It would be a great idea to go to Machu Picchu. Is, without a doubt, one of the most famous places on Earth. If you work hard to get to this fortress on top of a mountain, you will see something that is rare in the rest of the world: true wonder.
But because Machu Picchu is such a popular tourist spot, many people who want to go there have a lot of questions about how to get there. You’ve found the right blog if you belong to this group. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about the Lost City of the Inca Empire before you go there.
Things to know about Machu Picchu:
Is it possible to get to Machu Picchu from a nearby airport?
Due to Peru’s beautiful landscape, the holy site of Machu Picchu is hidden in the highlands, right where the high rainforest of this interesting country meets the mountains. In short, this means that there isn’t an airport close to the fortress. If you want to see Machu Picchu, you have to go to the beautiful city of Cuzco, which is about 5 hours away from Machu Picchu.
We recommend that you stay at least two nights in Cuzco, one the night you get there and one the night before you leave. This is because it will take you a long time to get there and back, and getting there and back will be hard.
I would like to go to Machu Picchu, but I don’t know how to get there.
You can only get to the start of the trail to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes. Aguas Calientes is reached by trains that leave from Cuzco, Poroy, and Ollantaytambo. The first two are about four hours from the town of Aguas Calientes, which is near Machu Picchu. Ollantaytambo, on the other hand, is only about an hour and a half away.
But once you get to Machu Picchu town (Aguas Calientes), you’ll need to do one more short hike, which is described below.
Peru has a lot more to offer than just Machu Picchu, so travelers should know that. The train that leaves Ollantaytambo and goes through the Sacred Valley is a great way to see all of the interesting ancient sites, beautiful scenery, and rich indigenous culture in these Peruvian highland towns. As an added plus, this place has a lot of high-end places to stay that are sure to make your trip one you’ll never forget.
How can I get from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu?
There are two ways to get to the Inca fortress (Aguas Calientes) from Machu Picchu Village. The first option is to take a bus run by Consettur, a company made up of people from Machu Picchu town who wanted to help the economy. This route is only served by one bus.
At Machu Picchu, you can buy bus tickets at the Consettur stores on Sinchi Roca and Av. Hermanos Ayar (Aguas Calientes). You can either go out and get them yourself or have your destination expert do it for you.
Every ten minutes, buses go to both the town bus station and the gate to the castle. Yet, people know that the wait times in line are long. A normal bus ride from one place to another takes 20 minutes.
You could also walk the 5.6 miles (9 km) between Aguas Calientes and the Machu Picchu castle. If you walk at a normal pace, this trip might take you two hours. Remember that you will have to climb a lot of stairs as you go through the trees to get to the road. Exactly 2,000 of them need to be climbed.
Please tell me what to do with my bags, since Machu Picchu has rules about their size and weight.
On the train to Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes), you can bring a standard-sized bag. If you want to spend the night in Machu Picchu town (Aguas Calientes), you will have to pay extra for the luggage vehicle to carry your extra bags. Taking a day trip is the best way to see Machu Picchu in a day, and to do so easily, we recommend bringing only the things you need in a backpack.
If, when you get to Machu Picchu, you decide you don’t want to bring your bag inside, you can store it in one of the lockers for an extra fee.
If you decide to use a travel service like Metrojourneys, know that we’ll be happy to move your registered luggage from the train station to your hotel in Machu Picchu town (Aguas Calientes). When you get back from your day trip to Machu Picchu, your bags will be waiting for you in your room.
When will I be able to see Machu Picchu?
Now, there are nine different times to get into Machu Picchu, starting at 6:00 a.m. and happening on the hour. People can only get into the castle until 2:00 p.m., and they’ll have four hours to look around. Before you buy your ticket to Machu Picchu, please look at the table below for helpful information about when you can get in.
When would be the best time to go to Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu is open to you at any time! Some people, on the other hand, find it easier to come early in the day. Most of the time, fewer people are there at the early entry time. To get to Machu Picchu at this time, you must first spend the night in the town of Aguas Calientes, which is near Machu Picchu. Because Machu Picchu is at the edge of Peru’s cloud forest and plains, it is also known for being foggy in the mornings. But don’t worry! Fog will slowly lift over the course of the morning, showing stunning views. On the other hand, the place is usually busier in the afternoon, even though tourists may hope to see better views at that time.
How much do tickets to Machu Picchu cost?
Tickets to Machu Picchu can be bought at four different price points. In order to protect this World Heritage Site, rules say that only 3,000 tickets are offered in the morning and 2,600 in the afternoon.
Do you not need a guide when you go to Machu Picchu?
If you only want to go to Machu Picchu once, you have to go with a licensed guide. People who buy a second ticket and come back the next day or later that same day do not need to hire a helper.
On the paths that lead to Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu, guests must always have a guide with them.
How do people get back into Machu Picchu?
If you leave the fortress, you can’t come back the same day with the same ticket. Please make the most of the four hours you have to explore the fortress.
To get into the castle on the same day or on different days, you need a second ticket. If you’re interested, here are some ideas for pairs.
- Whole day
- With your first ticket, you can get in at 9 or 10 a.m.
- Between 12 and 1, people who are hungry can get something to eat outside the fortress walls.
- You can go back into the fortress at 1:00 p.m. if you bought a second ticket.
- There are two days between them.
- With your first ticket, you can get in at either noon or 1:00 p.m.
- Please come in the next morning with your second ticket.
How many different ways are there to walk around Machu Picchu?
At the time, people who want to visit Machu Picchu can choose between two major circuits and one that is made for people with mobility issues (you need to get permission to use this trail). Any of the other tracks in the area can be combined with these loops. On average, it takes three hours to finish the first trail, which is the biggest and most complete circle.
If I have trouble walking, would I still be able to see Machu Picchu?
Yes, you can. A path through the fortress was made with people who have trouble walking in mind. But if you want to explore one of the main circuit tracks, you should bring a trekking pole or walking stick.
Attraction-specific rules at Machu Picchu right now include, but are not limited to:
People can look around the Intihuatana Pyramid from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Between 10 AM and 1 PM, people can go to the Condor Temple. The Sun Temple can be reached every day between 1 PM and 4 PM. Here are some examples of things that you can’t bring into the fortress.
- Everything you need to make a meal.
- The animals
- Sprays that come in aerosol cans
- Seats that fold up
- Signs and posters
- Drunkenness is caused by alcohol, drugs, or the black market.
- Instruments, amps, and sound systems
- Parasols and umbrellas are examples of add-ons.
- Needles or other dangerous things, as well as any kind of gun
- Drones
Machu Picchu is so spiritually important that tourists should act as if they were in a sanctuary, which is what it really is. Because of this, there are a number of things that you can’t do inside the fortress:
- Leaving trash or trash of any kind on the ground
- making a scene or a lot of noise in the area
- Leaving the marked areas and paths to go exploring
- Taking off their clothes or putting on a mask (this sounds strange, but it has happened)
- Use of tobacco, including e-cigarettes,
- Using walking sticks with sharp metal tips that could damage sidewalks and buildings.
- harming local plants, animals, or artifacts or taking them away.
- Putting out matches
- Trying to climb or lean on the walls or buildings of the complex
- Leaving out high-traffic paths could cause walking traffic jams.
- Doing any kind of damage to the buildings and grounds, like spray painting, but not just that.
- Behaving in a way that could bring shame to the citadel
- Doing something that could hurt the integrity of a culture or environmental landmark
- Making movies to make money
- They were too loud and upset the peace and quiet of the other tourists and the somber mood of the citadel.
- A paraglider flew high above us.
- People use drones.
Both Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu have rocks that look a lot alike. What makes them different?
Two of the most well-known parts of the citadel are the hills of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu. Tickets for each of these trips are more expensive and in high demand, so they usually sell out quickly.
The mountain of Machu Picchu, which looks down on the whole complex, has a wide, medium-difficulty path that is always surrounded by lots of greenery. You have to get there at either 7:00 or 8:00 a.m. to beat the daily limit of 800 trips. The peak is 3,082 meters (10,112 feet) above sea level and takes three hours to reach on foot. The path is about 1.24 miles (2.0 km) long.
But Huayna Picchu is the peak that stands out most in any picture of the fortress. In the background of the building is this rock, which is 8,835 feet (2,693 meters) tall. If you’re in great shape and like getting your heart rate up, this is the mountain for you. During this walk, you’ll come across narrow paths, cliffs, archaeological sites, and steep slopes. It takes about 2.5 hours to hike this way, which is about the same as the time it takes to go up Machu Picchu Mountain (1.24 miles, or 2 km). Between 7:00 and 10:00 a.m. each day, only 400 people are allowed to go up this mountain.
FAQ’s
Q1. Can you do Machu Picchu without a guide?
Visitors can get in without tour guides. Even though new rules say that all tourists should hire a tour guide, you can still go on your own. You pay your pickup tour guide in cash. They will take US dollars or Peruvian money.