Machu Picchu

Peru

historyruins

Machu Picchu is one of the most stunning places in the world. Like the Taj Mahal or Yosemite Valley, Machu Picchu can’t be adequately described in words or pictures. You have to visit to experience its majesty.

Likely constructed as an estate for the Incan emperor Pachacuti, the city of Machu Picchu was built in the middle of the fifteenth century. Perched improbably on a plateau among sheer mountains, Machu Picchu is astoundingly photogenic, but it’s even more impressive in person.

We strongly recommend hiring a guide, and our favorite is Hernan Hermoza Gamarra. You’ll have a much better experience exploring the ruins, and the guide will help you work through the complex process of figuring out the mess of bus and train tickets you’ll need to get to the magical Inca city (Hernan will even get everything set up for you). If you’re doing some or all of this yourself, the rest of this page will help you figure out what you need to do.

Tickets

Tickets to visit Machu Picchu can only be purchased from the Peruvian government. Be careful when picking your tickets and entering your information, as the tickets are nonrefundable, can’t be changed, and are tied to the personal information (including name and passport) that you provide when you buy them. Note that if you’re doing the Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu, your tour operator will likely handle the tickets for you.

You need to buy a ticket to the Machu Picchu citadel, and you need to pick one of the “circuits” for visitors. Fortunately, this is an easy call. Pick Circuit 2, the High Long circuit. It gets you to the most picturesque viewpoints and lets you see more of the citadel than the other circuits (if you don’t want to take our word for it, check out the official circuit map). You’ll also need to pick an entry time to visit the citadel; we recommend a time very early in the morning so you can see this magical spot before it’s overrun by tourists. If you’d also like to hike one of the peaks around Machu Picchu, see the section below on mountains.

Getting There

Train/Bus

Machu Picchu is in a remote part of the Peruvian jungle, though it’s still visited by almost 1.5 million people every year. Getting there is complicated. The closest airport is in the city of Cusco. Cusco is about a 3-hour bus and train ride from Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot the mountain upon which Machu Picchu is perched. PeruRail and IncaRail both operate train/bus combinations to Machu Picchu and offer various classes of service. PeruRail is generally regarded as the more expensive, but nicer, option (look for their “Bimodal” service from Wanchaq station in Cusco; IncaRail may be a better option for travelers on a budget.

Once you get to Aguas Calientes, you’ll also need to get up to Machu Picchu itself, which is high above the town. You can walk for free, but it’s a steep, tough hike that will likely take 1-2 hours. A company called Consettur runs shuttles from town to the Machu Picchu entrance. You can buy tickets at Consettur’s offices in Cusco and Aguas Calientes, or in advance online. If you buy tickets in person, we recommend that you buy them before the day of your visit to Machu Picchu. They don’t sell out of bus tickets like they do for visiting the citadel, but lines can be long and the wait will cut into your time to visit Machu Picchu. You don’t have to specify a specific time for your bus; they run frequently (every 10 minutes or so; sometimes multiple buses every few minutes during peak times). The buses up to Machu Picchu run from 5:30am to 3:30pm; the buses back to town run from 6:00am to 5:30pm.

Trekking

Perhaps the best-known method of reaching Machu Picchu is trekking. The classic Inca Trail hike takes four days, and you must book through a licensed tour operator. Typically, your tour operator will pick you up in Cusco, where you’ll take a bus to Ollantaytambo, and then a train to Kilometer 82. From there you’ll embark on your trek. Trekking is a great option if you’re up for it (and have the time) because you’ll get to see the beautiful mountains, lush jungles, and a number of other Inca ruins along the way. Assuming your guides know what they’re doing, you’ll camp close to Machu Picchu on your last night and get up early in the morning to arrive at the sanctuary before the crowds.

Don’t expect to be roughing it, though. Most tour operators provide porters and cooks. After you leave your camp in the morning, the porters will break down your campsite and pack it up, pass you on the trail, and set up your next campsite so it’s waiting for you by the time you arrive in the afternoon. We recommend Salkantay Trekking, which offers the classic four-day Inca Trail as well as an alternative five-day trek that focuses on seeing some of the spectacular (and less-traveled) parts of the Peruvian Andes. You’ll have to book well in advance; there are limits on the number of people who can begin the trek on any given day, and they go fast.

Mountains

There are three mountains around Machu Picchu that you can climb. Each requires an additional ticket.

Huayna Picchu

Huayna Picchu is the mountain that towers above Machu Picchu in all the famous pictures (see above). At 8,924 feet above sea level, it’s a moderate climb (the most direct route takes about 40 minutes). The summit provides absolutely incredible views of Machu Picchu and the surrounding country. There are also additional Inca ruins on the trail up the mountain. We recommend it if you have the time and physical capability. If you’re booking through a guiding company or travel service, let them know you want to do the climb as early as possible so they can be sure to get you the right tickets.

Huchuy Picchu

Huchuy Picchu is the smaller sub-summit to the left of Huayna Picchu in the photo at the top of this page. Climbing it is much easier and quicker than Huayna Picchu, and it’ll also give a new perspective on the ruins and surrounding scenery, but the view is nowhere near as good as that from Huayna Picchu.

Machu Picchu Mountain

Machu Picchu Mountain is taller than Huayna Picchu, but it’s not as popular because it’s not in the classic picture of Machu Picchu (it’s on the opposite side of the ruins, behind the photographer). As a result it’s not as popular a hike, but it’s a great option as well and will also give you a spectacular view.