Tips to get best Machu Picchu experience

When to go to Machu Picchu?

Machu Picchu is a popular destination all year around. However, most people go there during dry season to assure the good weather. It is between May and October. The time around Christmas is also very popular.

I would advise you to stay there the whole day, since the weather is changeable. Early in the morning it is usually foggy and the skies start clearing up around 10-11 (in my case). It is very interesting to see the city both in a good weather and hidden in clouds. Don’t you think so?

Favourite travel resources:

Booking.com for searching best prices on accommodation.
Discover Cars is a great website as they search both local and international car hire services, so you can choose the best deal for yourself. Make sure though, that the company has a good reputation and reviews.
Get Your Guide is my place to go for searching and booking tours and excursions, especially when I travel solo.
World Nomads travel insurance. I like them because they have quite extensive coverage of different activities.
Jack’s Flight Club is a service that can save you hundreds of dollars on flights, it works especially well in Europe.
Trivago where you can search and save on hotels.
Go City is a perfect site for booking bucket list experiences and attractions all in one to avoid paying for multiple tickets. Easy and saves money.
Trip Advisor– amazing for good quality recommendations.
Skyscanner is a perfect website for searching flight routes and comparing prices.

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How much does it cost to get to Machu Picchu?

A trip to Machu Picchu is not cheap. It is one of the things you do once in your life (or many more time if you wish ;-)) and it is definitely worth paying for it. The entrance cost between $60 and $70, depending if you want additional entrances to Huayna Picchu, for example. If you come from Cuzco you can travel with Perurail and pay between $59 and $397 each way. Traveling from Ollantaytambo is more or less half the price.

If you prefer, you can join the Inca Trail Trekking group. There two options, one of them takes 4 days and another 3 days and you need to sign up way in advance as there are limited places. There are allowed only 500 people a day to do the trek (including all the guides and staff), however there are alternative Inca routes than the typical ones. Classic 4-day trip costs $460-$500. Always use a trusted provider to avoid any disappointments, for example Viator or GetYourGuide, which has usually great opinions, lots of options and discounts.

How to avoid crowds?

If you want to avoid the crowds, go outside the peak season. If you consider the time of the day, some people think that the earliest you arrive there, the better. At 6am is not that crowded, but the site gets totally deserted towards the closing time, between 4-5pm. Many people arrive there from Cusco, therefore only those staying in Aquas Calientes are able to arrive to the lost city very early and avoid the busy hours.

Book your accommodation in Aquas Calientes to beat the crowds and be first in Machu Picchu. This is one of the best things we did.

Don’t forget the stamp

I forgot! And it makes me sad, so I would like you to have this wonderful souvenir. You will need your passport to enter the site (you won’t be let in without it) and when you leave, you can get a stamp in your passport, like the one you get while crossing borders. The place is located on the right hand side at the exit gate.

See also:

My way to Machu Picchu

The guarded city of Arequipa: a quick guide

Potatoes, coca and baby alpacas: the beauty of Cuzco.

Getting high? 8 tips how to survive high altitude sickness

Food and drink

It says that food and drink is not allowed inside the ruins. No one checked our bags, although the staff letting people in was advising not to consume anything inside and a few tourists that were eating were informed by guards not to. Therefore, it would be wise to have a good breakfast.

Huayna Picchu

Only 400 people are allowed to hike Huayna and the entrances are usually sold out weeks, or even moths, in advance. This hike is for fit people as it is very steep. The total walk lasts around 2,5 hours.

Hike or bus

From the town below Machu Picchu you can either hike or take a bus ($12 each way if I remember right). The hike is not the easiest and it takes around 2 hours or more. I think it is worth it. I absolutely loved the view and the magic the clouds were revealing.

Best photo locations

There is a Guard’s House on the highest peak inside the city from where you can get some amazing shots. There is so much to see though and if you explore enough you will find places that will give you great perspectives of the ruins. Time of the day is also important if you want to get shots without people in the sight. You can also hike Huayna or Machu Picchu mountain to get different views.

Where to sleep?

You can either stay overnight in Cusco and catch the first train to Aguas Calientes (if you plan the visit the same day) or stay at the feet of Machu Picchu overnight and get up early to start the hike. If you want to have the site almost totally to yourself, you will need to stay there until the closing time at 5pm. If you chose this option, you will most probably need to stay overnight in Aguas Calientes.

Book your accommodation here.

Cope with altitude

Machu Picchu is located 2430 meters above sea level. I usually start feeling unwell above 4000 meters, but some people are affected by this altitude. You can read here how to avoid altitude sickness. You will be more likely affected in Cusco or Sacred Valley though.

Toilets

Toilets are located outside of the city, so you will need to get out and then wait in the line to enter again. The site is really really big, so it is best to use the restrooms before entering the site and wait until you are ready to leave (of course if possible), because you will waste a lot of time.

Visit the museum

There is a great museum in the site nobody seems to be visiting. Depending what you are most interested in. For me just being in the city, admiring the wonderful view, walking around is enough.

Avoid mosquito bites

Humidity and hot weather attracts mosquitos and other bugs. Machu Picchu is located at the border of rain forest and gets these nasty visitors. Use plenty repellent as well as a hat and sunscreen. The sun gets really strong there once the clouds disappear.

And…enjoy the view!

Thank you for stopping by. Do you any tips for those who want to visit Machu Picchu? Please share it with us.

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