Experience Machu Picchu and Peru Without the Crowds - Authentic Machu Picchu Experiences. Machu Picchu is an amazing destination, and it definitely should be a part of your
travel plans. But, don't just go to Machu Picchu as there is so much more to see and do in the area, all of it fascinating and full of Inca architecture and history. For nuts and bolts information on visiting Machu Picchu.
Getting There
- Cusco is the launching off spot for all Machu Picchu trips. If coming from Lima, most people will choose to fly to Cusco (there are flights every hour during the day) as the bus ride is long and not very interesting.
- From Cusco, most people will travel to Ollantaytambo in either a bus or a van as part of their tour, then take the 2 hour train ride to Machu Picchu Pueblo (formerly called Aguas Calientes), which sits along the Urubamba River below Machu Picchu itself. From town you will take a short bus ride up a series of switchbacks to the entrance to Machu Picchu.
- Alternatively, if you wish to arrive into Machu Picchu on foot you can hike the permitted Inca Trail from the Sacred Valley. This is the only way to arrive into Machu Picchu on foot via a trail. Please note that Inca Trail permits can sell out 6 months or more in advance.
What should I do there?
- When visiting Machu Picchu it is a great idea to start with a guided tour to explore the whole ruin and to understand the significance of the various parts of the site.
- Following the tour it is great to have extra time to wander around on your own. You can either revisit your favorite spots or hike to the Sun Gate or elsewhere for spectacular views of Machu Picchu.
- We highly recommend climbing Huayna Picchu (the steep mountain in the back of most Machu Picchu photos) or Machu Picchu Mountain as part of your Machu Picchu experience. Both have fantastic views but Huayna Picchu is a shorter and steeper climb (some find it scary), and Machu Picchu Mountain is longer and higher, but not so scary. To climb either you need a special entrance ticket to the site of Machu Picchu, so you need to know if you plan to climb either of these at the time your Machu Picchu entrance is purchased, or you will have to purchase an entire new entrance ticket including the hike of your choice. Please note that Huayna Picchu will be closed from April 1-15, 2016 and Machu Picchu Mountain will be closed April 16-30 for maintenance.
How long should I spend there?
- If you just want to see the ruin, you can do the trip in one day taking the train there in the morning and the return train in the late afternoon. While this is enough time to see the entire site, it is quite fast. Machu Picchu is a spectacular site, and one you should visit, but it isn’t overly large. You can see all of it in half a day.
- We recommend taking an afternoon train to Machu Picchu Pueblo, spending the night there, then heading to the ruin the next morning. Please note that whatever you have heard it is not possible to arrive to Machu Picchu for sunrise. This schedule gives you time for a guided tour and free time to explore on your own or to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain before returning to Cusco or the Sacred Valley on the late afternoon train.
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