The traditional citadel of Machu Picchu, which is hidden excessive up within the Peruvian Andes, attracts with a way of thriller and majesty. It’s a location that has captured vacationers’ consideration for a few years, and its historic worth can’t be ignored.
Nevertheless, there are particular issues you have to be conscious of earlier than getting into the sacred grounds of Machu Picchu. Subsequently, we’re right here to offer you the ten issues to know earlier than visiting Machu Picchu, so you might have an unforgettable go to.
Be sure additionally to take a look at our complete guide to visiting Machu Picchu.
Let’s get began! Right here is an summary:
Issues to know earlier than visiting Machu Picchu
1. Have your entire journey paperwork at hand
You might want to have all of the practice, bus, and entry tickets at hand when doing all of your Machu Picchu tour. It’s positive if in case you have them as digital tickets in your cellphone. Scroll right down to the underside for extra tour info.
To be on the secure aspect, it’s clever to print them out in case you expertise web points or run out of battery. In case you didn’t print the tickets at house, don’t panic; your lodge in Cusco or Aguas Calientes will assist you to.
This additionally applies to your passport. On your go to to Machu Picchu, all the time deliver your authentic passport with you.
2. Take the shuttle bus as an alternative of mountain climbing
You’ve two choices for attending to Machu Picchu’s entrance from Aguas Calientes: mountain climbing or utilizing a shuttle bus.
The hike lasts about 90 minutes and isn’t notably spectacular as a result of there aren’t any superb sights alongside the way in which. Provided that the path twists steeply into the jungle, it’s a relatively difficult trek. By the point you get to the entry, you’ll in all probability be drenched in sweat.
That’s why we advise taking the 25-minute bus trip. You might want to buy the tickets upfront, every approach being $12.
In case you’re a eager hiker, try our information to hiking the Inca Trail Trail to Machu Picchu.
3. Pack good for Machu Picchu
Your backpack must have a particular dimension if you happen to go to Machu Picchu. You received’t get entry to the ruins whether it is bigger than 15.7 inches by 13.7 inches by 7.9 inches (40 cm x 35 cm x 20 cm), and you’ll need to retailer it in a locker.
In your backpack, you’ll be able to solely put a digicam, a cellphone, a small water bottle (ideally one that may be reused), sunscreen, insect repellent, and so on. Meals, nonetheless, is forbidden. Due to this, we strongly advise you to eat a filling breakfast and/or deliver snacks with you on the journey to Machu Picchu.
Moreover, you aren’t allowed to deliver tripods, drones or selfie sticks with you. Generally the guards are very strict, generally they aren’t and don’t even test your backpack. Nevertheless, you have to be ready for the previous and comply with the foundations.
Additionally, carrying acceptable clothes is vital as a result of the Andes’ local weather is liable to surprising shifts. We advise carrying sturdy footwear, multifunctional clothes, rain ponchos, hats or caps, and zip-off shirts and pants. We advise testing Merino Wool clothing for any out of doors adventures.
4. Watch out for the mounted routes
You will need to keep on with a set path your entire time you’re on the guided tour. This implies you’ll be able to solely go in a single route.
Returning to one of many beforehand seen places will not be attainable!
The aim of this rule is to enhance the group of the Machu Picchu excursions. Within the common excursions, you’ll go to Circuit 1, which lasts about 2.5 hours and explores each the excessive and decrease areas of Machu Picchu. This circuit lets you seize the well-known postcard picture of Machu Picchu.
5. Keep away from getting your passport stamped
You will have seen different vacationers who had a Machu Picchu stamp added to their passports on Fb or Instagram. Regardless of how thrilling and memorable this sounds, we are able to solely strongly warn you from doing it.
You could now be questioning, “Why?” It’s as a result of this stamp will not be an official passport stamp. There have been varied vacationers who had difficulties getting into different nations, as this stamp invalidated their passport.
We suggest you deliver a postcard, a be aware block or a T-shirt if you happen to actually need the Machu Picchu stamp. However don’t get your passport stamped.
6. Buy your tickets early
Basically, the sooner you e book your tickets, the higher. This fashion, you’ll be able to select your most popular entrance time to Machu Picchu.
In case you plan to go to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, reserving early is much more vital. But, what does “early” truly imply?
As there are solely 400 guests allowed per day through the excessive season of Might by October, you must reserve your tickets to Huayna Picchu at the least two to a few months upfront. For Machu Picchu Mountain, reserving just a few weeks earlier than is normally positive.
You’ll get pleasure from a wide ranging view of the Machu Picchu ruins and the environment from each summits.
7. Use the lavatory earlier than getting into
As there are not any bogs contained in the archaeological complicated of Machu Picchu, we urge you to make use of them earlier than getting into particularly as you’re unable to go away and re-enter Machu Picchu after you move the doorway.
In different phrases, except you might have bought a second admittance ticket, there isn’t a approach again in as soon as you’re outdoors.
Our recommendation: deliver some tissues with you as a result of many bogs in Peru don’t have rest room paper. The utilization of the restroom typically prices S/1 ($0.30).
8. Discover the Sacred Valley earlier than visiting Machu Picchu
As Cusco is within the Andes at a top of over 11,000 toes, it’s essential you acclimate your self to avoid altitude sickness in Peru. Â
Earlier than touring to any high-altitude websites after arriving in Cusco, it’s best to first discover the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, as they’re much less elevated. This permits your physique to regularly regulate to the altitude.
Aside from getting used to the altitude, one other benefit of doing the Sacred Valley tour earlier than visiting Machu Picchu is that it’ll assist you to perceive the Incas’ historical past and put it in chronological order.
This particular and complete tour of the Sacred Valley permits guests to expertise native life, architectural wonders, Inca historical past and exquisite pure landscapes earlier than heading to Machu Picchu. The tour consists of visits to Chinchero, Maras, Moray and Ollantaytambo and lasts 12 hours. The tour is designed to present guests an genuine expertise of life within the Peruvian Andes.
Book your Sacred Valley experience directly with the tour operator here.
9. Select the “finest” practice possibility
There isn’t a practice that stops instantly at Machu Picchu. The final cease is Aguas Calientes. From there you’ll be able to both take the bus, which takes about 20 minutes to the doorway and needs to be paid for, or you’ll be able to hike for about 1.5 hours.
Peru Rail and Inca Rail are the one practice corporations that supply journeys to Aguas Calientes. Now we have examined each and like PeruRail due to their seemingly newer practice and included snack service. Our trip on Inca Rail was so bumpy that we have been afraid our espresso would fly by the practice. Usually the worth distinction between the 2 trains may be very small and might enhance barely through the excessive season.
You possibly can’t management your selection of seat. Nevertheless, in case you are touring as a pair, it’s virtually all the time attainable to get seats subsequent to one another by arranging them accordingly, and the practice employees will assist with this even when no prior seat association has been made”.
Going to Machu Picchu by practice leaves you with three totally different practice choices. Let’s check out them.
Expedition practice – the usual practice
The massive home windows of the PeruRail Expedition practice assist you to admire the breathtaking surroundings as you journey to Machu Picchu.
The practice is supplied with snug seats, tables, air con, heating and bogs.
You should use the PeruRail Expedition Prepare for one-way or spherical journeys between Cusco and Machu Picchu. It’s also attainable to board the practice within the Sacred Valley. The practice departs from Poroy (Cusco), Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu.
Through the journey you should have the chance to purchase meals and drinks.
Vistadome practice – barely extra snug, panorama home windows and on-board leisure
The Vistadome trains provide a novel and particular solution to journey to Machu Picchu.
That is the extra luxurious possibility, the place you’ll be able to sit in automobiles with panoramic home windows on the edges and ceiling and benefit from the surroundings from the consolation of leather-based seats. On board additionally, you will be provided a snack with regional merchandise from the Andes.
On the way in which again, you’ll be able to even get pleasure from a style present in your carriage the place genuine alpaca child wool clothes are introduced, together with unique alpaca clothes tendencies on the market.
On the way in which to the Inca citadel, the Vistadome provides breathtaking views of landscapes and pure phenomena, creating a real connection between you and your environment.
Benefit from the stunning path to Machu Picchu and indulge within the flavors of the Andes.
Hiram Bingham practice – luxurious practice with on-board meals, open bar and extra
Have you ever ever dreamed of touring by the Peruvian Andes in a practice that resembles a 1920’s Pullman automotive? The Hiram Bingham Prepare not solely makes it attainable, it makes this magical journey an unforgettable expertise with personalised service that takes care of each element of your journey.
The costliest of the three practice choices is the Belmond Hiram Bingham Prepare, named after the discoverer of Machu Picchu – Hiram Bingham. This luxurious practice journey is likely one of the most luxurious practice experiences in Peru.
The unique Belmond Hiram Bingham Prepare options a sublime eating space and bar, and the open roof of the practice automotive provides distinctive views of the breathtaking surroundings.
Start your expertise with a welcome cocktail. As soon as on board, you’ll be handled to a gourmand lunch by the maître d’. A scrumptious dinner can also be included on the return journey. In each instances, it is possible for you to to accompany your meals with non-alcoholic drinks and a very good collection of wines.
The carriages have been specifically designed within the model of 1920’s Pullman automobiles and are furnished with gleaming picket furnishings and huge snug armchairs.
Conventional Peruvian and worldwide music is performed stay all through the journey – to the rhythm of Peruvian cajóns and tambourines – giving this tour to the citadel of Machu Picchu an unforgettable environment.
In case you plan on a “common” journey to Machu Picchu, we recommend taking the Expedition practice to go to Aguas Calientes and the Vistadome as your return practice.Â
Greater than that, we suggest taking the practice to Machu Picchu from Ollantaytambo after your Sacred Valley tour, staying the night time in Aguas Calientes and taking the practice again on the subsequent day. This lets you have a extra relaxed expertise. Extra about this beneath.
10. Spend the night time in Aguas Calientes
Why must you keep the night in Aguas Calientes? That is undoubtedly the best choice if you wish to go to the Machu Picchu ruins at dawn earlier than the crowds arrive.
The early morning Machu Picchu day journeys ranging from Cusco start at 2.30 a.m. For the reason that first practice from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes departs at 5:05 a.m., Machu Picchu can’t be seen till 7:30 or 8 a.m.
Spending the night time in Aguas Calientes lets you sleep in somewhat longer and enter Machu Picchu at 6 am, earlier than the crowds.
The day journey from Cusco or Aguas Calientes are each glorious decisions. Nevertheless, you must keep in Aguas Calientes if you wish to expertise Machu Picchu with out the crowds.
Non-public 1 day Machu Picchu practice tour
A day journey to Machu Picchu is commonly hailed as probably the most breathtaking expertise in Peru. This particular tour eliminates the same old journey complications of late pick-ups, overcrowded teams and disinterested guides reciting rehearsed strains.
Relaxation assured that your time exploring Peru might be flawless with this rigorously curated tour. You’ll uncover picturesque places superb for capturing unforgettable moments by the lens of your digicam.
Get able to journey again in time with our enthusiastic information who will regale you with charming tales of Machu Picchu’s wealthy historical past. Their ardour will transport you to a different period and make this a rare encounter.
Price: from USD 369 per person
Select from all three practice choices, talked about above.
Begin in Cusco and select if you wish to keep in a single day in Aguas Calientes or not
This tour consists of:
- Return practice tickets
- Non-public guided tour of Machu Picchu with a educated English-speaking information
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
- Entrance price to Huayna or Machu Picchu mountain (if chosen)
- Shuttle bus Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
- Resort decide up or drop off in Cusco or the Sacred Valley
Take pleasure in a spectacular time at Machu Picchu
As you’ll be able to see, there are some things to concentrate on earlier than touring to Peru’s Machu Picchu. Reserving the tour with sufficient time upfront is likely one of the most important issues to recollect. Staying in Aguas Calientes earlier than your tour is one other key level.
With the earlier suggestions, we hope that we have been in a position to put together you to your unforgettable journey to Machu Picchu.
Whilst you’re planning your Peru itinerary, try these other places to visit besides Machu Picchu!
