Selecting a specific time slot for your visit is required when purchasing tickets (e.g. 6 AM – 12 AM). This allows the organization to control the number of people for a better experience.
In total, you will need 3 – 6 hours of exploring depending if you choose to climb on of the mountains.
Must-read: Complete 3-week Peru Travel Guide
Machu Picchu Ticket Types
When it comes to purchasing a ticket, you have three options. Book your multi-day tour here (includes Machu Picchu).
- Machu Picchu Ruins only
- Huayna Picchu Mountain + Ruins
- Machu Picchu Mountain + Ruins
We would recommend purchasing either option one or two.
Tickets are available online, at tour companies and at all major cities like Cusco or Aguas Calientes. Bring your passport and cash when purchasing it in the city.
Visiting Machu Picchu in Peru
Beat the crowds by getting up early and entering when Machu Picchu opens at 6 AM. Walk a short 5-min up to the first ruins and be on time for the incredible sunrise to appear from behind the mountain tops shining down on Huayna Picchu Mountain. (The large mountain behind the ruins)
Also, visit the Rainbow Mountain in Peru
It is simply mind-blowing when you see all the terraces in a valley with that incredible backdrop.
Tip: Make sure to visit a bathroom before going to the top as there are no toilets inside the site.
How to get to Machu Picchu
Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
In order to get an early start, spend the night in Aguas Calientes, a small town located near Machu Picchu. From there, take the first shuttle bus (30 minutes) to the entrance. Please note that a return bus ticket costs 24 USD, which is high compared to standard rates in Peru.
Please note: It is prohibited to take food, tripods, selfie sticks, and drones.
The first bus departs at 5:30 AM. However, make sure to start queueing at 4:30 AM as the line can get extremely long. Don’t let the length of the line scare you; the shuttle buses are very convenient and fast.
Also: Discover the surprising capital Lima, Peru.
Hike from Aguas Calientes
Your second option is to save a lot of money and hike about 60 minutes uphill to the entrance of Machu Picchu.
Inca Trail Trek
Another option is to walk the official Inca Trail and be earlier inside the site than everybody else. It is a 4 or 5-day trek that, undoubtedly, gives a huge satisfaction while finishing at Machu Picchu.
Huayna Picchu Mountain
If you bought a ticket that includes the hike to Huayna Picchu, please note that the gates to go up are only open between 7 and 8 AM or 10 to 11 AM (check the time on your ticket). To climb Huayna Picchu, it is recommended to book your tickets 8 weeks in advance.
The Passport Stamp
And when your time slot expires, head to the exit to place the official Machu Picchu stamp in your passport. It is allowed to do this in your passport but if you don’t feel comfortable with that, take a postcard with you to the top to stamp.
Getting from Cusco to Machu Picchu Town
Cusco is the gateway to Machu Picchu in Peru. Take the incredible 1.5-hour train ride from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, where each wagon has a see-through roof. The train is, next to hiking, your only option since there are no roads in the mountains.
Aguas Calientes
Aguas Calientes, better known as Machu Picchu Pueblo (town) is located just 30 minutes away from the world-famous site. This tiny traveler’s town is built around the train tracks and offers a handful of good restaurants and hotels. Other than that, there isn’t much to do, and it is just a relaxing village to be for one or two days.
Machu Picchu elevation and altitude sickness
Altitude sickness can be a very unpleasant feeling. Fortunately, the ruins are located at 2450 meters. That is below the 2500 meters where altitude sickness can start appearing. Spend a few days in the higher-located Cusco to acclimatize, followed by a visit to the Mapi Ruins.
Hotels to Stay
It is best to find a hotel in Aguas Calientes while visiting Machu Picchu. Another option is to stay in Cusco or Ollantaytambo, but this would require an earlier departure and a train ride. This would take up quite some time. If you’re backpacking in Peru, there are also plenty of hostel options near Machu Picchu (search for hostel availability here).
Best time to visit Machu Picchu
Weather-wise, it is best to visit during winter in Peru. Winter is the dry season and runs from May to September, whereas June to August are the busiest months tourism-wise. October to April is with the least tourists because of its wet season; however, a visit in October or April can be an excellent choice.
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Hi,
Excellent information about the tour and great pictures!
Did you guys hike the Huayna Pichu mountain? If yes, is it the difficulty level moderate or hard?
Hi, thank you! We weren’t able to do the Huayna Pichu because those tickets were already sold out for our visit.