Machu Picchu
Often referred to as “The Lost City of the Incas”, Machu Picchu is the most familiar symbols of the Incan Empire. It is also one of the most impressive and spectacular sets of ruins in the world – in fact, it was recently named one of the Seven New Wonders of the World.
There are several ways to reach Machu Picchu – although the most breathtaking are the famous Inka Trail and the equally impressive Salkantay Trek. Additionally, visitors who don’t have four days to devote to the Inka Trail can take the train to Aguas Calientes from Cusco and then walk or ride the bus up to Machu Picchu.
While a visit to Peru would not be complete without visiting Machu Picchu, there are restrictions on the number of visitors allowed each day on the Inka Trail. So be sure to book your trip well in advance!!
- Popular itineraries
- What to see?
- How long to visit?
- When to visit?
- How to get there?
- Additional details
Lima-Cusco – This 7 day trip includes city tours of both Lima and Cusco as well as a full day in the Sacred Valley and culminates with a visit to Machu Picchu!
Lima-Puno-Cusco – This 9 day itinerary includes all the sites of Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu from our classic Lima-Cusco itinerary as well as several days exploring Lake Titicaca (plus a ride on the world famous Andean Express train from Puno to Cusco).
Lima-Arequipa-Puno-Cusco – This 12 day adventure allows you to see most of southern Peru – it builds upon our Lima-Puno-Cusco tour by offering you the chance to explore beautiful Arequipa and see the stunning Colca Canyon.
Inka Trail – Spend 9 breathtaking days hiking the world famous Inka Trail, exploring Cusco, Lima and the Sacred Valley and top it all off with a full day at Machu Picchu.
Salkantay Trek – For those who want a more intense and beautiful hike to Machu Picchu, the Salkantay Trek is just the thing. This 10 day trip includes tours of Lima, Cusco and the Sacred Valley as well as a full day to explore Machu Picchu.
Please inquire about a trip to Machu Picchu when you submit your booking information and we can provide you with all relevant details!
Once you have arrived at Machu Picchu, there is more to see than just the historic citadel. There are several popular viewing areas for taking photos and catching amazing views of the surrounding mountains, there are two popular mountain hikes and finally several secondary archeological sites.
What to see
- The Citadel
- Wayna Picchu Mountain
- Machu Picchu Mountain
- Inka Bridge
- Inti Punktu (Sun Gate)
Check out our pictures on Flickr:
You will need at least a full day (8-10 hours) to see all that Machu Picchu has to offer. However, because of the number of available walks/hikes (Sun Gate, Machu Picchu Mountain and Wayna Picchu Mountain) that take over 2 hours, many people chose to spread the visit over two days so as to not get physically burnt out.
Machu Picchu can be visited year round, although the most popular time to visit is during the drier season (April – October). However, the rainy season (November – March) also has its advantages: temperatures are often warmer (and there are still many beautiful sunny days), there are less crowds and prices are often reduced in Aguas Calientes and Cusco.
Weather
Machu Picchu is located in a semi-tropical climate. There are two marked seasons: a dry season (April – October) and a rainy season (November – March). Temperatures are relatively stable, with annual lows of 6 degrees Celcius and highs around 21 degrees Celcius (40 – 70 degrees Fahrenheit). However, it can get colder during the evening/night during the dry season.
- Plane & Bus – All visits to Machu Picchu will start in Cusco, which is easily accessible via an hour long flight on all three Peru airlines (LAN, StarPeru and Peruvian Airlines). Flights on LAN are more reliable, but often more expensive. StarPeru and Peruvian Airlines provide alternatives for those on a budget. Additionally, you can also reach Cusco via a 21.5 hour bus ride from Lima – which is the cheapest transportation option.
- Train – The most spectacular route to Cusco is on the 10 hour Andean Explorer train service to/from Cusco – which is one of the most beautiful and highest train rides in the world. The train operates on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday (with an additional departure on Fridays from April to October).
Transportation to Machu Picchu
There are 3 ways to reach Machu Picchu from Cusco:
- The Inka Trail – This popular 4-day hike starts at mile marker 82 and ends at Aguas Calientes. From Aguas Calientes, visitors can reach Machu Picchu by a 25 minute bus ride or by hiking several hours.
- Salkantay Trek – This lesser known, but more spectacular hike to Machu Picchu takes about 4 days to reach Aguas Calientes. From Aguas Calientes, visitors can reach Machu Picchu by a 25 minute bus ride or by hiking several hours.
- Train to Aguas Calientes – Most visitors who are pressed for time will take the several hour train journey from the Sacred Valley or outside of Cusco. This ride provides spectacular views of the Urubamba River valley as it snakes its way to Aguas Calientes. From Aguas Calientes, visitors can reach Machu Picchu by a 25 minute bus ride or by hiking several hours.
- Machu Picchu (2,450 metres or 8,040 ft) and Cusco (3,600 metres or 11,800 ft) are both at higher altitudes than most visitors are accustomed to. Thus we recommend consulting with your doctor about the best ways to combat altitude sickness – including getting a prescription for Acetazolamide. Other typical remedies for altitude sickness include drinking coca tea and/or chewing coca leaves (which is what the locals do) as well as spending several less-active days in Cusco getting acclimated to the altitude before hiking the Inca Trail or visiting Machu Picchu.