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Forecasts before traveling to Machu Picchu
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What you should know before traveling to Machu Picchu

Cusco, Peru is one of the best destinations in the world. Machu Picchu, its main tourist attraction, receives more than 1 million tourists a year. Before traveling there, know that tickets are limited and must be booked online in advance.



Tourist observing the Inca City of Machu Picchu
Tourist observing the Inca City of Machu Picchu

Choose the date you will visit Machu Picchu

  • There are only 2 stations in Machu Picchu: the rainy season (from November to March) where there are more chances of precipitation and the dry season (from April to October) where there is little rain.
  • Choose the season in which you want to enter Machu Picchu. While coming in the dry season gives you amazing sunny days, coming in the rainy season also has its own.
  • Decide well the day you enter Machu Picchu. Inquire on the internet if there are strikes or weather problems that may interfere with the development of the trip.

Buy your Machu Picchu tickets

  • Book your Machu Picchu tickets in advance. The purchase is made online. It is recommended to do it 2 or 3 weeks before.
  • If you are looking to buy a Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu ticket, book your ticket online 2 or 3 months in advance.
  • You can make your purchase on the official website of the Ministry of Culture of Peru. Also through the web pages of the authorized tourism agencies.

Buy your train tickets

  • If you plan to get to Machu Picchu by train from Cusco, remember to buy your tickets online and in advance.
  • Buy your train tickets immediately after knowing the date you will visit the Inca City of Machu Picchu.
  • There are only 2 companies: Peru Rail and Inca Rail. Choose the train service that best suits you.

Make sure the documents are valid

  • Your passport or identity document must be valid at the time of entry. Otherwise, they will not let you enter the Inca Shrine.
  • If you bought your Machu Picchu entrance with a discount for university students, check that your student card is updated.
  • Remember that you will not need a visa if you stay in Peru less than 90 days.

Check prices and discounts in Machu Picchu

  • There are special discounts to acquire your Machu Picchu ticket: for minors (from 3 to 17 years old) as well as for undergraduate students (undergraduates, under 25 years old and who have a valid university card).
  • The citizens of the Andean Community of Nations (Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Colombia). They must buy their ticket with their passport, identity card or immigration card.
  • Children under 3 years old do not pay entrance fee. They must enter showing an identity document that validates their age.

Take some time to learn some Spanish

  • In Peru, Spanish is spoken. Although in most tourist places you will meet bilingual people, learning some words in Spanish is not difficult.
  • If you are a lover of languages, you may also want to learn something Quechua, the language of the Incas that is still valid in the Andes.

Get someone to take care of your pets

  • In Machu Picchu is not allowed to enter with pets so it is recommended that you leave them at home in someone’s care.
  • If you decide to bring them to Peru, know that they must have sanitary authorizations from their country of origin.
  • In Cusco and Aguas Calientes there are hotels that allow pets in their facilities. There are also nurseries where you can leave them while you visit Machu Picchu.

Bring with you these objects

Machu Picchu varies between heat and cold. Its climate is subtropical, typical of jungle places. Do not forget to bring the following objects:

  • Raincoat
  • Waterproof clothing.
  • Hat or hat
  • Sunscreen.
  • Sunglasses.
  • Insect repellent.
  • Hiking shoes or some comfortable shoes for walking.
  • Photographic camera.
  • Money (in card or cash).

Choose the best way to get to Machu Picchu

There are 3 possible ways to get to Machu Picchu. Train travel is the fastest and safest option. It is also the alternative that most visitors prefer. You only need to purchase your tickets weeks in advance.

If you choose the Inca Trail, buy your tour online 4 or 5 months in advance. If you come by the long Hidroeléctrica route, you can make the trip without tickets and on your own.

  • Inca Trail – One of the most amazing hiking trails on the planet. There are 4 days of walking along ancient paths built by the Incas. The last day you arrive at Machu Picchu.
  • By train – One of the most incredible train routes. The classic route starts in the town of Ollantaytambo. Cross the Sacred Valley of the Incas on a journey of almost 2 hours to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town).
  • Hidroeléctrica long route – An alternative route. Mix the bus trip, short walks and amazing landscapes of the Sacred Valley to finally reach Machu Picchu from the Hidroeléctrica station.

Choose to walk or take a bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu

After arriving in Aguas Calientes, you can choose to climb the hill that leads to Machu Picchu by bus or on foot. This last option is free.

  • Arrive walking – The path is composed of rustic paths and stone stairways. It travels approximately 9 kilometers on uphill roads. The journey may take more than 1 hour depending on the physical condition of the visitors.
  • Arrive by bus The buses start to climb towards Machu Picchu from 5.30 am The journey is about 30 minutes maximum. Walk the Hiram Bingham road. It is recommended for people who come with children and the elderly. Likewise, it is a good option for tourists who visit the mountain Huayna Picchu.

Take advantage of your visit to Machu Picchu

  • Hiram Bingham discovered Machu Picchu in 1911. However, there are still many mysteries about the origin of the Inca City.
  • Machu Picchu offers many adventures such as hiking trails to the top of Huayna Picchu or the 4-day hike along the Inca Trail. You can also choose to walk the trails of the new mountain Machu Picchu.
  • Machu Picchu has hundreds of constructions made by the Incas hundreds of years ago. Most were made using huge stones that fit perfectly. How they did it? The Wonder of the World does not yet reveal all its mysteries.

Choose one of the schedules of each entrance to Machu Picchu

In total there are 4 different types of entrances to Machu Picchu. All include a visit to the Inca City. When buying your ticket, choose between one of the different entry times:

Machu Picchu Only:

  • First schedule: entry from 6 in the morning.
  • Second schedule: entry from 7 in the morning.
  • Third schedule: entry from 8 in the morning.
  • Fourth hours: entry from 9 in the morning.
  • Fifth schedule: entry from 10 in the morning.
  • Sixth schedule: entry from 11 in the morning.
  • Seventh schedule: entry from noon.
  • Eighth schedule: entry from 1 in the afternoon.
  • Ninth time: entry from 2 in the afternoon.

Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu

  • First schedule: entrance to Machu Picchu from 6 in the morning / entrance to Huayna Picchu from 7 am to 8 am
  • Second schedule: entrance to Machu Picchu from 7 in the morning / entrance to Huayna Picchu from 8 am to 9 am
  • Third schedule: entrance to Machu Picchu from 8 in the morning / entrance to Huayna Picchu from 9 am to 10 am
  • Fourth schedule: entrance to Machu Picchu from 9 in the morning / entrance to Huayna Picchu from 10 am to 11 am

Machu Picchu + Mountain:

  • First schedule: entrance to Machu Picchu from 6 in the morning / entrance to the Mountain from 7 am to 8 am
  • Second schedule: entrance to Machu Picchu from 7 in the morning / entrance to the Mountain from 8 am to 9 am

Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu:

  • First schedule: entrance to Machupicchu from 6 in the morning / entrance to Huchuy Picchu from 7 am to 8 am
  • Second schedule: entrance to Machupicchu from 7 in the morning / entrance to Huchuy Picchu from 8 am to 9 am
  • Third schedule: entrance to Machupicchu from 8 in the morning / entrance to Huchuy Picchu from 9 am to 10 am
  • Fourth schedule: entrance to Machupicchu from 9 in the morning / entrance to Huchuy Picchu from 10 am to 11 am
  • Fifth schedule: entrance to Machupicchu from 10 in the morning / entrance to Huchuy Picchu from 11 am to 12 pm
  • Sixth schedule: entrance to Machupicchu from 11 in the morning / entrance to Huchuy Picchu from 12 pm to 1 pm
  • Seventh schedule: entrance to Machupicchu from noon / entrance to Huchuy Picchu from 1 pm to 2 pm
  • Eighth schedule: entrance to Machupicchu from 1 in the afternoon / entrance to Huchuy Picchu from 2 pm to 3 pm

Book your entrance Machu Picchu in advance

If you want to travel to Machu Picchu without a tour, remember that the most important thing is to buy your ticket in advance. The purchase is made online with these estimated terms:

Machu Picchu Only:

  • If you buy between April and August: 4 weeks in advance.
  • If you buy on another date: 1 week in advance.

Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu:

  • If you buy between April and August: 3 months in advance.
  • If you buy on another date: 2 months in advance.

Machu Picchu + Mountain:

  • If you buy between April and August: 4 weeks in advance.
  • If you buy on another date: 1 week in advance.

Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu:

  • If you buy between April and August: 4 weeks in advance.
  • If you buy on another date: 1 week in advance.

 

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, February 15, 2022