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MACHU PICCHU | Visiting Machu Picchu and its neighbouring mountain Huayna Picchu (also known as Wayna Picchu) was one of the most breathtaking experience we’ve ever had. It’s one of those places that, despite how much people speak about it’s ability to inspire awe, still manages to exceed expectations when you visit.
During our preparation for this trip, we found ourselves a little confused about the best way to get around as there’s limited information available in English. Below are some of our essential Machu Picchu tips for anyone wanting to visit this amazing site.
Tickets
If you choose to hike the Inca trail, your tour company will organise all your permits and entry tickets for Machu Picchu. Alternatively, if you choose to travel independently you will need to organise your own entry ticket to the mountain. To buy tickets, use the official government website. The website is notoriously slow and often freezes, which might make you think it’s about dodgy but this isn’t the case. It’s the official government website and the one that will guarantee you don’t get scammed with fake tickets.
The website has three options for tickets depending upon your preference and availability.
- Machupicchu citadel only. This ticket gets you access to Machu Picchu citadel (what most people know of as “Machu Picchu”) at a set entry time.
- Machupicchu citadel con montaña Waynapicchu . You can enter Machu Picchu citadel at any time, and hike up Huayna Picchu during one of two sessions, 7:00am to 8:00am or 10:00am to 11:00am.
- Machupicchu citadel con montaña Machupicchu. You can enter the Machu Picchu citadel at any time, and hike up Machu Picchu Mountain, which is located almost 600 meters above Machu Picchu citadel. Hiking here is limited to two sessions, 7:00am to 8:00am or 10:00am to 11:00am.
I highly recommend option two as the views from Huayna Picchu down to Machu Picchu citadel are spectacular. Options two and three have limited tickets available to minimise damage to the mountain and tracks so make sure you book as far in advance as possible.
Once you have booked and paid for your ticket ensure you print a physical copy as you will need this for entry, along with your passport. If you don’t have both items on hand when you arrive, you won’t be let in.
Getting there (Non-Hiking Option)
After you have booked your Machu Picchu ticket, you need to organise train tickets and decide where you want to stay prior to visiting the site. Machu Picchu is located a short bus ride from the town of Aguas Calientes. Getting to Aguas Calientes takes about four hours by train from Cusco or two hours by train from Ollantaytambo. Handily, you can store luggage at Machu Picchu so you can visit en route to another part of the Sacred Valley of the Incas without worrying what to do with your bags.
To board the train you will require a physical train ticket which can be picked up in advance from any Perurail ticket booth. The booths are in convenient locations in Lima, Cusco, and Ollantaytambo. To collect your ticket you will require your passport, the credit card you used to pay for your tickets and the e-mail booking confirmation.
The Machu Picchu Bus
A lot of people purchase their bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu when they arrive in Aguas Calientes. Avoid this as possible as the line can get extremely long. Instead, purchase your bus ticket in advance from Consettur Macuhpicchu S.A.C (Av. Infancia 433, Cusco 08000, Peru). Do be aware that the company only accepts cash payments.
Getting Back To Aguas Calientes
Machu Picchu is unlike anywhere else in the world, and it’s easy to lose track of time as you’re walking through it and being awed. Do keep an eye on that clock though and leave yourself enough time to get back to the bus stop. The line for the bus back to Aguas Calientes can be one to two hours long and you don’t want to miss your connecting train to your next destination.
Additional Machu Picchu Tips
Depending on the time of year, the weather, how busy it is, and a whole assortment of other factors, your experience at Machu Picchu could differ from what you expect. It’s best to be prepared, and if you bring the below items with you, you’ll be all good.
- Raincoat. It can rain without warning at any time.
- A warm jumper. It gets cold in the morning but as the sun comes up it becomes quite warm.
- Sunscreen. There’s no shade here.
- Insect repellent. Sometimes it’s insect-free, other times there are flies all over the place.
- Water. Stay hydrated.
- Hat/Sunglasses. Minimise the negative effects of the sun.
- Snacks. Food at the cafe is expensive. Come prepared and save some cash.
- Small change. There’s a small charge to use the toilets, and you’ll want to go before getting on that bus back to Aguas Calientes.
Have you been to Machu Picchu before? Are there any additional Machu Picchu tips that you think people should be aware of? Let us know.