Machu Picchu travel guide
Machu Picchu Tourism | Machu Picchu Guide
You're Going to Love Machu Picchu
There's nowhere on earth like Machu Picchu. Located in the mountains of Peru, the city was constructed by the Inca Empire at an altitude of 7,900 feet. Even to this day, no one knows for sure why they risked their lives to build such a dramatic fortress, but one thing's certain: anyone who visits this magical site will be glad that they did.
Perched atop sheer mountain cliffs, Machu Picchu is astounding, even before you learn its huge stone slabs were put together without any mortar. Visitors can take photos of the Urubamba River far below, climb nearby Huayna Picchu for breathtaking views, and tour the various buildings, including the Temple of the Sun.
One of mankind's greatest and most mysterious engineering achievements, Machu Picchu is sure to leave everyone spellbound.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Machu Picchu
1. The Stunning Location
Machu Picchu is beautiful, and nothing compares to witnessing this beauty in person. Floating far above the river below, with the jagged peaks of the Andes all around, it's more like a work of art than a city.
2. Learn About Some of the World's Greatest Engineers
Visiting Machu Picchu is a great chance to learn about the Incas. Some of history's greatest builders, the Incas constructed Machu Picchu without using wheels - an incredible feat.
3. Mountains to Climb and Trails to Hike
If you love hiking or climbing, Machu Picchu is an outstanding destination. Right next to the site itself you have the chance to climb Huayna Picchu, and there are hiking trails in almost every direction.
4. Unbeatable Tour Guides
Visitors to Machu Picchu don't need to explore the ruins on their own. Licensed experts with companies like Machu Picchu Tour Guides are on hand to explain how and why the Incas chose to build in such a challenging spot.
5. An Incredible Climax to a Vacation on the Inca Trail
Machu Picchu doesn't have to be the only Inca site you visit in Peru; it's the ideal way to round off a walking tour on the Inca Trail. Once an Inca road, the Trail takes five days to complete and is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
What to do in Machu Picchu
1. Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary: Wonder of the New World
Machu Picchu will forever remain Peru's greatest gem. Every day, humbled visitors let their imaginations run wild as they explore these mysterious ruins. Archaeologists continue to restore the Incan complex, rediscovering the organization of the city into temples, urban centers, sacred stones and more. A visit brings back an immersive, mindblowing world of the past.
2. Huayna Picchu: Celestial Mountaintop
This striking mountain towers atmospherically above Machu Picchu. A hike to its peak reveals a smattering of temples built by the Incas all the way up its slope. The one-hour climb rewards hikers with a breathtaking view of the isolated citadel, a moment for serene reflection and a lifechanging experience, as the Incans once intended.
3. Inti Punku: Sun Gate
Once the fortress of Machu Picchu, the Inti Punku ruins stand on the doorstep of the Sanctuary. This is a favorite stop on the Inca Trail, a 3 or 4 hour hike from the complex down below, as it provides an epic view of the Incan citadel - ideally the first. Fittingly, most choose to approach this Gate for the sunrise over Huayna Picchu - dedicated to the Sun God.
4. Winay Wayna: Fascinating Digs
Winay Wayna is built on a hillside along the ever-surprising Inca Trail. Believed to be a living complex, the ruins sit directly above the Urubamba River and are surrounded by agricultural terraces. The well-maintained settlement adds depth to the Machu Picchu experience, as tourists can imagine the lifestyle of the Incas who once benefitted from these rather inhospitable lands.
5. Inca Bridge: The Secret Entrance
Machu Picchu is stunningly isolated, and was once even harder to access. Built into the rocky mountainside, a stone trail falls away suddenly to leave a 20-foot gap. Tree trunks would offer easy access to those who were welcome, while enemies were faced with a 2,000-foot drop. This ingenious defense mechanism has been restored to its original treachery.
1. Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary: Wonder of the New World
Machu Picchu will forever remain Peru's greatest gem. Every day, humbled visitors let their imaginations run wild as they explore these mysterious ruins. Archaeologists continue to restore the Incan complex, rediscovering the organization of the city into temples, urban centers, sacred stones and more. A visit brings back an immersive, mindblowing world of the past.
2. Huayna Picchu: Celestial Mountaintop
This striking mountain towers atmospherically above Machu Picchu. A hike to its peak reveals a smattering of temples built by the Incas all the way up its slope. The one-hour climb rewards hikers with a breathtaking view of the isolated citadel, a moment for serene reflection and a lifechanging experience, as the Incans once intended.
3. Inti Punku: Sun Gate
Once the fortress of Machu Picchu, the Inti Punku ruins stand on the doorstep of the Sanctuary. This is a favorite stop on the Inca Trail, a 3 or 4 hour hike from the complex down below, as it provides an epic view of the Incan citadel - ideally the first. Fittingly, most choose to approach this Gate for the sunrise over Huayna Picchu - dedicated to the Sun God.
4. Winay Wayna: Fascinating Digs
Winay Wayna is built on a hillside along the ever-surprising Inca Trail. Believed to be a living complex, the ruins sit directly above the Urubamba River and are surrounded by agricultural terraces. The well-maintained settlement adds depth to the Machu Picchu experience, as tourists can imagine the lifestyle of the Incas who once benefitted from these rather inhospitable lands.
5. Inca Bridge: The Secret Entrance
Machu Picchu is stunningly isolated, and was once even harder to access. Built into the rocky mountainside, a stone trail falls away suddenly to leave a 20-foot gap. Tree trunks would offer easy access to those who were welcome, while enemies were faced with a 2,000-foot drop. This ingenious defense mechanism has been restored to its original treachery.
1. Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary: Wonder of the New World
Machu Picchu will forever remain Peru's greatest gem. Every day, humbled visitors let their imaginations run wild as they explore these mysterious ruins. Archaeologists continue to restore the Incan complex, rediscovering the organization of the city into temples, urban centers, sacred stones and more. A visit brings back an immersive, mindblowing world of the past.
Where to Eat in Machu Picchu
Indio Feliz is the best restaurant in Aguas Calientes, serving high-quality Peruvian food and beers from around the world. If you want a really good pizza, Incontri del pueblo Viejo is the place to go while La Boulangerie de Paris is a slice of Paris transplanted to the Urubamba Valley. Expect to pay around S/10 for a pizza and up to S/20 at restaurants like Indio Feliz.
When to visit Machu Picchu
The rainy season in Machu Picchu officially begins in October and runs until April, but November to March are easily the wettest months. July and August are the peak months, when crowds can make it harder to enjoy the ruins at their best, so think about visiting in September or late spring.
How to Get to Machu Picchu
Plane
Most visitors to Machu Picchu fly into Lima with carriers like Delta or American Airlines and then transfer to local flights to Cusco. From there, you can take a rail connection to Aguas Calientes, which lies at the foot of the ascent to Machu Picchu. It is advisable to spend a few days in Aguas Calientes to become acclimatized to the higher altitude. After two or three days, you should be ready to start your journey to Machu Picchu.
Train
Visitors can choose from three companies: Inca Rail, Peru Rail, and Belmond Hiram Bingham Trains. Belmond offers a more luxurious service, with plush wooden compartments and fine wines, while the other two companies would suit a more budget-conscious traveler. The gorgeous ride along the Urubamba River takes around five hours.
Car
Thanks to reliable rail connections, driving to Machu Picchu isn't really necessary, but it can almost be done. You can't drive as far as Aguas Calientes, but the road from Cusco to Ollantaytambo almost takes you to the foot of the Inca Trail. Rental companies in Cusco include Europcar, Hertz, and Auto Rent Cusco.
Bus
Local buses are a cheap way to travel from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, but you'll have to catch a train from there to Aguas Calientes. The bus costs just S/17, while a taxi to Ollantaytambo costs around S/120.
Airlines serving Machu Picchu
Where to stay in Machu Picchu
Aguas Calientes - Aguas Calientes is located in the Urubamba Valley, around four miles away from the ruins site, and it's the ideal base for a hike to Machu Picchu. It's also a good place to dine before setting off, with eateries like Indio Feliz and Chez Maggy.
Popular Neighborhoods
Machu Picchu - The archaeological site of Machu Picchu is two hours walk or a short bus ride from Aguas Calientes. If ever a mountain hike was worth the effort, this is it. Constructed in the 15th century, the terraced hillside and stunning setting are truly awe-inspiring.
Cusco - Although most visitors to Machu Picchu base themselves at Aguas Calientes, you could also spend a week in Cusco (the Inca capital) before heading up the Urubamba Valley. Cusco is worth exploring, thanks to attractions like the Inca palace of Saksaywaman, the Coricancha temple and the impressive colonial-era cathedral.
Where to stay in popular areas of Machu Picchu
Most booked hotels in Machu Picchu
How to Get Around Machu Picchu
Public Transportation
Catching a bus is the easiest way to get from Aguas Calientes to the ruins of Machu Picchu. Buses leave from the main station or the train station at Puente Ruinas, which is slightly closer to the ruins, and tickets can be purchased from the kiosk opposite the train station. The cost is S/15 from the town center and S/10 from Puente Ruinas.
Taxi and Driving
There are no taxis in Aguas Calientes, and you can't drive there either. The only way into the town is by train, and the only route from Aguas Calientes to the ruins is by bus (or walking). However, you can drive from Cusco to Ollantaytambo or pay around S/80 for a taxi.
Walking
For many people, the best way to reach the ruins of Machu Picchu is on foot. The four mile path is well signposted and takes between 90 minutes and two hours to complete - and the views are incredible.
The Cost of Living in Machu Picchu
Shopping Streets
Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes are not major shopping destinations. There are plenty of souvenir stalls selling everything from rugs and hats to jewelry and pan pipes. The Mercado in Aguas Calientes is the place to go, but be ready to pay tourist prices.
Groceries and Other Necessities
If you want to buy fresh fruit and vegetables, the Mercado (opposite the station) is the best place to look. This is where locals shop, and you should be able to stock up on healthy food relatively cheaply.