The spellbinding scenery and perfect stonework of the Lost City of the Incas have fascinated historians, architects and tourists alike since the ruins were uncovered from the jungle over a century ago. To make the most of your trip to this unforgettable place, use our expert guide to Machu Picchu to plan your trip.
Highlights
- Enjoy views of the Inca ruins from the viewing platforms above.
- Visit the Temple of the Sun, perfectly positioned for seasonal solstices
- Ascend the staircase to Intihuatana, the most sacred site in Machu Picchu
- Take in the ambience of the Sacred Inca site.
Discover Machu Picchu
The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is one of the most visited destinations in South America, and certainly the most visited in Peru. Mystery that surrounds it is one of its attractions. The site was bought to world prominence in 1911 by a young Yale archaeologist named Hiram Bingham, the inspiraton behind Indiana Jones.
Today archaeologists only speculate as to why the site was constructed, but most will agree that it was constructed by the famous Inca, Pachacutec in the mid 15th century, maybe for a retreat from Cusco and the cold. We are today lucky that the Spanish never found the site and it remained for centuries covered in jungle.
Many photographers say that it’s impossible to take a bad photo of Machu Picchu, such is the magnificent panorama of the Inca buildings and horn-shaped, forested peak of Huayna Picchu.
Planning Your Visit
There’s no escaping the fact that those calm moments of wonder you seek at Machu Picchu become harder to attain due to the sheer number of visitors — at 2500 visitors per day in the peak summer months. Most of the day there are tourists waiting to enter and tourist filling most parts of the ruins. The early morning are a great time or the late afternoon as tourists leave the site in the late afternoon you start to feel like you have Machu Picchu to yourself.
To take a trip a day to Machu Picchu is a long, exhausting day trip from Cusco when you spend more time traveling and waiting than actually enjoying the site. It’s best to go down in altitude as soon as you arrive in Cusco (3,300 m) and visit the lower Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu over a few days; otherwise, you risk suffering from altitude sickness, particularly if you have arrived by plane. The best options are to spend the night in Ollantaytambo and take the early train or stay in the nearest town Aguas Calientes. It’s also preferable to stay in one of these towns after your visit, rather than rushing all the way back to Cusco.
When to Go?
The busiest time to visit Machu Picchu is from late June to the end of August. This is the driest, sunniest period coinciding with the busy school holidays. Rainy season peaks from January to March but the region can be rainy and misty at any time. Best times to visit are usually late April to mid-June, and September-October, just outside the rainy season but avoiding the summer rush. The subtropical climate at 2,400 m is generally comfortable.
There is a certain amount of luck regarding how long you wait in line to enter the site. During the day, it’s often very busy at 6 am when visitors rush to enter the site for sunrise, then slows down an hour or 2 later. Lines usually peak again at 11 am to noon when the day trippers arrive from Cusco and quieten down by 2 pm.
Frequently asked questions about Machu Picchu
What is the hardest trek to Machu Picchu?
The Salkantay Trek is the hardest trek to Machu Picchu.
Is there an age limit?
No ,There is not a guideline established regarding age limits.
Where can I get the best photos of Machu Picchu?
The photos can be taken from the Guardian House, the Sun Gate, and Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.
When does Machu Picchu close?
All seasons are open at Machu Picchu. The rainy season won’t result in Machu Picchu being closed.
How much is the Machu Picchu tickets?
The entrance ticket to Machu Picchu is USD $50.
Can i find tour guides at Machu Picchu?
Yes, but to have a better and safer hike, we advise contacting a local travel operator. Here, you can find out more about Orange Nation Peru.
Is there an internet connection?
You can access the internet if you have a Peruvian SIM card. Unless you use the Santuary lodge hotel services, you won’t have access to the internet otherwise. However, the majority of the lodging establishments, eateries, and coffee shops in the city of Aguas Calientes offer free internet to visitors.
Where is the nearest ATM?
Although there are ATMs in Aguas Calientes, we advise taking out cash in Cusco instead because they might not be working properly in Machu Picchu.
How much time can I stay in Machu Picchu?
The regulated time is 2 hours for a guided tour, the tour is one direction, you are not able to go back at any stage. Be sure to ask as many questions as you need and take your time at each interesting point.
What river is the closest to Machu Picchu?
The Vilcanota River, also known as the Urubamba River.
Which is better Huayna Picchu mountain or Machu Picchu mountain?
Because of the difficult ascent, Huayna Picchu is the most popular, and it has been in the tourism business for many years. The road to Machu Picchu Mountain is the widest, safest, and most scenic.
