MACHU PICCHU: A PRACTICAL AND HONEST GUIDE TO PLANNING YOUR TRIP

While Europe was raising cathedrals with iron and mortar, the Incas built cities without wheels or pack animals, carving terraces on the edge of cliffs and aligning their temples with the sun. Machu Picchu is the jewel of that legacy. It wasn’t built to merely survive, it was built for posterity.

Hidden among mist-covered mountains and lush vegetation, this Inca complex survived abandonment, conquest, and mass tourism. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know to visit it meaningfully: how to get there, when to go, what to see, how much it costs, and what mistakes to avoid. If you’re going to experience one of the few wonders of the world that still breathes in its original environment, it’s worth doing it right.

KEY FACTS ABOUT MACHU PICCHU

WHAT IS MACHU PICCHU AND WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT?

Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel built by Inca Pachacutec high in the Andes, at 7,972 feet above sea level, in the transition zone between the mountains and the Amazon rainforest. It’s located in the Machupicchu district, within the Cusco region, in southeastern Peru.

Although it’s commonly called “ruins,” the term doesn’t do it justice: what stands here isn’t in ruins, but still standing. It was designed with an architectural precision that continues to baffle modern engineers and archaeologists. Polished stone blocks fitted without mortar, hydraulic channels invisible to the naked eye, terraces that still drain rainwater, and temples oriented according to the movements of the sun and stars. Its original function was multifaceted: a religious sanctuary, an astronomical center, an administrative complex, a royal estate, all at once. What we do know is that it wasn’t an ordinary or massive city, but rather a sacred, strategic space reserved for the elite of the Tahuantinsuyo (Inca Empire).

Although local farmers had always known about it, Machu Picchu remained off the world’s radar until American explorer Hiram Bingham arrived in 1911 and introduced it to the Western world. Since then, its fame has grown until it became one of the most important tourist destinations on the planet. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and chosen as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. Today it receives more than 1.7 million visitors annually.

What’s striking isn’t just its location or aesthetics; it’s the intelligence with which it was built. In a highly changeable climate of intense rains, constant fog, and seismic activity, Machu Picchu has withstood centuries without collapsing, dominating the landscape while being perfectly integrated into it.

HOW TO GET TO MACHU PICCHU?

Although Machu Picchu appears isolated among mountains, getting there is easier than many people think. The important thing to understand is that you can’t drive directly to the citadel or the nearest town. The final destination is the town of Aguas Calientes (also called Machu Picchu Pueblo), and from there you access the archaeological site by bus or on foot. To reach Aguas Calientes, there are two main routes: by train or on foot.

Option 1: By Train

Advantages: Fast, safe, assigned seats, panoramic windows, tourist services.
Disadvantages: High prices, less contact with local culture, limited schedules.

Recommendation: If you have limited time or want total comfort, the train is the best option. If you’re already in the Sacred Valley of the Incas (towns like Pisac, Urubamba, etc.), it’s most practical to depart from Ollantaytambo.

For those seeking a deeper and more transformative experience, walking to Machu Picchu isn’t just a means of transportation: it’s part of the journey. There are several trekking routes that end in Aguas Calientes or directly at the citadel, each with different difficulty levels and scenery.

Option 2: Trekking Routes

• Classic Inca Trail: The original route used by the Incas. It’s the most regulated and most symbolic. Requires booking several months in advance.
• Salkantay Trek: Ideal if you want wild nature and ecosystem changes: snow-capped mountains, cloud forest, and high jungle. No special permit needed.
• Inca Jungle: Mix of adventure (biking, rafting, hiking). Attracts mainly young travelers.
• Hidroeléctrica Route: The cheapest option. You take a bus to Santa Teresa and then walk along the train tracks (about 6 miles) to Aguas Calientes.

Recommendation: If you have good physical condition and enough time, walking to Machu Picchu changes how you experience it. It’s not just about arriving; it’s about building the experience step by step through unique ecosystems and landscapes found nowhere else in the world.

WHEN TO VISIT MACHU PICCHU?

In the Peruvian Andes, and especially in the Cusco region, there’s no spring, summer, fall, and winter like in other countries. Here, only two distinct climate seasons exist: the dry season and the rainy season. And while each has advantages, the truth is that the weather in Machu Picchu can change several times a day without warning. That’s part of its nature: unpredictable, intense, and always alive.

Seasons in Cusco and Machu Picchu

Note: The truth is that any month can surprise you with sun or rain in the Andes mountains or cloud forest around Machu Picchu.

WHAT TO SEE IN MACHU PICCHU?

Since June 2024, visits to Machu Picchu are organized into 3 main circuits that group 10 official routes. Each has a different focus: some are designed for the classic photo, others for complete archaeological tours, and others for demanding hikes or secondary routes. All have the same base price, but they don’t offer the same experience.

Circuit 1: Panoramic (Quick Photos)

• 1-A Machu Picchu Mountain: Demanding climb up to 10,115 ft. Requires special entry.
• 1-B Upper Terrace: Quick access to the classic viewpoint. Ideal for photos and quick exit.
• 1-C Sun Gate (Inti Punku): Hike to the ancient Inca entrance. Only during dry season.
• 1-D Inca Bridge: Short route to a stone suspension bridge. Open only certain months.

For whom: Travelers with limited time, reduced mobility, or those only seeking the typical photo. Doesn’t include temples or internal zones.

Circuit 2: Classic (The Complete Experience)

• 2-A Designed Route: Complete archaeological tour: Guardian’s House, Temple of the Sun, Three Windows, Sacred Plaza, Intihuatana.
• 2-B Lower Variant: Lower route through the quarries, with fewer steps, but good content.

For whom: First-timers or those who want to see the essentials without missing anything. Includes temples and panoramic view.

Circuit 3: Royal (To Know the Depths)

• 3-A Huayna Picchu: Steep and popular hike. Includes lower area + mountain.
• 3-B Ritual Zones: Lesser-known temples, quarries, and sacred enclosures without classic viewpoint.
• 3-C Great Cavern: Includes the Temple of the Moon, only during high season.
• 3-D Huchuy Picchu: Short route with good side view. Less demanding.

For whom: Those who have visited Machu Picchu before or seek a more archaeological or physical experience. Doesn’t include the famous photo from above.

ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR MACHU PICCHU TRIP

1. Advance Ticket Purchase

The safest way to access Machu Picchu is to buy your ticket online at least 3 months or more in advance. You can do this on the official website of Peru’s Ministry of Culture or through authorized agencies. Tickets are nominative and have fixed schedules.

On the other hand, since 2023, the government has enabled limited in-person sales in Aguas Calientes (around 1,000 daily tickets). This is a risky option: lines start before dawn and spots run out quickly. Not recommended if your time is limited or you’re traveling on key dates.

In summary: don’t improvise. If Machu Picchu is a central part of your trip, make sure to book everything well in advance. Arriving without a ticket is like playing roulette with destiny.

2. Mandatory Documents

You must present your passport (or valid document) along with the printed or digital ticket. If the data doesn’t match, you won’t be allowed entry.

3. Entry Times and Duration

There are 9 time slots between 6:00 AM and 2:00 PM. You can only enter at the exact time indicated on your ticket. Maximum stay varies between 2.5 and 4 hours, depending on the chosen circuit.

4. Mandatory or Recommended Guide

For long or short circuits, having a guide is highly recommended. Groups cannot exceed 10 people per guide.

5. Prohibited Items

It’s not allowed to enter with food, snacks, plastic bottles, walking sticks without rubber tips, drones, large tripods, or bulky backpacks. There are checkpoints where your luggage is inspected.

ESTIMATED COSTS PER PERSON

Total estimated: between $250 and $700, depending on traveler type.

• Entry prices vary by nationality, age (children, seniors), and if you present a valid student ID.
• Trains range from basic options to luxury experiences like the Hiram Bingham.
• Accommodation varies between budget hostels and boutique hotels.
• You can find menus from $5, but also gourmet options in town.

IS MACHU PICCHU WORTH IT?

Yes, but not for the obvious reasons. Machu Picchu was not built to impress in a photograph. It was designed to coexist with the mountain, align with the sun, and endure time without seeking attention. It is not a theme park. It is a living legacy. If you go just for the postcard, you will get a picture. But if you go with respect, proper planning, and the right mindset, what awaits is an experience that moves your body and reshapes your sense of travel.

And to do it right, you need more than just a ticket. You need context, preparation, and a local operator who truly understands the terrain. Waman Adventures is a certified local operator with years of experience guiding travelers toward what truly matters. They do more than organize the trip. They plan it with you, step by step.

If you are ready to go beyond the cliché, start here: explore their trips to Peru and Machu Picchu and prepare for an experience that honors the place. With respect, with guidance, with meaning.