How to Explore Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, is virtually a symbol of Peru. Constructed in the 15th century, this Inca citadel was left deserted after the Spanish invasion and remained hidden until 1911, when American explorer Hiram Bingham III and a group of Peruvian adventurers rediscovered it in the cloud forest, roughly 50 miles northwest of Cusco. The reasons for its construction and subsequent abandonment remain enigmatic. Here’s everything you need to know for your visit, including the best times to go, accommodation options, and how to get there.

Ideal Times to Visit Machu Picchu

The peak season for Machu Picchu is during the dry winter months from June to August. Because hotels in Aguas Calientes—the town at the foot of Machu Picchu—fill up several months ahead of time and only a limited number of tickets are available daily for the archaeological site, it’s advisable to consider the shoulder months of April, May, September, and October for fewer crowds and average temperatures in the 60s Fahrenheit.

The low season aligns with the rainy summer months from November to March. While the archaeological site is open throughout the year, be aware that if you plan to hike, the entire Inca Trail is closed each February due to severe weather, safety concerns, and scheduled annual maintenance work.

Acclimatizing to the altitude of Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu sits at an elevation of 7,972 feet, while Cusco is even higher at just over 11,000 feet. To mitigate altitude sickness, which can lead to nausea and severe headaches, consider these suggestions:

• It may be beneficial to fly into Cusco and then travel directly to Aguas Calientes, situated around 6,700 feet, for a night or two to help your body adjust to the high altitude before heading to Machu Picchu.
• Stay well-hydrated.
• Refrain from alcohol and strenuous activities during the first few days.

Traveling from Cusco to Machu Picchu

Despite being just 50 miles apart, there is no direct road connecting Cusco and Machu Picchu. The simplest way to reach Machu Picchu is by taking a train from one of the stations in Cusco—San Pedro, Wánchaq, or Poroy—to the Machu Picchu Pueblo Station in Aguas Calientes, which takes just under four hours.

The primary train operators are PeruRail and Inka Rail, both offering a range of luxury and budget options. For instance, PeruRail runs the luxury Hiram Bingham, a Belmond Train on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays between the Poroy Station in Cusco, Ollantaytambo Station, and Machu Picchu Pueblo Station. Experience the elegance of 1920s Pullman carriages with wooden accents and polished brass, an observation car, along with live music and pisco sours in the bar car. Prices are high, starting around $1,000 for a round-trip ticket, but this includes the entrance ticket to Machu Picchu (with a guide), as well as lunch and dinner on board.

If you wish to visit the Sacred Valley before heading to Machu Picchu, you can catch a train from Ollantaytambo, a small town that preserves original Incan houses, streets, and waterways, to Aguas Calientes, which takes about two hours. Many trains from Cusco also offer a bimodal option, which includes a bus ride from Cusco to Ollantaytambo followed by a train to Aguas Calientes.

From Aguas Calientes, you can take a 30-minute bus ride up to Machu Picchu. Tickets are priced at $15 round-trip for adults when purchased online, but many tour operators include the cost of the bus ticket and entrance to Machu Picchu in their packages. Alternatively, you can hike from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and back, though it is quite steep and takes about 90 minutes each way.

Tips for hiking to Machu Picchu

For those seeking an adventure, you can hike to Machu Picchu via a multi-day trek or a shorter day hike. Regardless of the route chosen, it's important to spend a few days acclimating to the altitude before embarking on your journey.

The most renowned trek is the Inca Trail, an ancient path that ascends from the Sacred Valley into the Andes Mountains, reaching altitudes over 13,000 feet. A permit and a licensed guide are necessary for hiking the trail, so it's advisable to book these through a tour operator. The traditional trek spans four days and three nights, departing from Ollantaytambo, and includes porters to carry gear and set up camp, along with cooks who prepare three meals daily.

The Peruvian government restricts access to the Inca Trail to 500 people daily, including porters. This policy helps protect the local environment and the fragile ruins while keeping the trail from becoming overcrowded. If permits for the peak summer season sell out, don't worry—there are several alternative trails that lead to Machu Picchu. Below are some recommended classic Inca Trail trips to consider, along with a few lesser-known treks that also visit Machu Picchu.

Luxury Inca Trail with Alpaca Expeditions

Alpaca Expeditions is a wholly Peruvian Indigenous-owned business. It offers a classic four-day/three-night trek on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, starting at $750 per person. The luxury version of this trek features upgraded tents, complete with air mattresses, camping cots fitted with feather duvets, and cotton sheets—no need to bring your own sleeping bag.

Alpaca Expeditions will provide transportation from Cusco, Urubamba, or Ollantaytambo to the Km 82 trailhead on the first day. For the return journey to Cusco, it also includes tickets on the luxury Hiram Bingham, a Belmond Train, from Aguas Calientes.

Peru Inca Trail Trekking Tour with Mountain Travel Sobek

Before embarking on a four-day, three-night trek along the Inca Trail, MT Sobek’s tour begins with two nights at the new Las Qolqas eco-resort in the Sacred Valley, nestled in a stunning garden area just outside Ollantaytambo. Once participants have acclimatized to the altitude, they will cross the Urubamba River and start their hike from Km 88, offering a more secluded experience compared to the typical Km 82 start. After three nights of tent camping, the adventure concludes with breathtaking sunrise views of Machu Picchu and another full day at the site before heading back to Cusco.

Day Hike on the Inca Trail with Modern Adventure

For those looking for a less strenuous option, Modern Adventure offers food-centric tours of Peru that include an optional day hike on a 6.8-mile section of the Inca Trail as part of their larger seven-day itinerary. After taking the train from Ollantaytambo partway to Aguas Calientes in the morning, hikers will get off along the Urubamba River and begin their ascent into the Andes, passing archaeological sites such as Chachabamba and Winaywayna before descending to Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate in the late afternoon. Guests who prefer not to hike can take the train directly to Aguas Calientes and visit Machu Picchu the following day.

The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu with Mountain Lodges of Peru

While the 50-mile Salkantay Trek is often viewed as a more demanding alternative to the Inca Trail, it feels more manageable knowing that each day of Mountain Lodges of Peru’s (MLP) seven-day lodge-to-lodge journey ends with a stay at their exquisite lodges—the Salkantay Lodge, Wayra Lodge, Colpa Lodge, and Lucma Lodge. After visiting archaeological sites like Quillarumiyoc and traversing the Salkantay Pass (at an elevation of 15,213 feet), trekkers can savor a gourmet dinner, unwind in a Jacuzzi, and even indulge in spa treatments. The trek wraps up with a morning at Machu Picchu before returning to Cusco in the afternoon.

The Vilcabamba Trail with Kandoo Adventures

When Hiram Bingham and a group of Peruvian explorers discovered Machu Picchu, they were actually searching for the lost city of Vilcabamba. With Kandoo Adventures, hikers will spend two days in Cusco to acclimate before embarking on a five-day trek through the Sacred Valley. This picturesque and isolated route, known as the Vilcabamba Trail, follows the Cordillera de Vilcabamba, offering both solitude and a challenging workout, culminating in a visit to Machu Picchu on the final day.

The Huchuy Qosqo Trek with Llama Path

The initial two days of this three-day trek, which starts in Cusco, focus on exploring the historic Inca site of Huchuy Qosco and learning about the local history and its residents. The final night is spent in Aguas Calientes, where the Llama Path team will then escort you to Machu Picchu.

Not all tours to Machu Picchu necessitate multi-day hikes. Tour operators like G Adventures and Intrepid offer Inca Trail treks, but travelers can also book their trips that bypass the trails entirely and include a visit to Machu Picchu via the train and bus combination mentioned earlier.

Machu Picchu tickets (and additional tips for visiting the site)

Machu Picchu is accessible daily from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with tickets for international adults starting at 152 Peruvian soles (approximately US$42). Most treks and tours include the entrance fee to Machu Picchu within their pricing. If you’re visiting independently, remember that advance timed entry tickets are mandatory and hiring a certified guide is required. (Guides are available at the entrance.) Don’t forget your passport to confirm the name on your ticket.

To manage crowds, Machu Picchu has implemented five one-way circuits and strict daily visitor limits. For that iconic postcard view of Machu Picchu, choose circuit one or circuit two. Currently, around 3,000 tickets are available for the main citadel each day, so it’s wise to buy your ticket as early as possible. Availability is even more limited if you want to hike Huayna Picchu, which allows only 200 hikers daily.

The ideal time of day to visit Machu Picchu: Arrive the night before in Aguas Calientes and take the first bus at 5:30 a.m. to be among the first on site. Alternatively, visiting in the late afternoon before closing can help you avoid larger crowds.

Clothing recommendations (and items to skip): Due to the intense sunlight at high altitudes, wearing hats and applying sunscreen is essential. Additionally, it's wise to carry a rain jacket for unexpected downpours, as umbrellas are prohibited on-site.

Guidelines to adhere to: In response to a tragic incident involving a German tourist in 2016, the park has instituted a strict ban on jumping photos. Other prohibited actions include eating outside designated areas, sitting on sacred ruins, and touching the stone surfaces.

Accommodations near Machu Picchu

The Sanctuary Lodge, a Belmond Hotel, is ideally situated right at Machu Picchu's entrance, providing unparalleled access to the site. The hotel features 31 rooms and suites equipped with cozy beds and marble bathrooms, some offering terraces and breathtaking mountain views. Dining options are limited to the hotel itself unless you opt for the 30-minute bus journey to Aguas Calientes, but after a long journey, you might prefer unwinding before an early sleep.

For those intending to stay multiple nights, booking in Aguas Calientes is advisable for convenient access to local markets and eateries. One of the most stunning options available is the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, featuring 83 rustic adobe casitas spread across 12 acres within a cloud forest beside the Urubamba River, which hosts 214 bird species and a plethora of native orchids.