Unlock the secrets to a seamless and memorable Machu Picchu experience with our top 7 practical tips for visiting Machu Picchu, especially useful for first-timers. Let the adventure begin!
About Machu Picchu
The Lost City of the Incas is one of the 8 Wonders of the World. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most visited tourist attraction in Peru. Naturally, millions of people visit this Incan citadel each year.
Machu Picchu is perched in a narrow saddle between two sharp peaks – Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu. You need to prepare a bit in advance to visit Machu Picchu. This post covers the top travel tips for visiting Machu Picchu.
Quick History Of Machu Picchu
The historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu is among the greatest artistic and architectural legacies of the Incan civilization. This spectacular archaeological monument of “La Ciudadela” (the Citadel) is at more than 2,400 meters above sea level. Built in the 15th century, Machu Picchu was abandoned when the Inca Empire was conquered by the Spaniards in the 16th century.
Machu Picchu was built in the classical Inca style, with polished dry-stone walls. The stones in the buildings throughout the Inca Empire used no mortar. Its three primary structures are the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, and the Temple of the Three Windows.
Most recent archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was constructed as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti. Machu Picchu was declared a Peruvian Historic Sanctuary in 1982 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
7 Practical Tips For Visiting Machu Picchu
Here are the top tips for visiting Machu Picchu you should know to get the most out of your experience.
1. Best Time To Visit Machu Picchu
Peru’s most visited destination is open all year round. The peak season is July and August, but you should always expect crowds here. The official rainy season is between October to April. Avoid weekends if possible because there would be a larger number of locals visiting the site along with international tourists.
2. Get Acclimated To The Altitude
Machu Picchu is at a height of about 8000 feet. The town nearest to the site is Machu Picchu Pueblo or Aguas Calientes. This town is at an elevation of about 6700 feet. You need to spend a night or two here to get acclimated to the altitude.
If you are coming from Cusco (at about 10,000 feet) and are already acclimatized, it is ok to visit Machu Picchu directly.
3. How To Reach Machu Picchu
You will most likely be taking a flight to Lima to get into Peru. You then take a short flight to Cusco, the city at an altitude of 10,000 feet, which is the gateway to Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley.
Train To Aguas Calientes
The easiest way to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu is to take the train to Aguas Calientes. There are three train companies to choose from: the best and most luxurious option is the Hiram Bingham train. You need to book this many months in advance.
Inca and Peru’s rail also offers train travel from Cusco station (an hour away from the city) to Aguas Calientes.
We did the epic multi-day Salkantay Trek from Cusco to Aguas Calientes. Then we spent a night at the luxury hotel Inkaterra and visited Machu Picchu the next morning independently.
Bus From Aguas Calientes To Machu Picchu
Buses run regularly from Aguas Calientes to the site and back. It takes about 25 minutes one way. You can also hike from the town of Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, but there are a lot of stairs.
4. Booking Tickets For Machu Picchu
You can take a day tour to visit this popular site. A guide is mandatory even if you book tickets and visit independently. There is a daily limit set for a number of visitors to the site; this is regulated by the Peruvian authorities.
Whatever route you decide, buy your tickets to Machu Picchu in advance. Don’t expect to reach the site and get tickets left to be bought!
You can book your tickets directly on the official website here: BOOK MACHU PICCHU TICKETS.
Make sure to bring your tickets and passport to the site; it is mandatory.
Get your passport stamped at the entrance – it is a cool souvenir!
While purchasing the ticket, you have to choose a time slot. The morning time slot is between 6 AM to 12 PM. The afternoon time slot is between 12 PM and 530 PM. If you enter in the morning slot, no one will come hunt you down to ask you to leave.
5. Short Trek Options At Machu Picchu
You need a separate ticket to climb Huayna Picchu but note that this is a strenuous climb. This takes only about 1-2 hours, but there are steep drop-offs and parts where you get down to all four and hold onto rocks for balance. Anyone with vertigo should avoid this trek.
You can also climb to the peak of Machu Picchu, but this also requires a separate ticket. This trail is up on steep stones and can take anywhere between 2-4 hours.
6. What To Carry To the Machu Picchu Site
The sun is strong here, so make sure you wear a cap and good-quality sunscreen. Keep yourself hydrated at all times. Even if you are not taking the hike to the top of Machu Picchu or to Huayna Picchu, you will need to wear good quality walking shoes for this site. There is a lot of walking over uneven terrain to see the ruins.
What is prohibited at Machu Picchu: drones, trekking poles (unless your mobility is compromised when you can take one with rubber ends), umbrellas, walking sticks, and selfie sticks.
Also, wear pants to avoid getting bitten mercilessly by mosquitoes and insects. You need to layer up for the chill in the morning and the warm afternoon.
I was bowled over by the dramatic setting of this man-made wonder. Even if you find the ancient ruins (temples, palaces, and houses) just ok, the view is unreal.
7. Machu Picchu Museum
Not many people visit the Machu Picchu Museum, which is located at the base, about a 30-minute walk from Aguas Calientes. The museum explains how and why Machu Picchu was built. And why the Incans chose such a setting to build this monument. If you are a history buff, make sure to visit this museum.
So these are the top tips for visiting Machu Picchu that should make your trip easier and help you get the most out of your experience.
About The Author Of “Practical Tips For Visiting Machu Picchu”
Shweta has always been passionate about travel and immersing in new experiences. Having been to over 45 countries, she blogs at Zest In A Tote to bring family-friendly itineraries and tips, destinations, and luxury stays to her readers. Her belief is that family travel needn’t be boring, and one can do a mix of local culture & food, adventure activities, and relaxation, all with family.
If you are visiting Peru, you may also be interested in this guide to hiking in Peru.
Thanks for stopping by!
Magda
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