Millions of tourists flock each year to Machu Picchu, the imposing and enigmatic Incan citadel in Peru.. However, accessing this UNESCO World Heritage site of vast agricultural terraces, intricate stone structures, and breathtaking hilltop views is not inexpensive and requires some more difficult-than-usual logistics. Here’s how to get to Peru’s most well-known location with ease, along with our best advice for making the most of your side trips to the adjacent cities of Cusco and Aguas Calientes.
“MACHU PICCHU- PERU ”
One of the travel destinations that people dream about the most is Machu Picchu. The core allure of Machu Picchu is mystery because the city is full of undiscovered facts about the Incan Empire of the past. Learners will find much to ponder about the various scientific and religious practices of the Incans who constructed the magnificent site, as well as the archaeological significance of the city.
A visit to Machu Picchu provides an opportunity to experience Peruvian culture and cuisine in addition to this historical journey. If you stay long enough, you can even visit many of the other historical wonders of the country, such as the enormous and puzzling images etched into the hills of the Nazca Valley, the origins of which are still a mystery. Enjoy a fantastic trip in one of the most naturally beautiful countries in the world with a few dishes of tangy ceviche, a rainbow-striped mountain, an oasis in the desert that looks more like a painting than a real place, and lots of pisco sours to wash it all down.
Ideal Time to Go
Machu Picchu is open all year round. The official rainy season is from October to April, although it can rain at any time of year. Even though July and August are the busiest months, crowds are always expected. In addition to the daily visitor cap, Sundays can be the busiest days because residents of the Cusco province are admitted free of charge. The ideal time to visit Machu Picchu is never guaranteed. These days, the weather is unpredictable and the site is crowded at all hours. On the other hand, misty mornings are typical during the rainy season. Fog either ruins the view or lends it an air of mystery, depending on your mood. As visitors make their way back to the train station to continue their journey to Cusco, the afternoons tend to be a little less crowded. Altitude sickness is the last thing you need on your visit to Machu Picchu. Your current location is most likely much lower than Cusco’s elevation of over 11,000 feet or Machu Picchu’s elevation of slightly less than 8,000 feet. To ensure a smooth transition and prevent common symptoms such as headaches, nausea, fatigue, and shortness of breath, allow ample time to reach your destination.
We advise travelling straight from Cusco to Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo, the town closest to Machu Picchu, by train, unless your Machu Picchu itinerary calls for an overnight stay in Cusco. After a night or two spent acclimating to Aguas Calientes’ relatively low elevation of 6,700 feet, visit Machu Picchu before making your way back to Cusco. As the Sacred Valley is naturally lower in elevation than the nearby mountains, you can also spend time there. In order to help your body gradually acclimatize to the thinner air, stay away from alcohol and physical activity during this period and drink as much water or coca tea as you can.
How to Get There
If visiting Machu Picchu is your objective, you will need to arrive by plane in Lima, the capital, and then take a subsequent flight to Cusco. Taking the train to Aguas Calientes is the most convenient way to travel from Cusco to Machu Picchu. The scenic journey takes approximately three hours one way, and the train travels alongside the Urubamba River in the Sacred Valley, surrounded by striking canyon walls. But take note that the actual location of the supposedly Cusco train station is in the nearby town of Poroy. Although the taxi ride from central Cusco to the train station is inexpensive, allow yourself at least one hour for the journey. Cusco traffic is notoriously bad, and seemingly never-ending road construction only makes it worse.
Rail Travelling
There are three train companies to select from: the Belmond Hiram Bingham train, Peru Rail, and Inca Rail. The Hiram Bingham service includes a meal served with wine while travelling on a stunning train that gleams with brass and polished wood. Additionally, it costs a lot more than Peru Rail or Inca Rail, which both provide comfortable travel on various train models, including ones with panoramic windows for an extra charge. Make reservations as far in advance as you can for the train of your choice. In certain months, tickets sell out weeks in advance. It’s not the end of the world if the Cusco train tickets are sold out. Attempt to purchase a second train ticket from the town of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes, or vice versa. There are lots of taxis and minivans that travel the hour-plus distance between Ollantaytambo and Cusco. If you have time, spend the night in Ollantaytambo to explore the town and its numerous Incan-built buildings and streets, as well as the Ollantaytambo archaeological site. To take advantage of the sunrise and avoid the tour buses, get to the location as early as you can.
You can also spend the night in Urubamba, which is 20 minutes by car from Ollantaytambo and home to a variety of upscale and boutique accommodations, including the Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness, Sol y Luna, Relais & Châteaux, and Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa.
How to Get Tickets
At Machu Picchu, guides are necessary regardless of whether you are travelling independently or on a scheduled tour, even if you purchase your ticket in advance. You can reserve one in Aguas Calientes or hire one outside the gates.
The ticketing system at Machu Picchu is divided into five circuits by the Peruvian government in an attempt to manage over tourism . Adult tickets are approximately $42 and student and minor tickets are $20. Tickets must be purchased in advance. You will know precisely how many tickets are available for that day when you make your reservation online. You will select from one of the five circuits on the day of your visit. The tighter regulations aid in shielding the website from the negative effects of excessive traffic. Examine the circuits carefully to see which landmarks are included before making a reservation.
To climb Huayna Picchu (Circuit 4 + Wayna Picchu Mountain), you’ll require a different ticket. Many find the view of the Incan ruins to be the highlight of the challenging trail, but be warned that there are narrow and steep sections as well. You can choose to begin your ascent at any time between 7 and 10 a.m. Head out by 10 a.m., when there’s a greater likelihood that any clouds will have dissipated.
You can also ascend to the top of Machu Picchu, but doing so also needs strong knees and a separate ticket (Macchupicchu Mountain + Circuit 3). Nearly the entire trail consists of stairs. You can choose to begin your ascent at any time between 7 and 9 a.m. The short walk to the Inca Bridge (Circuit 1 or 2 + Inka Bridge) requires a separate ticket, even though it was previously open. The Incas built a precarious trail along a rock face, which is now closed. The walk is less than an hour round trip along a mostly flat trail. With a separate ticket, the newest route (Circuit 4 + Huchuypicchu Mountain) to Huchyu Picchu is also accessible as of 2021. You’ll see the ancient city from a different angle and it’s easier and shorter than the other mountain hikes.
The other option is to walk the Inca Trail, a portion of one of the hundreds of Incan roads constructed as the empire grew, from Cusco to Machu Picchu as part of a scheduled multiday trek. Although it may seem daunting, thousands of people travel this distance each year. Numerous tour companies provide hikes along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, with differing lengths of time and comfort levels (although they all need camping). Keep in mind that every February, the Inca Trail that leads to Machu Picchu is closed for maintenance for the full month.
Some tour operators combine a visit to the iconic site with other activities or less-traveled routes to equally impressive sights in the Peruvian highlands for a unique Peruvian experience. For instance, the luxury tour operator and beyond offers multiple Machu Picchu itineraries, and the Inca Jungle Tour combines hiking, biking, rafting, and zip-lining on your way to Machu Picchu.
Additionally, you can drive from Cusco to the town of Hydroelectrica (which has a hydroelectric plant) and then travel the majority of the way to Machu Picchu. It takes three hours to hike up to Aguas Calientes from there, after which is Machu Picchu. This route can be covered in one or two days using private vans, according to Cusco’s many tour operators. The Lares region, the second city of Choquequirao, and Salkantay Mountain are a few of the most well-liked alternate routes.
There are numerous hiking options for those who would rather travel less touristed or who wish to see and experience other parts of Peru en route to Machu Picchu. The second most popular route to the site circles the massive Salkantay Mountain, which rises to a height of 20,569 feet and is one of the most imposing peaks in the Peruvian Andes. Salkantay Treks are offered by numerous tour companies, but for those who wish to push their physical limits on their way to Machu Picchu, Apus Peru, a reputable and well-established Cusco tour company that focuses on sustainable and responsible tourism, offers an express trek that cuts one day off the typical itinerary.
Trekkers who have an interest in archaeology should think about extending their trip to Machu Picchu and hiking the Choquequirao. Before travelling to Aguas Calientes and then visiting Machu Picchu, this itinerary includes breathtaking—but extremely difficult—hiking in the steep Apurimac Canyon and exploration of the Choquequirao archaeological site. The Lares Adventure, offered by Mountain Lodges of Peru, is an excellent way to experience both hiking in the Andes and cultural interactions with Quechua communities prior to reaching Aguas Calientes, where you can explore the citadel. While there are other tour companies that offer treks through the Lares region, only this itinerary offers full service and luxurious accommodations in their own lodges. When visiting Machu Picchu, there are sadly no old Incan hotels to stay in, and even those who come via the Inca Trail typically bring their own camping tents. The closest thing is the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, which provides easy access to the site but is either a terrifying 30-minute drive or a strenuous 90-minute climb down the mountain away from Aguas Calientes’ dining and shopping options.
Accommodations in Aguas Calientes
The chic Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo, which is close to the train station, and the avant-garde Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel, a boutique hotel at the base of Machu Picchu Mountain, are your two main options for an opulent stay in Aguas Calientes. However, there are also a plethora of mid-range choices in addition to incredibly cheap backpacker hostels like Nativus Hostel, which offers private rooms. The only sit-down restaurant option in Machu Picchu is the buffet lunch at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, but there’s a laid-back cafe and bar right outside the entrance gates. Though expensive, it’s excellent. However, you can always bring your own lunch to Machu Picchu and look forward to a celebratory meal upon your return to Cusco or Aguas Calientes.
Top Activities in Machu Picchu
You may want to research some of the most fascinating sights in the city before making your decision, as you will need to follow the itinerary on your ticket once you get to the citadel. The most significant are the Temple of the Sun, a magnificent display of the Incans’ extraordinary masonry abilities, and the Sacred Stone, an astronomical clock that synchronizes with the spring and autumnal equinoxes. Make sure you carry extra cash (coins and small bills) with you when you visit, as you will need it to enter the site’s single loo. Additionally, you will need your passport to enter Machu Picchu, so be sure to have it ready before you go to the loo or grab food. You’ll need your ticket to re-enter, so hold onto it. Although carrying it might seem cumbersome, you’ll be happy you did because there’s a barely noticeable station directly outside the entrance gates where you can obtain the unique Machu Picchu stamp for your passport. Along the route to Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes and Cusco offer a number of fascinating sights to see.
Kevin Caroline