site. You'll be able to choose from various circuits. The site has a section called "circuits" where you can view the routes of the five circuits and see how much time each circuit takes. Afterward, you can select a specific date and time slot. You are allowed a maximum of 4 hours to explore Machu Picchu.

When to visit Machu Picchu?

There’s another decision you need to make when visiting Machu Picchu: will you go in the morning or the afternoon? You’ll want a beautiful and clear view, but it’s always a bit of a gamble. During the low season, between December and March, there’s a higher chance of mist and rain. This can happen throughout the day and is hard to predict. We ourselves visited in the afternoon at the end of March and had clear, sunny weather, while it was misty and rainy in the morning. The advantage of going in the afternoon is that there are usually fewer tourists compared to the morning, but in the morning, you get to experience the sunrise if the weather is clear.

Arrange a guide

During a trek, you usually have a guide who can tell you everything about Machu Picchu. If you don't have a guide, you can book one in advance, but there are also plenty of guides around the bus station in Aguas Calientes. We managed to find a great guide here and paid 80 USD for a 3-hour private tour. You can also ask the guide if you'd like to join a larger group to share the costs. The guide will then see if they can find other people who want to join.

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Tips

  • At the entrance of Machu Picchu, you must show your passport.
  • You'll be walking quite a bit inside Machu Picchu, so make sure to bring enough food and drink.
  • There is only a toilet at the entrance, not inside Machu Picchu.

Do you want to read more about Peru?

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Do you want to read more about Peru?

See all our articles with the best tips to discover all beautiful places in Peru.

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How nice that you are on our website and that you have read this article! We are Mirte and Matthew, two Dutch adventurers with a passion for traveling, discovering cultures, and gaining new experiences. We've translated our love for the world into this website. We hope our articles inspire you to go on adventures! You can learn more about us through the button below.

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