The ruins of the Inca city of Machu Picchu, in Peru, are a fascinating destination, but they also generate a lot of doubts in the traveler’s mind. But do not worry! Here you will see everything you need to know about visiting Machu Picchu. I will explain where the archaeological site is, when to go (weather), how long to stay, how to get there – and all the trails that lead to the city -, how to buy and what types of tickets, prices, what to see, maps and more!
Elected one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, the archaeological site of Machu Picchu is a set of more than 170 buildings built in the 15th century by the most powerful of the Inca empires, Pachacuti. The city was divided between the agricultural sector – formed by cultivable terraces and warehouses – and the urban sector – where the temples and houses were located. It is likely that it was built to mark the Inca presence in an isolated region.
It also served as a refuge for the Emperor and his family. The place ended up abandoned at the same time that the Inca empire was dominated by the Spaniards. Machu Picchu is often called the ‘lost city of the Incas’ not because the pre-Columbian people tried to hide it, but because, located in a hard-to-reach spot, it remained off the maps for centuries. It was only officially ‘discovered’ by the American professor Hiram Bingham on July 24, 1911.
Access to the archaeological site has become increasingly restricted and complicated in recent years in an attempt by the Peruvian government to protect the heritage from the overcrowding of tourists. But don’t worry, I”vee already visited the place and I will teach you step by step and with lots of photos. Find out below how to visit Machu Picchu!
Where is Machu Picchu
The Machu Picchu archaeological site is located in the city of Aguas Calientes, in the Urubanba River Valley, 130 km from Cusco, in the south-central region of Peru. The ruins are located between the Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu mountains, in the middle of the Andes, 2,400 meters above sea level. The cities normally used as a base for the tour are Cusco and Ollantaytambo. Throughout the text, I will detail all their transport options to Aguas Calientes
Cusco is the major tourist city in the region. The former capital of the Inca empire offers excellent infrastructure for tourists and is usually the starting point for tours through the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Ollantytambo is located in the Sacred Valley, 70 km from Cusco and only 30 km from Machu Picchu, with more options for timetables and transport prices to Aguas Calientes than Cusco. In addition, the city is also a tourist spot with its incredible Inca archaeological site.
When to go to Machu Picchu (weather)
The climate is usually mild and sunny in and around Cusco most of the year. There are only two seasons in the region, a dry season – from April to October -, and a rainy season – from November to March. In the first, the average thermometer varies between 5ºC and 20ºC, with July being the coldest month. A wonder for anyone who wants to go up and down the stone stairs of Machu Picchu or even the Huayna Picchu Mountain without breaking a sweat.
This, however, is the time of year when the place is most crowded with tourists. In addition to July being the month of school holidays in most countries, in the month of June the ‘Inti Raymi’, or Festival of the Sun, takes place in Cusco, which attracts many visitors, I visit 4 days after the festival and was just perfect. The climate changes completely in the wet season, when the average rainfall drops from less than 40 mm to up to 145 mm in January. Sunny days and blue skies give way to gray clouds and air humidity is around 65%, and there may be frost and hail.
But the big problem is the rain itself, as it can cause landslides and close access to Machu Picchu, which is mostly done by a single train line. The risk is usually so great that the Inca Trail doesn’t work in February. However, the beginning and end of the wet season – November/December and March – can be a good option to visit the city without waves of tourists from all sides and without much chance of rain.
How to get to Machu Picchu
This is probably the part of the trip planning that most leaves travelers in doubt:
how to get to Machu Picchu? First, I need to explain that there is no road to the city of Aguas Calientes, where the archaeological site is located. The only way to get there is by train or walking. There is also the possibility of being part of the bus route – as far as the road goes – and then finishing the route on foot. Let me explain in detail:
How to go to Machu Picchu by train (thats how i did)
There is no easier or more luxurious way to visit Machu Picchu than by train. The wagons leave from three cities: Cusco, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo. The companies responsible for operating the rail transport are Peru Rail and Inca Rail. There are six lines in operation, with different prices, times and departure locations. The trains go to the Aguas Calientes station, from where it is still necessary to climb the mountain on foot or by minibus – which takes about an hour.
If you choose to go to Machu Picchu by rail, it is important to buy your tickets in advance, as they sell out quickly. Mainly the cheapest ones and at the earliest times for going and later for returning. I highly recommend that you make your reservations at least three months before your trip, or sooner if possible. And how will you be able to choose between so many available lines? For the price you want to pay and the times you want to go and come back.
I have traveled on Bimodal and Vistadome and found both services to be fantastic. All trains, even the cheapest ones, are excellent. When choosing your timetable, keep in mind that trains to Aguas Calientes are not uncommon and the last entry to Machu Picchu is from 2pm to 3pm! In addition, anyone who wants to climb the Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu mountains must be at the archaeological site at the time of entry chosen when purchasing the ticket.
In the first, the entry time is from 7 am to 8 am, or from 9 am to 10 am. On Monday, entry time is from 7 am to 8 am or from 10 am to 11 am. Let’s talk in more detail about Machu Picchu timetables and mountain visits ahead. In addition, in the rainy season – December/March -, there may be changes in schedules and even possible interruptions of train service due to storms and landslides.
For budged train use the Expedition Train (PeruRail) –
The Expedition line is the simplest of Peru Rail. Leaving Cusco, the train leaves from Poroy Station. It is 10 km from the center, but you can easily get there by taxi. The cost of the journey is around US$ 8. The line leaves daily at 6:40 am, arriving in Machu Picchu at 9:55 am. The return takes place at 15:20, arriving in Cusco at 19:05. This means that you would have three hours to visit Machu Picchu if the train is not delayed.
If you want to stay longer, you don’t have to go back and forth on the same train line. Just choose one that leaves early or returns later. Or leave Cusco and return via Ollantaytambo and vice versa. Another option is to leave Cusco in one day, sleep in Aguas Calientes, visit Machu Picchu the next morning and return by train in the afternoon, or on the third day. Departing from Ollantaytambo, the options are greater. There are eight departure times and eight return times.
The trip takes 1h30. Departures to Machu Picchu take place at 5:05 am, 6:10 am, 7:45 am, 8:30 am, 11:50 am, 12:55 pm, 7:05 pm, 9 pm. Departures from Aguas Calientes back to Ollantaytambo take place at 5:35 am, 8:50 am, 2:55 pm, 3:20 pm, 4:20 pm, 6:20 pm, 8:50 pm and 9:50 pm. That is, you can leave Ollantaytambo early in the morning, visit Machu Picchu with tranquility and return only at the end of the day. But we suggest you spend at least one day in Ollantaytambo, the only Inca city still inhabited.
If Cusco is your base – as for most tourists – you can take a tourist van that costs 10 soles (US$3) and leaves every hour from Calle Pavitos to travel to Ollantaytambo in the morning, have lunch in town, and in the evening afternoon, visit the archaeological site, which is amazing. Sleep in Ollantaytambo and, early the next day, head to Machu Picchu. Expedition train tickets start at $60 each way.
How to buy PeruRail train ticket to Machu Picchu?
If you want to do it yourself, just access the site here. It’s in Spanish, so it’s easy to understand. Just select the type of trip – round trip or one way -, your destination – Machu Picchu -, the route – whether you’re leaving Cusco or Ollantaytambo -, the date and the number of travelers. Then, just choose the round-trip times, fill in the passenger details and make the payment.
Vistadome Train (PeruRail) – Second among the lines of Peru Rail, the Vistadome train is panoramic, has an audio guide and a snack included in the ticket. Departing from Cusco, there are two departures and arrivals daily from San Pedro Station, in the historic center. The first train leaves at 6:40 am and arrives in Aguas Calientes at 10:50 am. The second leaves at 7:30 am and arrives at 12:10 pm. To return to Cusco, trains leave at 4:40 pm and 5:20 pm, arriving at 8:25 pm and 8:50 pm.
Leaving at the first time and returning at the last, you have four hours to visit Machu Picchu – if the train is not late. If you want to stay longer, you don’t have to go back and forth on the same line. Just choose one that leaves early or returns later. Or leave Cusco and return via Ollantaytambo and vice versa. Another option is to leave Cusco in one day, sleep in Aguas Calientes, visit Machu Picchu the next morning and return in the late afternoon.
Departing from Ollantaytambo, the options are greater. There are seven departure times and eight return times. The trip takes 1h30. Departures to Machu Picchu take place at 7:05 am, 8:00 am, 8:50 am, 9:15 am, 10:30 am, 1:25 pm and 3:35 pm. Departures from Aguas Calientes take place at 10:55, 12:45, 13:35, 15:45, 16:20, 16:40, 17:20 and 18:10. That is, you can leave Ollantaytambo early, visit Machu Picchu calmly and return at the end of the day. But I suggest that you spend at least one day visiting Ollantaytambo.
After all, it is the only Inca city still inhabited. If Cusco is your base – as for most tourists – you can take a tourist van that costs 10 soles (US$3) and leaves every hour from Calle Pavitos to travel to Ollantaytambo in the morning, have lunch in town, and in the evening afternoon, visit the archaeological site, which is amazing. Sleep in Ollantaytambo and, early the next day, head to Machu Picchu. Vistadome train tickets start at $55 one way.
The 360º Train (IncaRail) –(my return )
The 360º is the average IncaRail train. It offers tourists panoramic windows, a drink, lunch kit, WiFi and an open car. Tickets start at $75 one way. The 360º has departures from Cusco (San Pedro Station) and Ollantaytambo. The company also offers a bimodal mode of transport. It takes you by bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo and from there by train to Aguas Calientes.
Trains departing from Cusco depart from San Pedro station – in the historic center – at 5:00 am and arrive in Aguas Calientes at 8:50 am. The return takes place at 16:10, arriving in Cusco at 20:35. Buses providing bimodal transport leave from Avenida El Sol 843 at 9:10 am and 10:15 am. Arrivals take place at 1:05 pm and 2:00 pm respectively. The return trip to Cusco takes place at 10:30 am, with arrival scheduled for 2:30 pm.
The 360º Train (IncaRail) – The 360º is the average IncaRail train. It offers tourists panoramic windows, a drink, lunch kit, WiFi and an open car. Tickets start at $75 one way. The 360º has departures from Cusco (San Pedro Station) and Ollantaytambo. The company also offers a bimodal mode of transport. It takes you by bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo and from there by train to Aguas Calientes.
In other words, you have the option of taking a 5-hour day trip from Cusco to visit Machu Picchu, or leaving Cusco in one day, sleeping in Aguas Calientes and visiting Machu Picchu the next morning. If you want to stay longer, you don’t have to go back and forth on the same line. Just choose one that leaves early or returns later. Or leave Cusco and return via Ollantaytambo and vice versa. From Ollantaytambo, there are three departures and two daily returns.
How to go to Machu Picchu by bus
First of all, it is good to make one thing very clear: there is no road to Machu Picchu. On purpose, to avoid the invasion of mass tourism and the consequent destruction of heritage. It is not possible to travel the route by car or by bicycle. But then, how to visit Machu Picchu by bus??? In fact, you go up part of the way on the collective and then you complete the journey by train or walking. The scheme works like this:
You buy just the bus ticket or a package that includes the ticket, meals, guided tour of Machu Picchu and hotel in Aguas Calientes. Transport is done in minibuses or vans that leave Cusco early in the morning and travel six and a half hours by paved and dirt road until reaching the ‘Hidroeléctrica’ train stop. From there, you can take a train to Aguas Calientes – not included in the price – or walk for 10 kilometers (about three hours).
After arriving in Aguas Calientes, you spend the night in a hotel and visit Machu Picchu the next day, returning to Cusco in the afternoon or on the third day. This is for sure the cheapest way to visit Machu Picchu. You can buy just the ticket and do the rest of the tour on your own for a cost between US$ 30 and 40. The complete package costs around US$ 150. Any hotel or agency in Cusco sells both the ticket and the package. .
How to go to Machu Picchu on foot (trails)
There is no more popular and traditional way to visit Machu Picchu than to walk the same path that the Incas did: The Inca Trail. There are so many people who have never walked long distances in their lives wanting to do that the Peruvian government created a ‘short’ version of the walk. Then there is the classic Inca Trail, 45 kilometers covered in four days and three nights; and the short Inca Trail, 23 kilometers covered in two days and one night.
Note that not all of this distance is done on foot. On the short trail, for example, it is about 10 kilometers effectively walking; in the long one, 38. Even so, it is good that you have reasonable physical preparation to walk them, especially since you will be more than 2,000 meters above sea level. Most turist, who normally live at sea level, often suffer from ‘soroche’, or altitude sickness, when traveling to high places like Machu Picchu.
The most common symptoms of ‘soroche’ are headache, muscle fatigue and difficulty breathing. They usually pass after 24 or 48 hours, when the body acclimates to the more rarefied oxygen. But some people may have longer or worse reactions with nausea and vomiting.
If you don’t feel better in that time, you can try using coca-derived products to relieve symptoms, such as tea or chocolates.
