Machu Picchu is the tourist destination that everyone wants to visit. It is one of the most photographed attractions in the world. The reviews are always positive, considered an unforgettable experience. It is located in the heart of the Andes Mountains in the department of Cusco – Peru. However, if you want to travel there, you must first make important decisions, such as choosing whether you will visit with an all-inclusive tour or on your own by purchasing each ticket separately. Learn more!

• Should I go to Machu Picchu with a tour or on my own?
• Which travel agency to choose?
• Which ticket to Machu Picchu to choose?
• Which route to choose to get to Machu Picchu?
• Go on a luxury trip or a standard trip?
• How long to stay in Cusco?
• Where to stay?
• How many days to stay in Machu Picchu?
• How to plan your visit to Machu Picchu?
• How to improve your experience visiting other Inca sites in Cusco?

Tourists taking photos at Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu, One of the Best Destinations in the World
If you are one of those people who want to visit the best places in the world and if you haven’t already, at some point you will make the decision to visit Machu Picchu. This famous destination is featured as a must-see on the best travel websites and publications in the world. If you have been there, you can surely attest to the awe and wonder that can come from standing in Machu Picchu. The journey and the experiences you can have in this 15th century city is something that your mind will treasure for the rest of your life.

Should I go to Machu Picchu with a tour or on my own?

• The first decision when visiting Machu Picchu is whether to go on your own or on an all-inclusive tour.
• Going on your own involves purchasing each of the tickets separately and online. These are: the entrance to Machu Picchu, the train ticket, the bus ticket and the professional tour guide service at the archaeological site.
• Going on a tour includes all these services and more: pick-up from the hotel door, transportation to the train station, train ride to Aguas Calientes, bus ride on the final stretch to Machu Picchu, entrance to Machu Picchu, tour guide service and the return trip to Cusco.

Getting to know Machu Picchu on my own

Which travel agency to choose?

If you decide to travel to Machu Picchu with an all-inclusive tour, you should choose one of the many tourist agencies that offer this service in Cusco, Peru.

While it is not possible to recommend one among the many existing travel agencies, the travel agency you choose must meet the following requirements to be considered a serious agency:

• Good reviews on online tourism forums such as TripAdvisor.
• Local in the city of Cusco, especially in the Historic Center.
• Services that include online tourist trains, professional guide and tickets to Machu Picchu on circuit 2, the most recommended.
• Modern website with photos of visitors taking the Machu Picchu tour with the tourism agency’s flags.
• Tourist support staff by phone, email and WhatsApp.

Visiting Machu Picchu with a recognized agency

Which ticket to Machu Picchu to choose?

If you are traveling on your own, you must choose between one of the 10 entrances to Machu Picchu. This is one of the most important decisions you must make on your trip, because unless you have all 10 types of Machu Picchu tickets and the time (and budget) to enjoy one each day, you will inevitably have to choose one.

• Machu Picchu Classic Photo Ticket – Includes circuit 1, called the panoramic circuit (only includes classic photo).
• Machu Picchu Classic Ticket – Includes circuit 2, also called the classic circuit as it includes the main Inca temples.
• Machu Picchu Classic Ticket Lower Terrace – Includes circuit 2, also called the classic circuit as it includes the main Inca temples. The classic photo is from a lower terrace.
• Machu Picchu Ticket Lower Temples – Includes circuit 3, also called the royalty circuit.
• Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu Ticket – Includes circuit 3 and the hike to the top of Huayna Picchu mountain.
• Machu Picchu + Mountain Ticket – Includes circuit 1 and the hike to the top of Machu Picchu Mountain.
• Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu Ticket – Includes circuit 3 and the hike to the top of Huchuy Picchu mountain.
• Machu Picchu + Inca Bridge Ticket – Includes circuit 1 and the hike to the little-known Inca Bridge of Machu Picchu.
• Machu Picchu + Intipunku Ticket – Includes circuit 1 and the hike to Intipunku, the Temple of the Sun of Machu Picchu.
• Machu Picchu Ticket + Great Cavern – Includes circuit 3 and the hike to the Great Cavern, also known as the Temple of the Moon.

Which route to choose to get to Machu Picchu?

The train route

This is the route used by most people who want to enter Machu Picchu; it is also the easiest and fastest, although not the cheapest. After booking your Machu Picchu tickets, we recommend booking your train tickets, of course if you do not want to have to choose between the most expensive train services, or even worse, not find any tickets available to get to Machu Picchu.

Trains to Machu Picchu run through the Sacred Valley of the Incas to the town of Aguas Calientes, at the foot of the Inca city of Machu Picchu. From here you will board a bus that will take you to the entrance gate to Machu Picchu. This short train route is considered one of the most beautiful in the world, so enjoy it.

Classic route to get to Machu Picchu

The route along the Inca Trail

The Inca Trail is considered one of the 5 best hikes in the world. It will take you from the mountain ranges of the Andes in Ollantaytambo to the edge of the Amazon rainforest where the Inca city is located. If you choose this route, the first view you will have of the sacred city of the Incas, Machu Picchu, will be from the Sun Gate, the main gate of Machu Picchu 500 years ago.

In case you didn’t know, the Inca city of Machu Picchu was so important that people on the way back were greeted with greater deference by the people who were going there to see the jewel of the Inca emperor.

Map from Cusco to Machu Picchu along the Classic Inca Trail

The route of Santa Maria

It is considered an alternative route for backpackers and people who want to skip the train to Machu Picchu. The Santa Maria route combines buses and hiking with beautiful scenery, and although it is a bit long, it is a lot of fun. While traveling this route, you can enjoy the Cocalmayo hot springs, the only crystal-clear hot springs in the region. You will also pass through small jungle villages, where, depending on the date you come, you can taste seasonal fruits and dishes.

Route to Machu Picchu by car

Go on a luxury trip or a standard trip?

• Although you can find everything from hostels to 5-star hotels, most of the hotels you will find in Cusco and Aguas Calientes are 3-star.
• But if you want more comfort, you can book a 4-star hotel in advance; this will give you not only a higher level of comfort but more options in the quality of breakfast.
• Remember that service is closely tied to what you pay for it. Cusco and Aguas Calientes have more hotels per square meter than anywhere else in Peru, and you’ll be spoiled for choice.
• However, keep in mind that coming during the high season (May to August) will require you to book hotels in advance, prices tend to go up by 30-50% during this season, and booking early will help you avoid the most expensive hotels.

How long to stay in Cusco?

• We recommend spending 2 days before your visit to Machu Picchu, one night in Aguas Calientes (near Machu Picchu), and two days after Machu Picchu.
• This time seems to work very well for most travelers. In addition to Machu Picchu, Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas have many places to enjoy, such as: Sacsayhuamán, Ollantaytambo, Pisac and others.
• All these tourist destinations make Cusco the best destination in South America. A lot of history, culture, beautiful landscapes and mysteries await you in Cusco. However, you can enjoy Cusco and its surroundings in a few weeks; but we know that not everyone has the time and budget.

Where to stay?

• On the day of your visit, you will need to board a train to get to Machu Picchu; however, you can choose to spend the night before in Cusco and take a very early bus to Ollantaytambo, or stay overnight there.
• Many people think that they will take the train to Machu Picchu from Cusco, but this is not the case. In fact, for some people it is very difficult to have to get up early in Cusco on the day of their visit, especially if they come during the month of June, when it is very cold.
• Many people choose to go directly to the Sacred Valley after getting off the plane, this will help you avoid the altitude of Cusco and therefore, avoid the symptoms of altitude sickness.
• In addition, spending the night in the valley will help you have more time to rest, the night before your visit to Machu Picchu.
• Think about this before planning your itinerary, perhaps it is best for you to spend the night in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

How many days to stay in Machu Picchu?

• I once read from another travel writer that it takes several days to fully enjoy Machu Picchu; however, you will only need 4 hours to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco (2 from Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley); and our recommendation is to spend the night in the Valley and two days in Machu Picchu.
• You can visit Machu Picchu in 3 or 4 hours, but you will need at least 2 visits to appreciate it properly. You can combine any type of ticket with the Machu Picchu ticket alone; however, as we mentioned before, one of the best experiences you can have in Machu Picchu is the Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu ticket.
• So two days in Machu Picchu with two different types of tickets will be enough to enjoy the Inca city of Machu Picchu.
• After your visit to Machu Picchu you will have plenty of time to enjoy the town of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town). It is a quirky town that caters to backpackers and luxury travelers; it sits spectacularly along rivers and mountains at the base of the mountain where the Inca city is located.
• It is very lively even though you will only find vehicles going up to Machu Picchu, everything else in the city is pedestrian. You will meet people from all over the world, and it is the perfect contrast to the peace of the Inca city on the mountain.
• Oh, and don’t forget to visit the town’s hot springs, 15 minutes from the Plaza de Armas (on foot), and try a pisco sour (Peru’s national drink) at one of Aguas Calientes’ many tourist bars and restaurants.

How to plan your visit to Machu Picchu?

• You will need some time to enjoy Machu Picchu properly, don’t forget that it is one of the 7 wonders of the world.
• On the first day you can visit the Inca city of Machu Picchu (Machu Picchu Classic ticket) and start with a 2-hour guided tour.
• Then get off, have lunch (Peruvian food) and enjoy the surroundings. We recommend that you board the bus early, as in many cases you may have to wait more than half an hour to board one.
• You can reserve Huayna Picchu mountain (Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu ticket) for the second day.
• The first entrance to Machu Picchu is at 8 am and the second at 11 am. The climb is exhausting and not for everyone.
• Be prepared to walk for an hour or a little more (uphill only), on trails reserved only for those who are not afraid of heights.
• If you can make it to the top, you will enjoy the best aerial views of the Inca city of Machu Picchu. Finally, unless you are spending an extra night in Aguas Calientes, don’t forget that you have to be at the train station on time to return to Cusco.

How to improve your experience visiting other Inca sites in Cusco?

• Machu Picchu is the goal, but not the only Inca site in Cusco or the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
• What’s more, a prior visit to places like Ollantaytambo or Pisac in the valley will help you prepare for what you will see in Machu Picchu.
• In the city of Cusco you can visit amazing places such as: Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Pucapucara, Tambomachay, the Cathedral, the Coricancha and more. Cusco has dozens of places (near the city) where you can enjoy the building skills of the Incas.
• However, to visit the best places you will need to purchase a Cusco tourist ticket. It is true that many of these experiences can significantly increase the cost of your trip, but they can have a major impact on your overall experience.
• There are no wrong decisions, but since most visitors will have limited time and money when visiting Machu Picchu, it is worth doing a little research and deciding on an itinerary that will provide you with an enriching trip.
• You may only be able to travel to Cusco and Machu Picchu once in your lifetime, so collect the best experiences from these places. It’s up to you!

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu

By: Juan P.

“Only“

“It is a place that every human being should visit at some point in their life, for the atmosphere, for the history, for the sensations, the energy, for the inexplicable way it was made. A unique and magical place.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, December 7, 2024