Machu Picchu Travel Guide

Travel Guide Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is by far the most visited place in Peru, and it’s becoming one of the most popular places on the planet, making its way onto many bucket lists. It’s no surprise when you see its majestic sights in photos and pictures of the Incas hauling huge stones across a mountainside to build such an incredible place.

The archaeological site boasts certain energy that gives you chills when you look out over the scene. It’s easy to be transformed back in time and imagine everything that once went on there. There’s a lot of history to learn and a lot to explore.

Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. If you’re able to get to Peru and see Machu Picchu, it’s well worth the visit.

In this guide, we’re going to cover absolutely everything you need to know before you visit Machu Picchu, including information about the site and the best places to visit, where to eat and stay in the town, how to book your trip and get to Machu Picchu, as well as some essential tips and a packing list

Climate & Weather

Machu Picchu is at the intersection of the Andes and the Amazon, where the mild subtropical climate has warm days and cooler nights. Humidity is also higher than in Cusco and the Sacred Valley.

Dry Season and Rainy Season

Weather at Machu Picchu changes quickly and is unpredictable throughout the year. Similar to other high altitude destinations in Peru, the region has a dry and rainy season, but these conditions changes in the weather aren’t as clearly defined. The dry winter season for Machu Picchu is from April to October, and the wet summer season is from November to March. Remember, the northern and southern hemispheres experience opposite seasons.

Average Temperatures

Daytime: 68°F – 80°F (20°C – 27°C)
Nighttime: 50°F – 64°F (10°C – 18°C)

Best Time to Visit

The peak season for Machu Picchu is June, July, and August. These months coincide with the region’s dry season when sunny conditions are most probable and considered by many the best time to go to Machu Picchu. Hotels, entry tickets, and other services fill up quickly, so make your reservations well in advance.

The low season for Machu Picchu is from December to February during the rainy season. There are fewer tourists and less crowding around attractions within the citadel. Still, the tradeoff is a much higher probability for rain, so don’t forget your raingear.

Geography & Map

Machu Picchu is located 50 miles (80 kilometers) northwest of Cusco in the Urubamba Province of Peru, where the eastern slopes of the Andes meet the Amazon Rainforest. The Inca built their city on a high mountain ridge overlooking the lush cloud forest surroundings. Far below, Urubamba River flows along the valley floor, past Aguas Calientes.

ELEVATION

7,970 ft (2,430 m)

NEW CIRCUITS AND NEW ROLES TO VISIT MACHU PICCHU.

At the entrance, every visitor must show their ticket and passport. Students must also present their valid student ID here.

The duration of the visit is generally limited to a maximum of 3 hours. The only exceptions are tickets for the surrounding mountain peaks Wayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain, and Huchuy Picchu, which allow for a longer stay.

The entry ticket entitles you to a single entry. It is not possible to leave and re-enter the citadel with the same ticket (exception: ticket for Machu Picchu Mountain for visiting route 3).

It is recommended to have a tour guide accompany you on your first visit to Machu Pichu. However, it is not mandatory. You cannot enter the citadel without a licenced guide, for a group of 10 or more, you require more than one guide. Groups larger than 10 per guide are not permitted.

You may not take large bags, professional cameras, groceries, and disposable bottles into the citadel. You can only carry one small bag with you. Walking sticks are only allowed for the physically challenged and elderly visitors.

New Circuits fro Machu Picchu and New Routes

There are fixed routes through the facility with limited capacities to visit Machu Picchu. Below is an overview of the 4 official routes (as seen on the map above). There is also a 5th route, but this is only valid in combination with the 2-day Inca Trail, which we have included for your information:

Route 1 (upper short tour, red):

This route leads from the entrance through the upper sector, over agricultural terraces, past the guard’s house, through the main entrance to the urban sector, to the sun temple, and from there over the water mirrors in the lower sector back to the exit.

Route 2 (upper long tour, dark blue):

This is the most comprehensive route and is the most complete exploration of the citadel. The route leads from the entrance through the upper sector, over agricultural terraces, past the guard’s house, through the main entrance into the urban sector, to the temple of the sun. From there it continues over the temple square and the Intiwatana Pyramid in the upper sector to the sacred rock in the rearmost part of the citadel, and then through the lower sector past the condor temple to the exit.

Route 3 (lower short tour, yellow):

This is the shortest of all routes and includes only a small, limited part of the citadel. The route leads over agricultural terraces directly into the lower sector, past the Temple of the Sun, to the house of the Inca, and from there over the water mirrors in the lower sector back to the exit. This route only requires you to navigate a few stairs and is particularly suitable for people with reduced mobility.

Route 4 (lower long tour, turquoise):

This route also only includes the lower sector, but leads to the rear area of ​​the citadel. The route leads over agricultural terraces directly into the lower sector, past the Temple of the Sun, to the house of the Inca, and on to the sacred rock, and from there to the lower sector past the Condor Temple and back to the exit.

Route 5 (applies to the 2-day Inca Trail):

For those who decide to hike along the 2-day Inca Trail, you will journey along a section of the famous Inca Trail on the first day. However, this hike does not end in Machu Picchu like the classic Inca Trail.

On the 2nd day of this option for the Inca Trail, you will make use of the regular entrance to Machu Picchu. Once you enter, you will conduct your visit along the so-called Route 5 within the citadel. This route is similar to route 3 described above and leads directly to the lower sector via Agricultural Terraces, past the Sun Temple to the House of the Inca. From there it continues to the Three Gates (No. 9 on the map) and back around to the exit.

With this ticket, you are not tied to a fixed time window and are permitted to enter the citadel anytime between 06:00 and 11:00.

If you are looking for a more comprehensive visit to the citadel or want to see something specific along routes 1 through 4 above, you will have to purchase an additional entrance ticket to Machu Picchu for that day.

Scheduls to visit some temples.

Additional time restrictions apply to three popular attractions within the citadel:

  • Sun Temple: only 13:00-16:00 (#02 on the map, only Routes 3, 4)
  • Intiwatana Pyramid: only 07:00-10:00 (#07 on the map, only Route 2)
  • Temple of the Condor: only 10:00-13:00 (#11 on the map, only Routes 2, 4)

Whats time Machu Picchu is open.

Machu Picchu is open to visitors daily from 6:00 to 17:30. Visits are not possible outside of these times. When purchasing the admission ticket, a fixed time slot of 60 minutes must be selected for admission. This cannot be changed after it has been issued.

With the classic Machu Picchu ticket, you can choose from one of the 4 possible routes on site, explained above.

We usually recommend Route 1 or Route 2 to our customers, as these allow the most extensive visit to the facility. There are 9 entry time slots of 60 minutes each with a limited number of visitors to choose from.

THINGS TO DO?

Sun Gate, or Inti Punku in Quechua, of Machu Picchu, was once a guardhouse and principal entrypoint to the citadel

sun gate og machu picchu

Sun Gate

The Sun Gate, also known as Inti Punku, was the original entrance to Machu Picchu. Today trekkers make their grand entrance to the citadel through the Sun Gate on the final day of the Inca Trail.

Man taking a photo on the trails to Huayna Picchu, the most popular hike within Machu Picchu, about 3 hours roundtrip.

Huayna Picchu

The footpath leading up Huayna Picchu, the dome-shaped peak rising behind the Inca citadel, is the most popular hike at Machu Picchu. It takes about one hour to reach the summit of Huayna Picchu, and stunning views over the ruins are your reward. Higher sections of the trail are narrow with steep drop-offs, so you shouldn’t do this hike if you are afraid of heights. Entry for this trail is limited to 400 hikers per day and you must reserve your spot (if space is still available) when you purchase an entry + hike ticket in advance.

Man hiking through greenery toward Machu Picchu Mountain, a popular hike within the Inca citadel that takes about 2 hours.

Huayna Picchu
machu picchu mountain

Machu Picchu Mountain

Montaña Machu Picchu is another hike at the Inca ruins and nearly double the height of the adjacent peak called Huayna Picchu. The one and a half to two-hour journey to the top is a strenuous climb with several long sections of stone steps and a spectacular 360-degree view awaits you at the summit. Access to Machu Picchu Mountain is also limited, and you must reserve your spot in advance when you buy an entry ticket + hike ticket.

 Temple of the sun section of Machu Picchu, an area built by the Inca to honor and make offerings to the sun god Inti

Temple of the Sun

The Temple of the Sun is easy to pinpoint at Machu Picchu because it is the only semicircular structure. On the winter solstice, the southeast facing window of the temple aligns with the direction of the rising sun and illuminates the sacred rock in its center. Many scholars believe the temple was used by high Inca priests to honor Inti, the sun god.

Intihuatana rock, a ritual stone and astronomic clock for the Inca, at Machu Picchu, with sprawling Andes beyond

templte of the Sun
Intihuatana

Intihuatana

The Intihuatana was chiseled out of a larger piece of granite rock and presumably used for casting shadows for astronomical observations. In the Quechua language, Intihuatana translates to “a place to which the sun is hitched,” which is a direct reference to the positioning of the rock structure at a high point within the Machu Picchu.

Sacred Rock, or Wank’a in Quechua, is a powerful symbol and area for ritual and meditation within the Machu Picchu citadel

Sacred Rock

The Sacred Rock is a massive granite monolith positioned just before the beginning of the checkpoint for Huayna Picchu. The top of the rock has been carved to mirror the silhouette of Yanantin Mountain across the valley from Machu Picchu. For the Inca, the surrounding mountains were sacred spirits, and the Sacred Rock may have been a place for spiritual ceremonies.

Temple of the Condor section of the Machu Picchu citadel, with wings carved into the rock, was a ritual sacrifice area

Machu Picchu Travel Guide
Temple of the Condor

Temple of the Condor

The Temple of the Condor showcases how the Inca used natural rock formations to extract spiritual meaning. Using two granite boulders resting as angles for the bird’s outstretched wings, the Inca placed stones on the ground for its head and neck feathers and enhanced the temple with stone walls. Some scholars speculate the head of the condor functioned as an altar. A mummy was found in the natural cave chamber underneath one of the condor’s wings, suggesting the site was for burial purposes.

Stairway of Fountains, an excellent example of Inca hydraulic engineering, at the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu

Stairway of Fountains

The Inca built a system of canals to carry water to the city’s agricultural and urban sectors using water from natural rain-fed springs on the north face of Machu Picchu Mountain. At the centerpiece of their intricate hydraulic system is the “Stairway of Fountains” through which water continues to flow. These sixteen fountains are linked together by stone channels and cascade down the mountain. Machu Picchu is a city comprising over 170 buildings, more than 600 terraces, thousands of stone steps, temples, and 16 fountains.

Stairway of Fountains Machu Picchu Travel Guide

How to Get From Cusco to Machu Picchu?

The distance from Cusco to Machu Picchu, Peru, is just 75km. However, this 75 km will take you more time than it takes to travel the same distance on a freeway or by an Amtrak train because the route goes through the Andes.

But don’t worry. You can easily travel to Machu Picchu by train. The train leaves from the town of Poroy near Cusco. And since Cusco has pretty congested traffic, you need to make sure that you leave the city in advance and reach the train station in time.

It would drop you at Aguas Calientes train station, from where you can take a bus to the top.

You also need to buy the tickets beforehand as the tickets are almost always sold two weeks in advance.

Routes & Travel Times:

  • The train from Cusco to Machu Picchu is 4 hours
  • The train from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu is 2 hours
  • The train from Urubamba to Machu Picchu is 3 hours (*limited weekly departures)

Train Luggage Restrictions:

You have to travel light when you take the train to Machu Picchu because storage room onboard is limited. Each passenger is only allowed one carry-on luggage that weighs no more than 11 lbs (5kg). Many hotels in Cusco and the Sacred Valley offer free luggage storage, where you can leave a separate bag filled with belongings you won’t need for this leg of your trip

Trekking to Machu Picchu

Adventurous travelers should trek to Machu Picchu! Trekking packages are organized so you trek to the famous archaeological site and return by train on the return leg of your journey.

The iconic 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is the most popular trek in South America. The journey takes you through high Andean passes, past lesser-known Inca sites, and culminates with a memorable entrance to Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. There’s also the 2-day Inca Trail if you are on a tight schedule or prefer a less demanding walk.

Woman walking along ruins on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, a world-renowned hike following ancient Inca footpaths.

To hike the Inca Trail, you must reserve a permit in advance. There are wonderful alternative treks to Machu Picchu that don’t require a permit if Inca Trail permits are already sold out.

The 5-day Salkantay Trek is an excellent alternative trek to Machu Picchu for travelers who appreciate nature. This Andean trail passes by the imposing snow-capped Salkantay mountain, for which the trek is named, and crosses highland pampas before dropping down into a river valley cloud forest and then onto Machu Picchu. Read more about the Salkantay Trek.

The 4-day Lares Trek is another alternative recommended for trekkers whose interest lies in cultural immersion. Follow a route through the Lares Valley, passing remote villages with rich Andean traditions, beautiful mountain scenery, and lesser-known Inca ruins before touring Machu Picchu on the final day. Read more about the Lares Trek.

Hotels

Options for Machu Picchu hotels range from 5-star luxury resorts to budget dorms and everything in between. Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge is the only hotel up on the mountain next to the main entrance of the archaeological complex. All other accommodations are in Aguas Calientes and walking distance from the train station.

It’s possible to make a whirlwind Machu Picchu trip in one day. Still, we recommend enjoying this highlight of your trip at a slower pace, if possible. Staying a night or two in Aguas Calientes spaces out the legs of transport to and from Machu Picchu and helps you stay rested for an active day of touring. The following are our Top Pick Hotels for travel to Machu Picchu.

  • Monasterio Hotel 5*****
  • Marriot Hotel 5*****
  • Novotel Hotel 3***
  • Tierra Viva 3***
  • Selina Hotel
  • Wild Robert

Restaurants

Eating options outside the entrance to Machu Picchu are convenient, though limited. You can take a pre-made box lunch with you to Machu Picchu (available options depend on your itinerary), eat a buffet lunch at Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, or grab a quick bite at the Machu Picchu Snack Bar.

Down the hill in Aguas Calientes the restaurant selection is far more varied. Enjoy a casual sitdown meal in Machu Picchu’s gateway town at one of the following restaurants:

  • Ciciolina Restaurant
  • Chicha Restaurant
  • Tunupa Restaurant
  • Papachos

WHAT TO BRING?

  • What to Bring to Machu Picchu
  • Here is an essential Machu Picchu packing list:
  • Passport and Entry Ticket
  • You need to present both documents at the entrance gate. Bring your original passport.
  • Daypack
  • Only small backpacks can be brought into Machu Picchu.
  • Water

Fill up your reusable water canteen or buy bottled water to bring in your daypack to stay hydrated as you walk around Machu Picchu, especially if you do the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain hikes.

Clothing

Weather changes quickly at Machu Picchu, so it is best to dress in layers so you can add or remove layers as needed. Cloudy conditions quickly turn sunny and vice versa.

Sun Protection

The sun is very strong at Machu Picchu’s high elevation, especially from June to August during the peak of the dry season. Bring sunglasses, sunblock, and a hat.

Rain Protection

During the wet season from November to March, pack a rain poncho or travel-size umbrella in your daypack to be prepared for any unexpected showers.

Footwear

Comfortable hiking boots or athletic shoes with good traction are best for walking around the stone steps at Machu Picchu.

Camera

A camera with a zoom lense gives you more flexibility to capitalize on different angles and capture stone ruins far away.

Hiking Poles

Make sure your hiking poles have protective rubber tips if you want to bring them to Machu Picchu.

What NOT to Bring to Machu Picchu

Camera tripods, selfie sticks, and drones are not allowed inside Machu Picchu.

Luggage and large backpacks are not allowed. Many hotels offer complimentary luggage storage. There are also storage lockers at the entrance of Machu Picchu.

Alcohol is not allowed.

Baby strollers are not practical with all the stairs at Machu Picchu. Instead, a baby backpack style carrier is recommended.

Metal-tipped canes and walking poles are only allowed inside Machu Picchu with protective rubber tips.