A Guide to Visiting Machu Picchu

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Machu Picchu….just the name inspires curiosity and wonder. Although it kind of sounds like an adorable Pokemon, this breathtaking site is an ancient Incan citadel set high in the Andes Mountains. But what’s really so special about visiting Machu Picchu?

Did you know that Machu Picchu was built in the 15th century but was later abandoned, and it wasn’t rediscovered until 1911? To this day we still don’t know exactly what it was used for, so it will always remain a mystery.

Machu Picchu was declared a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary in 1981 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. On top of that, it was chosen as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.

Visiting Machu Picchu should be on everyone’s bucket list because it’s an enchanting gateway into the past. It offers a glimpse into ancient Incan culture in the most beautiful location – the side of a mountain overlooking the deep canyon of the Urubamba River. Machu Picchu is so magical because it feels untouched by the passage of time, perhaps because it’s enclosed within a lush jungle or maybe because it’s tucked away above the clouds, far out of reach from reality.

Visiting Machu Picchu – Know Before You Go

Purchasing tickets

Over 6500 people enter Machu Picchu each day. Because this attraction is so popular, you have to select a specific time slot when purchasing tickets (ex. 6am-12am). This helps to control the crowds and provide a better experience for everyone. Just imagine if all 6500 people came right at noon; it’d be chaos!

You can buy tickets online, from tour companies, or in any of the major nearby cities like Cusco and Aguas Calientes. Don’t forget: you will need your passport to get tickets. You can NOT get tickets at the entrance, so your best option is to get them in advance online.

There are three different tickets you can purchase:

• Machu Picchu Solo ticket – $65
• Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu – $80
• Machu Picchu + Mountain – $80

There are discounts for students, children (anyone under 18), and residents of the Andean community (Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador). For these people, tickets cost about half the normal price.

If you want to visit the Machu Picchu Site Museum, you can save yourself $7 by visiting in the afternoon. It offers free admission from 12pm-4pm.

Getting there

Machu Picchu officially opens at 6am, and like anything else, you’ll want to arrive early if you wan to beat the crowds. There are a couple different options to get to Machu Picchu.

1. Take a bus from Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo (town). This is the closest town to Machu Picchu, and it will take about 30 minutes to get to the top. The first bus departs at 5:30am, but the lines can start forming as early as 4:30am. Don’t get too freaked out, though, because the shuttle buses come and go pretty quickly.
2. Save some money and hike up to the entrance. The bus from Aguas Calientes is $24 round trip. If you’re pinching pennies and want to get your exercise for the day, then this 60 minute hike to the top is perfect for you.
3. Hike the Inca trail. The Inca trail is a 4-5 day trek that is not for the faint of heart, but it will grant you some spectacular views and early access to Machu Picchu.
4. Take the almost 2 hour train ride from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, then get on the shuttle (or hike) from there.
5. Take the 3.5 hour train ride from Cusco to Aguas Calientes, then take the shuttle or hike to the top. This is certainly doable, it just makes for a VERY long day.

I would love to hike the Inca trail someday, but if you’re short on time then I would recommend spending a day or two in Cusco before heading to Ollantaytambo. I got up at 4:30 in the morning to catch the train, and it was no big deal. If I did it again, however, I would probably choose to stay the night in Aguas Calientes.

Overall, there’s no right or wrong way to get there when visiting Machu Picchu. Just choose whatever feels right for you and works for your schedule and your budget.

Best time to visit Machu Picchu

Peru has two seasons: the wet season and the dry season. The dry season is in the winter from May to September. This will grant you the nicest weather, but bigger crowds. June through August are the busiest months.

The rainy season is October through April. It’s much less crowded, but the weather is super unpredictable. I visited Machu Picchu at the beginning of March, and it started to rain pretty heavily just as we were leaving. When we initially arrived early in the morning, there was so much fog that any pictures were a no go. That picture perfect postcard image of Machu Picchu was nonexistent, completely shrouded by clouds.

Basically there’s no perfect time to go to Machu Picchu, either. You just need to ask yourself if you’d rather risk huge crowds or bad weather.

Where to stay

You can find hotels in Aguas Calientes, Ollantaytambo, and Cusco. Although each is a little farther away than the last. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the train ride to and from Ollantaytambo. There were a lot of beautiful views as we approached the Andean jungles, and they gave us some delicious chocolate with pisco sour, the signature drink of Peru and Chile.

Extra tips for visiting Machu Picchu

Dealing with altitude sickness – Although it seems like the ruins are at the top of world, they’re actually below 2500 meters, which is when altitude sickness typically occurs. If you spend a few days in the higher-elevated city of Cusco, you’ll be plenty acclimated for your visit to Machu Picchu. You can also take a swig of that famous Peruvian Coca tea if you’re feeling a little queasy. The leaves are actually from the same plant used to make cocaine, but don’t worry, you won’t get high just from a sip of tea or munching on the leaves.

Bathroom situation – Make sure you go to the bathroom before going to the top because there are no bathrooms in sight! Sorry, I guess the ancient Inca didn’t believe in porta potties!

Watch your step – Pay attention to the signs! There are some signs that lead you down the mountain, but they don’t tell you that you’re not allowed to go back up! I was with a group, and we followed the signs as we were exploring on our own. One of the workers wouldn’t allow us to backtrack and get back up the mountain, where we were supposed to be meeting the other half of our group. He didn’t speak any English, but luckily I speak Spanish and was able to sort out the situation. However, like I said, I got very lucky. He didn’t allow anyone else to backtrack, so make sure you go all the way up before going down. They don’t want people to keep going back and forth because it interrupts the flow of traffic and incites chaos and confusion.

Have patience when taking pictures – Everyone and their mom wants that “perfect” shot that we all keep seeing on Instagram and postcards; you know the one! Just try to be patient and take turns. Don’t let picture anxiety ruin your experience at one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Also, there are no tripods, selfie sticks, or drones allowed. I know it’s hard to leave all your gear behind, but don’t worry. My favorite picture from Machu Picchu (the one at the top of this post) was taken on an iPhone!

Get your passport stamped – When your time slot expires, head to the exit to get an official Machu Picchu stamp in your passport. You can also just take a postcard to stamp. When I visited, unfortunately the stamp had been stolen! I honestly don’t know if they have replaced it or not by now.

Llamas, llamas, everywhere – As you can see, there are llamas EVERYWHERE just roaming around Machu Picchu like they own the place. I mean, they kind of do, don’t they? They were here LONG before us tourists, so it makes sense that they are so comfortable; it’s their home. The llamas aren’t shy at all, so feel free to take pictures! I generally try to steer clear from touching wild animals (especially those notorious for spitting), but I saw lots of other people petting them and even hugging them.

Machu Picchu is an incredible place, and I hope you get the chance to see it for yourself one day. Machu Picchu is typically seen as the crown jewel of this area, but Peru has so much more to offer! For more info, check out my posts on Best Day Trips From Cusco and One Day in Cusco: Perfect Itinerary. You owe it to yourself to completely immerse yourself in Andean and Incan culture during your trip to Peru. Trust me, Machu Picchu is just the tip of the iceberg!

I hope this guide to visiting Machu Picchu has inspired you to start packing your bags!

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