How Do You Get To Machu Picchu

If you haven't placed Machu Picchu on your bucket list yet, then put this—one of the Seven Wonders of the World—at the very top and come prepared with these insider tips. As a travel advisor who's now been there twice and booked many travelers on various styles of Machu Picchu trips, I hope my insight can help you plan the best way to see Machu Picchu for your interests and activity level.

Ask an Expert about Machu Picchu

So you've decided you want to go—now what? There is infinite information online about how to do it right, but I highly suggest you seek advice from a travel expert who knows the nuances to tailor the right Machu Picchu experience to your travel style and budget. Not all trips to Machu Picchu are created equal, and as you will read below, there are a lot of logistics to consider. Be sure to do your research to ensure you're going with a reputable company. From getting a good guide and gear to ensuring the health and safety of any pack animals and porters, it's important to give the destination the respect it deserves.

Happy guest on tour to Machu Picchu standing next to the Bienvenidos sign.

Go on a Guided Multi-Day Tour

I've done Machu Picchu both ways: on a budget trip with minimal guiding in 2008 (hiking and camping on the Inca Trail for three nights) and on a fully guided weeklong Peru tour of the region with AdventureSmith Explorations in 2018. In hindsight, I see how much I missed not having had a skilled guide throughout my first trip. I now have a much deeper appreciation of the Incan Empire because someone was there to point out all the archeological structures and their significance along the way.

Be sure to spend at least two half-days or one full day at the Citadel so you have time to tour one of the main circuits and hike to a view.

It's now required to be guided within the ticketed Citadel of Machu Picchu, but my argument having done it both ways is to go all in and book a guided journey of the whole region, spending at least two half-days or one full day up at the Citadel so you can be sure to tour one of the main circuits as well as do one of the hikes mentioned below. Having my trip arranged as a comprehensive guided tour, including all my hotel arrangements, transportation and a guide along the way, allowed me to sit back and enjoy my trip without having to do anything but soak up the views and information.

Prepare for Crowds

When visiting Machu Picchu it is important to set correct expectations for the sheer number of people who will be visiting alongside you. Machu Picchu sees over 1 million visitors each year (some 5,000 people a day in the high season). On my first trip in 2008, the Sacred Valley and Cusco had all just been named UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Machu Picchu was named one of the new Seven Wonders of the World the year prior. Such prestigious recognition quickly brought in travelers from all over the globe, evidenced by the multitude of languages heard when I was wandering the Citadel and a lack of organization in managing the crowds.

Three months before my recent arrival, new regulations had been put in place making it mandatory to have a guide at Machu Picchu, to enter at a scheduled time and to be on designated walking circuits. The magnitude of these changes has made viewing this UNESCO World Heritage Site much more manageable and enjoyable. Now while walking any of the circuits, there is no turning around or taking shortcuts as there are officials at almost every corner who do not hesitate to blow their whistle in order to steer you back on track. Having once visited Machu Picchu without these regulations I can attest that this was a welcome and appreciated change that helped alleviate congestion and chaos that I once encountered. My overall advice is to not let the crowds dictate your experience. Know that they exist and plan to breathe and be patient, especially if you are hoping to take any iconic photos without people in them. That requires some serious craftiness!

Pack Smart

Though magical and intriguing as Machu Picchu is, it can still feel overwhelming despite the new systematic organization. I recommend coming prepared by packing wisely and knowing where your essentials are. Fumbling around with gear, wearing too many bulky layers and not knowing your camera settings can all waste precious time/moments when there's a crowd. Pack leave-no-trace quick snacks and water as you will be in there for a few hours. Sunblock, a hat and a rain jacket are also essential as the weather changes quick, and when the sun pops out, it's strong! There are also quite a few things to NOT pack, including selfie sticks, tripods, walking sticks and large backpacks, all detailed here: The New Rules of Machu Picchu.

For your overall trip among the Peruvian Highlands, plan for cooler temps (read more about Peru's climate for travel). That being said, your trip will almost certainly bring you through Lima, which has much warmer and humid temperatures all year. Don't forget to pack a lighter layer of clothes if you plan to explore Lima in any depth.

River going through the mountains at Machu Picchu.

Keep Close to Your Guide – the Citadel is Fascinating

When you enter Machu Picchu, you will head along a path to get your first glimpse of the Citadel, and there is a grassy staging area where many guides gather their groups for an introductory chat before beginning one of the main circuits. We took the Circuit 1 route, and over the course of a few hours we saw structures for the royalty and non-royalty, Sun Temple, Temple of Three Windows, etc. It was absolutely worth having a guide who described each structure, the history, as well as the rediscovery of Machu Picchu. It was fascinating learning how intuitive they were in using astrology and weather patterns when constructing the Citadel without any modern technological resources. It is because of these engineering feats relating to the environment that all of it still exists to this day.

Llamas amongst the ruins at Machu Picchu.

Choose Your Hike Wisely & Know Before You Go

There are a number of ways to walk and hike in the Citadel, and some require additional permits, so knowing what you want out of your hiking experience will set you up for success. I like to put it simply to my clients traveling there: beyond the main circuit you will hike with your guide, you have three hike options: Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain or the Sun Gate, the first two requiring an additional permit to access them.

There are a number of ways to walk and hike in the Citadel, and some require additional permits, so knowing what you want out of your hiking experience will set you up for success.

You can read more about each Machu Picchu hike option in detail, but in a nutshell: choose Huayna Picchu if you are in good shape and not afraid of heights; opt for the more mellow Sun Gate for a similar bird's eye view but without the arduous climb; and choose Machu Picchu Mountain if you are somewhere in the middle (seeking an active, long hike that covers more miles than Huayna but with less exposure).

Llamas eating and laying down among the ruins at Machu Picchu.

Enjoy the Ride: Getting to Machu Picchu

While Cusco is often perceived as the gateway to Machu Picchu as that is where the airport is located, traveling to Machu Picchu requires more logistics than just getting yourself to Cusco. Once you make the trek (by foot, rail and bus), you'll see why it was the Lost City of the Incas for so long. It truly is a journey to get there and I suggest you enjoy the ride!

The train going into Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu.

Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu, is only accessible by foot or train, so Ollantaytambo (a 2-hours' drive from Cusco) is the car-accessible hub from which to begin your trek or train journey. Technically, everyone takes the train for a bit, but those who trek on the Inca Trail (as I did on my first trip) are on the train for a shorter amount of time before continuing the journey on foot. For those who take the train for the full 90-minute ride to Aguas Calientes, I recommend ordering a pisco sour (as I did on my second trip) to enjoy with your incredible views of the Urubamba River.

Guest enjoying a local pisco sour beverage made on the train ride to Aguas Calientes at Machu Picchu.

Once in Aguas Calientes, it's a 25-minute bus ride, or steep 90-minute hike, up to the Machu Picchu entrance. Most travelers take the bus. On my recent guided trip with AdventureSmith, all our bus tickets and Machu Picchu entrance tickets were arranged in advance so all we had to do was wake early and stand in line at the bus queue. The bus line is infamous, so having a guide walk you through the process can make things go smoother and swifter. The buses begin transporting passengers at 5:30am and go until 3:30pm, running every 5-10 minutes rotating with 30+ buses. Some people begin lining up at 4:00am in order to be one of the first inside the Citadel at 6:00am and view the sunrise from the Sun Gate. This isn't completely necessary unless it's a clear morning, but most of the time you can expect it to be cloudy. On my recent trip, we waited in line for one hour, a less-than- average wait, before we were on the bus working our way up 1,000 feet in elevation (around 25 minutes) to the entrance.

Take Care of Business Before You Enter

Want another pro tip? Use the restroom before you enter the Citadel since the new regulations state there is no reentry. Be sure to bring a few pesos as it costs a small fee, and it never hurts to pack your own toilet paper as it's quite a crowded "visitor site." While it may seem like a hassle to wait in the line, it only took me 5-10 minutes on my last trip and it was well worth the added time.

Hope for Sun, Prep for Clouds (& Be Amazed Regardless)

Machu Picchu sits between the Andes and the Amazon, lending its spectacular, ever-changing weather patterns. My advice is to not fully plan your trip around any weather statistics but to just prepare for all types of weather here. I've seen Machu Picchu enshrouded in clouds as well as on a warm and sunny day and both experiences were spectacular. My first trip on a gray day really showcased the mystery and allure of Machu Picchu, with peeks of the green grass and stone among fast-moving clouds.

Aim to not fully plan your trip around any weather statistics but to just prepare for all types of weather.

My trip on the cloud-free day allowed for epic views of the stunning mountains that encompass Machu Picchu. February is historically the rainiest month, with the Inca Trail closed during this time. If you must travel in February, the tradeoff for more rain will be less crowds, so every season has its advantages and disadvantages.

Be Patient as You Exit

While everyone warns you about the crowds, it's easy to forget that they exist as you leave as well. While the bus lines back down to Aguas Calientes are typically shorter than the way up, I've realized that leaving the Citadel always takes a bit more time than anticipated due to the one-way paths leaving Machu Picchu. It's like being in stop-and-go traffic. My advice again is to not worry too much and buffer in some time for your departure (versus rushing to make an afternoon train) if possible.

Don't Miss Spending Time in Cusco & the Sacred Valley

As mentioned above, to get to Machu Picchu, you have to pass through Cusco and the Sacred Valley, so why rush and miss out on visiting three of Peru's most iconic World Heritage sites? Having traveled extensively throughout South America, Cusco is one of my favorite cities, and the people, architecture, restaurants and energy are unlike any other city found in South America. My trip with AdventureSmith Explorations also included visits to Moray, Maras, Pisac and Ollyantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, which afforded us the opportunity to learn about the massive and organized structure that the Incas ruled over throughout much of South America. Each of these sites had a distinct function, whether it was to house the elite, stand as military outposts or act as an agricultural hub. Having a trained guide along at each of these sites made it not only educational to learn how they were all connected, but also efficient given the distance it takes to get from one location to the next.

Visit Cusco Last

While you will fly into Cusco to begin your Machu Picchu trip, I recommend saving your Cusco city time until the end of your trip and heading first to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Not only is this becoming more of a preferred route due to altitude sickness abatement, it also flows really well in my opinion. If you plan your trip this way, you will see the fertile lands of Sacred Valley, Moras, Moray, Pisaq (all around 9,500 feet in elevation), then Ollyantaytambo and then Machu Picchu (7,874 feet) and the Inca sites get bigger and better as you go.

Finishing the journey in Cusco at 11,154 feet last helps you acclimatize and enjoy the city more instead of huffing and puffing with every step. And you can also appreciate the cuisine, stonework and energy of the city as well as be more engaged at the museums after having experienced the region first. Many clients of mine have been surprised to learn just how high Cusco is, and the elevation can even hamper travel for some so be sure to check with your doctor about traveling at such a high elevation.

Visiting Machu Picchu in the best way depends on your individual travel style and interests. Our team at AdventureSmith Explorations can help you do just that with all your needs in mind.

Testimonials

The Best Way to See Machu Picchu, in Our Travelers' Words

Deborah F. - San Francisco, CA

"Beyond What We Could Have Imagined"

Overall

4 /5

Accommodations

5 /5

Meals

5 /5

Ann L. - Carnelian Bay, CA

"Fascinating, Both Geographically & Culturally"

Quito was fascinating, both geographically and culturally as was Peru. All of our hotels were excellent. I am just so impressed with how much work you all put in to making these trips special.

Overall

5 /5

Accommodations

5 /5

Meals

5 /5

Hailey C. - Chicago, IL

"Better Than Imagined & Dreamed"

Better than imagined and dreamed. The knowledge of our guide Leo and the organization and planning that went into the trip was excellent. Trip of a lifetime that we will always remember and share.

Overall

5 /5

Accommodations

5 /5

Meals

5 /5

Dianne R. - Toronto, Canada

"Truly One of the Best Trips We've Ever Taken"

We felt like it was designed to accommodate participants' varied abilities and levels of fitness. It truly was one of the best trips we've ever taken. Lodges were spectacular, food was amazing and our guide was not only well qualified and knowledgeable, but also wonderful company for the entire week.

Overall

5 /5

Accommodations

5 /5

Meals

5 /5

Chris S. - Elk River, MN

"It Was a Wonderful Trip!"

It was a wonderful trip! We had good accommodations in Cuzco and the lodges were fantastic! As difficult as some of the treks were for me, I really enjoyed the variety of places where we trekked and the information (history, nature, etc.) I learned along the way. This trip was put together well.

Overall

5 /5

Accommodations

5 /5

Meals

5 /5

Anne W. - Balwyn, Australia

"This Was My Best Holiday Ever"

This was my best holiday ever, I loved it and it was made so easy by Andrew and AdventureSmith because I didn't have to worry about finding accommodation or transfers from airports etc, it was sooooooooooo relaxing for me. All the accommodation was first class and the food was amazing.

Overall

5 /5

Accommodations

5 /5

Meals

5 /5

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Deborah F. - San Francisco, CA

"Beyond What We Could Have Imagined"

Overall

4 /5

Accommodations

5 /5

Meals

5 /5

We were very well taken care of, including transfers and other logistics. This was our first time travelling with a private guide, and we really appreciated the individual attention and being able to take our time in the places we were most fascinated by. Machu Picchu is as extraordinary as everyone says, and it is really beyond what we could have imagined. Visiting Machu Picchu was the primary reason for this trip, and it met and exceeded our expectations. Beyond that, we particularly appreciated the Sacred Valley and the chance to develop a sense of how people have lived there over many centuries. The salt pans at Maras are amazing, and it was wonderful to have time to stroll there and watch people working.

Accommodations Review

It seemed petty that the Costa del Sol in Cusco didn't offer complimentary bottled water, as all the other hotels did. The mini-bar charge looked outrageous, so we found our way to local stores to buy water for ourselves. Otherwise, we were excellently cared for there and at every other hotel.

Meals Review

We especially appreciated the ample and varied breakfast buffets. I am adding olives to my breakfasts back home!

Crew & Guides Review

We were very grateful to be met at the Cuzco airport with water and transportation and then brought in to the hotel to be seated and given coca tea. It made the transition to the altitude easier. After a nap, we were up for a (slow) walk around, and by morning we were ready to explore. Percy is an enthusiastic and delightful guide whose love of the area and of his Quechua background were a great contribution to our trip. We did feel that sometimes the information he gave us went beyond his actual knowledge. We found our driver, Javier, to be helpful and charming - as well as giving us a demonstration of the skills required to drive in Cusco!

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

We felt very well taken care of, and this was the right combination for us of having people with local knowledge arrange things and having choices and some autonomy on the trip. We'll likely be back to AdventureSmith for future trips, and we'll definitely recommend you to other people.

Traveler Advice

Do your homework about the hiking and allow as much time as you can to enjoy and explore. I do wish we had been a little better prepared for the Huayna Picchu hike. That's partly our fault for not doing our research, but a little more information would have helped. As it was, we almost didn't do it, because I had been intimidated by the sight of it on our first day. We did go ahead, and Dave completed the circuit. I got to the terrace just before the one-way section, which was a major accomplishment. Then getting down was difficult, just because of the total amount of activity and how hard the stairs down were for my knees. We were the last people off the trail that day, and I required some help from some of the crew who were leaving the mountain themselves. It's still one of our best memories, and a great story to tell, so I'm glad we did it.

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Ann L. - Carnelian Bay, CA

"Fascinating, Both Geographically & Culturally"

Overall

5 /5

Accommodations

5 /5

Meals

5 /5

We most enjoyed Cusco. Sol y Luna hotel in the Sacred Valley-a real treat and so beautiful! The Inkaterra was very special as well in Aguas Caliente. Quito was fascinating, both geographically and culturally as was Peru. Always wanted to go to these places and it was our 40th anniversary!

Accommodations Review

All of our hotels were excellent. I would suggest staying two nights at least in both Cusco and Quito because you need a rest day in both places.

Crew & Guides Review

Yashira in Cusco was especially wonderful.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Aaron did the best job; his planning was so good. I have and will keep recommending him to others taking trips and will be back for our next adventure. All of my questions and concerns were answered so efficiently and in a timely manner. I am just so impressed with how much work you all put in to making these trips special. I was so used to doing it myself on line, etc. but now I won't.

The timeline, locations, hotels and other recommendations worked out beautifully. Metropolitan Travel in South America is such a good company. Their drivers and especially their tour guides do an amazing job explaining the culture and history of their countries. We could not have been happier!

Traveler Advice

Just to make sure you have a few nights at least in the major cities so you are not always just flying in and out...we needed some "down" time but did find it on the Santa Cruz where all of our luggage was in one place for a while!

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Hailey C. - Chicago, IL

"Better Than Imagined & Dreamed"

Overall

5 /5

Accommodations

5 /5

Meals

5 /5

Better than imagined and dreamed. The knowledge of our guide Leo and the organization and planning that went into the trip was excellent. Hotels and amenities were top of the line. Machu Picchu was breathtaking! I am glad we experienced it at the end of our trip - like the cherry on top! What a sacred place and a once in a lifetime opportunity. I could never explain to someone the magic and beauty of MaPi.

We were a family of 11 - happy to all be together and learn about a wonderful country! Trip of a lifetime that we will always remember and share.

Accommodations Review

All of our stays were hospitable and beautiful!

Meals Review

I cannot believe how good we ate! Loved the quinoa soups, chicken, and pisco sours!!

Crew & Guides Review

Leo was incredible! So passionate and knowledgeable - we could really feel his love and passion for his country and people. He was patient, funny, kind, honest, professional and personable. We all felt a connection with him we wish we could bring him to the U.S. and give him a tour in return. We cannot thank him enough - honestly.

Transportation was amazing! When we arrived anywhere they were there waiting for us. We never sat around or had to worry about how to get from place to place. The best part was we never felt like we wasted anytime. We were always on the move from one adventure to the next!

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Andrew was key to making this wonderful and well-planned trip come together flawlessly. Thank you for all the planning and translating too! A trip not ever to be forgotten!

We were told to bring U.S. dollars that are in best condition, but I did not expect Peru to be so strict! Not a single rip or tear was accepted. We should have brought way more cash because most of our bills were not accepted anywhere. Not a big complaint but kind of a hassle.

Traveler Advice

Bring extra cash - most bills will not be accepted in Peru unless they are absolutely flawless. Take it easy the first day or two in Cusco because of the altitude and do not drink the water!

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Dianne R. - Toronto, Canada

"Truly One of the Best Trips We've Ever Taken"

Overall

5 /5

Accommodations

5 /5

Meals

5 /5

This was a challenging trek but every day was unique. It was well paced, in terms of allowing participants time to acclimatize before the hardest hikes, but with time to relax and recover also built in. We felt like it was designed to accommodate participants' varied abilities and levels of fitness. It truly was one of the best trips we've ever taken. Lodges were spectacular, food was amazing and our guide was not only well qualified and knowledgeable, but also wonderful company for the entire week. The first lodge was especially memorable because of its views of the Salkantay mountains. Every day's hike was enjoyable and varied. No complaints whatsoever.

Accommodations Review

Hard to believe that these lodges could be built in the middle of the wilderness and yet be so well equipped for our needs. Loved relaxing in the hot tub after a long day of hiking.

Meals Review

Delicious meals with a good variety of fish, meat, etc. throughout the trek. People aren't lying when they say it's possible to gain weight on this trip, despite the high level of activity. Three-course meals at lunch and dinner are the reason! But we loved every bite. Our lunch in a tent after completing our 15,000 foot summit on day three was particularly noteworthy because none of us could believe we were eating pears poached in warm red wine in the middle of nowhere!

Crew & Guides Review

I truly cannot say enough about Liz, our tour guide and leader, who made our experience all the more meaningful and memorable. She was able to deal with any and every situation that arose--from a very serious medical emergency for one of our participants to a pair of missing hiking boots that had been taken by a previous tour group, she was professional, calm, knowledgeable, funny, warm and competent. It was true peace of mind for me to know that she is a trained wilderness paramedic, in case anything went wrong for my family, but also that she was empathetic to our individual quirks, such as fear of heights. She showed her confidence in us and I was able to do things I never would have thought possible. Mountain Lodges of Peru should know how great a representative she was of their company. We are so happy she was our guide!

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Tiffany was outstanding! She is detailed oriented, thorough, concerned and well organized. I always felt that we were in good hands during the prep stage of the trip, and she was helpful and empathetic when our flights were delayed. She responded quickly to any questions or concerns and I wouldn't hesitate to use her again for future trips or to recommend her to family and friends. She's a true professional.

Traveler Advice

Make sure you are fit and active! Lots of challenging ascents and descents but every one was worth the effort. Huge sense of personal accomplishment to complete each and every day.

Feel free to use my email address if someone wants to speak with a previous traveller. I personally found it useful to speak with the owner of your company for his feedback before I booked our trip. His comments were reassuring and insightful.

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Chris S. - Elk River, MN

"It Was a Wonderful Trip!"

Overall

5 /5

Accommodations

5 /5

Meals

5 /5

Accommodations Review

Even after looking at the lodges on your website, I was not prepared for how comfortable and accommodating each of the lodges was. From the moment we arrived at each lodge to when we left, our comfort was important to our hosts. I really liked the hot water bottles in my bed at night.

Meals Review

The food was fantastic! I enjoyed the opportunity to try the different foods.

Crew & Guides Review

I really appreciated the time Pepe and Jimmy took with me in helping me to improve my trekking techniques. I was usually the last one in the group, but both guides were always encouraging. Both guides seemed to really enjoy what they were doing as well as sharing their knowledge of Peru and its history.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Once we booked the trip, Aaron sent us what we needed to start getting ready. He also quickly answered any questions we had. The only thing I wish that would have been addressed in our final email was what to expect with customs and our baggage in Lima. Otherwise, I had what I needed. We had everything we needed to make it a successful trip. We knew we could call or email with our questions.

Traveler Advice

Challenge yourself and be open to these wonderful experiences.

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Anne W. - Balwyn, Australia

"This Was My Best Holiday Ever"

Overall

5 /5

Accommodations

5 /5

Meals

5 /5

Note that this review also includes comments on the traveler's post-trip Origin & Theory Galapagos Cruise with AdventureSmith Explorations.

Accommodations Review

We loved the Mountain Lodges Salkantay Hike. The Salkantay Mountain Lodges were fantastic, only one thing would really help would be some form of drying room or oil heaters to dry wet clothing.

Meals Review

I was hoping to take some weight off, but that wasn't going to happen with 3 course meals everywhere we went. The meals were amazing and having a 3 course lunch made for us up in the mountains was awesome.

Crew & Guides Review

Antonio, Ricardo and David from Mountain Lodges were fantastic, knowledgeable, interesting, friendly and funny. Guide at Machu Picchu was terrible, talked at us for hours not giving us enough time to actually look around the area and most of what he told us seemed to just be his interpretation of what may have happened.

Peter and Desirae Guides at the Galapagos were wonderfully knowledgeable and friendly people, we really liked them we just found that they lectured for too long, 1km walks taking 3 hours with most of it being lectures. Just a little too much information.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Very impressed with Andrew Browning's expertise and co-ordination of our trip, I changed my mind on what we wanted to do on numerous occasions and he effortlessly (well that is how he made it seem to me) gave me new itineraries, with prices and times etc. The Galapagos wild life was my original destination and since we were going to be in the area and its a long way to come from Australia we tacked Machu Picchu on and are very glad we did. Thank you, Andrew.

Traveler Advice

- Make sure to take insect repellent and if you have issues with bites, some antihistamines.

- Possibly go to Cusco and couple of days early to acclimatise and make sure you read the dosage of the altitude medication properly.

- Take aspirin as pain reliever in high altitudes because it thins the blood.

- No need to take shampoo, conditioner or body wash as all the lodges and the ships provide it.