Machu Picchu Tours

It's no secret that Machu Picchu is at a relatively high altitude, and you need to visit Cusco beforehand, which sits at over 3,000 masl. For this reason, it's very important to take precautions regarding the altitude. We strongly advise spending 2 to 3 days in the city before engaging in any strenuous activity to adjust.

You may find that your doctor back home is able to prescribe some altitude medicine, but if not, you can buy pills in the pharmacies in Cusco upon arrival in case you feel ill. These also sell small cans of oxygen, which can help with feeling light-headed or nauseous.

If you prefer a more natural way to deal with the altitude, you can opt for a coca or muna tea. Both of these have been drunk since Incan times and are a great help for headaches or feeling unwell. You will also find candies in both flavours to take with you on trips.

Machu Picchu is a little isolated in a remote area of Peru and can only be accessed by taking the train or trekking there. It is located in the Cusco Region, in the Urubamba Province, within the Machu Picchu District. This is above the Sacred Valley of the Incas and about 80 kilometres to the North West of Cusco.

As with any trip, the further ahead you plan, the better. This is especially true if you wish to do the Inca Trail or climb the Huayna Picchu Mountain inside Machu Picchu. Both of these sell out months in advance, particularly for the high season between April and October.

You are able to organize a trip to Machu Picchu by yourself, but most prefer to go through a travel company to make sure that everything goes smoothly.

If you won’t have much time in Cusco, you can decide to go on a one or two day trip, which will take you to Aguas Calientes where you’ll visit Machu Picchu and then return to Cusco.

If you have more time, we highly recommend one of the treks available. You will experience walking through the incredible landscapes of the Andes as well as mee some new friends and have fun along the way.

Make sure you have everything organized well in advance, including your flight tickets and an up to date passport. The more organized you are, the more likely everything will go as planned and you’ll be able to enjoy your trip.

Before heading to this World Wonder, there are a few things you should know.

• Take your passport because you won’t be allowed in without it. At the entrance your ticket details will be checked against your passport, so make sure all the information on your ticket is correct.
• Print out your tickets as you’ll need to hand them over upon arrival.
• If you would like, you can stamp your passport with a special Machu Picchu stamp and the date as you go inside.
• Buy your tickets beforehand to avoid disappointment if they are sold out. The tickets are also not available at the gates.
• You can either hike up thecouple of thousand steps to Machu Picchu or go on a bus tha departs from Aguas Calientes. The same goes for coming down.
• You can opt to hike the extra mountains of Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu inside. However, you need to buy these tickets along with your entrance as they can not be added on the day of your visit or after you have the tickets.
• You can hike to the Sun Gate for no extra cost once inside.
• Make sure you take plenty of sun protection as well as an insect repellent. Long sleeves and pants are recommended to avoid insect bites.
• Once you go inside the archaeological site, there are no bathrooms, so make sure you go before you enter.
• You can opt to buy an entrance ticket for the morning or the afternoon. The morning means you can see the sunrise, but it is busier at this time. You can also only hike the extra mountains in the morning shift. The afternoon is better if you wish to enjoy a more peaceful trip to the site.
• Take lots of water as you will get thirsty walking around and there are no shops inside. You aren’t allowed to take plastic bottles or any food, though.
• There’s no allowance for the use of tripods, selfie sticks, or drones inside, so don’t take them or you will get in trouble.
• Take a good camera to get some unforgettable photos.

The best time to visit Machu Picchu is from May to October, which is the dry season. You will, however, experience a lot more visitors during this time, so it’s up to you. May to August are especially busy, but the weather tends to be nice and sunny.

From November to March it’s the rainy season, and you will find it rains most days at Machu Picchu. It can also make the floor slippery, which can be a little dangerous if you wish to hike Huayna Picchu. The Inca Trail is also closed in February for these reasons.

Here are a few of the must-see sites while inside the citadel of Machu Picchu.

Keep these tips in mind when visiting Machu Picchu.

• Take a day pack where you can carry your camera, water, and perhaps a guidebook. Do not take food inside as it’s not allowed, not even fruit.
• Arrive as early as possible to avoid the larger crowds and get a glimpse of the sun coming up over the site.
• Buy your ticket in advance to make sure you can visit on the date you want to. Booking late means that it may be sold out, especially the extra mountain hikes.
• Do an extra hike if you can. You can either pay to go up to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, or you can head up to the Sun Gate for no extra cost. You can get a great view from them all.
• Take your time to fully enjoy the citadel as much as you can and to make sure you visit all the important sites.
• Hire a guide if you are going by yourself to learn all about Machu Picchu. It’s a much more interesting visit if you understand what every section and structure are.

You can’t go to Machu Picchu without spending some time in the small town of Aguas Calientes. Let’s take a look at some of the things you can do while you’re there.