Machu Picchu is the number one destination in Peru. In addition, it is one of the most visited places in South America and, of course, in the world. The route to the Inca city is a journey into the glorious past of the Incas: its great stone architecture, its splendid landscape, and its history make it a special tourist attraction. To go without issues, the trip must be organized two or three months in advance. Whether you buy a tour or travel on your own, you should book your hotels, properly acclimatize, and determine the correct itinerary. Learn more!

• Machu Picchu: the best tourist destination in Peru
• The mysterious constructions of the Inca city of Machu Picchu
• Guide to visiting Machu Picchu without issues
• Tips for visiting Machu Picchu
• The tickets you should choose to visit Machu Picchu
• Questions and answers

Panoramic view of Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu, Peru’s number 1 destination and one of the best in South America and the world
If Machu Picchu is the destination of your trip to Peru, know that it is the most visited attraction in South America, a World Heritage Site, one of the 7 Wonders of the World, and the stronghold of what was the largest empire in South America. Machu Picchu is built between two mountains, between the Andes and the Amazon, nearly 500 meters above the Urubamba River valley. It is a mysterious marvel of engineering built over 500 years ago. It features 600 terraces, more than 170 buildings, hundreds of steps and pathways, several temples, 16 fountains, and even temples dedicated to the Sun God (Inti). The Incas built their city with thousands of stones—some truly massive—brought from white granite quarries more than 30 kilometers away. How did they do it? It is truly a great feat of human engineering.

Machu Picchu: the best tourist destination in Peru

• Since 2018, Machu Picchu has been chosen as the best tourist destination in South America according to the World Travel Awards, a sort of “Oscar” of global tourism.
• Moreover, every year Machu Picchu ranks among the top choices of travelers worldwide according to online forums like TripAdvisor.
• Since it was rediscovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, the Inca city has attracted millions of people from all over the world, making it, in recent years, one of the most desired destinations on the planet.
• According to statistics, Machu Picchu went from receiving 400,000 visitors in the year 2000 to one million in 2010, and surpassed 1.2 million in 2014. Today, the Inca archaeological site receives around 1.6 million visitors annually.
• • And more and more tourists from all over the world are interested in discovering the Wonder of the World. The experience offered by the Inca citadel includes adventure (hiking routes), incredible landscapes (the Inca city is one of the most photographed places on the planet), astonishing architecture, and fascinating stories behind every construction.

Postcard photo of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu

The mysterious constructions of the Inca city of Machu Picchu

• Machu Picchu features more than 150 stone constructions, such as temples, terraces, simple enclosures, royal quarters, viewpoints, stairways, and more. Some of these buildings still hold untold stories, like the Royal Tomb or the Temple of the Sun.
• The legendary and mysterious Inca stonework can be seen in their most important buildings, which display a precision in stone fitting that almost defies logic. Such was the level of craftsmanship achieved by the Incas that even today, 500 years later, it remains in excellent condition.
• The Incas did not know metal, carbon, or any material that could have allowed them to achieve such precision when shaping one of the hardest stones in the region, so the question “how did they do it?” remains a mystery. Some of their most famous temples include the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Temple of the Condor, and the Sacred Rock.
• In addition to the remarkable stonework, another distinctive feature of Machu Picchu is its terrace system (agricultural platforms), which not only allowed for more farmland on the mountain but also prevented the city from sliding off the slope. It is estimated that the Inca city has more than 9 hectares of agricultural terraces. This helped preserve the city intact after being abandoned for 400 years under jungle vegetation, preventing it from being destroyed like dozens of other Inca cities by invaders.
• The agricultural terraces in Machu Picchu were designed to withstand the 200 cm³ of annual rainfall, which could otherwise cause massive and destructive landslides. Without this system, the city would have collapsed centuries ago.

Tourist observing the constructions of Machu Picchu

Guide to visiting Machu Picchu without issues

• To visit Machu Picchu smoothly, you must first decide whether to book a tour or go independently. If you go with a tour, you won’t have to worry about anything, since it includes all necessary services: pickup from your hotel in Cusco, transport to the train station, tourist train ride, final bus transfer, Machu Picchu entrance ticket, tour guide service, and return to Cusco. If you choose a 2-day tour, hotel accommodation is also included.
• However, if you go on your own, you should organize everything at least 3 months in advance for a trouble-free trip. The first step is to purchase your Machu Picchu ticket online (through Boletomachupicchu or the Ministry of Culture website).
• The availability of Machu Picchu tickets is limited. You can usually find them one month in advance, although if you want one of the most popular ones (the classic circuit or Huayna Picchu mountain), you should buy it 3 months earlier.
• After obtaining your ticket, according to the date and entry time, you must purchase your train ticket. You can do so through the websites of PeruRail, Inca Rail, or also through Boletomachupicchu. There are various services available, depending on your preferences and needs.
• Both the Machu Picchu entrance ticket and the train ticket are the most important services. The remaining ones, such as the bus ticket, guided tour service, or hotel in Aguas Calientes, can be booked later, either online or in person in Cusco.

Map to reach Machu Picchu from Cusco

Machu Picchu Circuits
When purchasing one of the 10 Machu Picchu tickets, you’ll notice that each includes one of the 3 circuits into which the Historic Sanctuary is divided. Circuit 1, panoramic route (4 tickets); Circuit 2, classic route (2 tickets); Circuit 3, royal route (4 tickets).

Tips for visiting Machu Picchu

• Machu Picchu is open 365 days a year; however, from November to March it’s the rainy season. And although it has its advantages, most people prefer to visit during the dry season (from April to October), which is the high tourism season in Cusco and Machu Picchu.
• Machu Picchu is located at 2,430 meters above sea level. While this altitude does not usually cause altitude sickness, the only way to access the Inca city is through Cusco, which sits at 3,399 meters above sea level. That is indeed a height that could cause altitude sickness, especially if you are coming from cities near sea level.
• So remember that good acclimatization is highly recommended for a trip to Machu Picchu. Try “coca tea,” an ancestral remedy used since Inca times, which can help reduce symptoms and the likelihood of getting sick.
• Some people decide, on the day of their arrival in Cusco, to go directly to the town of Aguas Calientes (at the foot of Machu Picchu) or to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, both located at lower altitudes. Maximize your body’s hydration by drinking plenty of water, avoiding alcohol, strenuous activity, and heavy meals.
• You can choose to stay in Cusco or Aguas Calientes, or in both, depending on the type of trip you want. There are hundreds of accommodation options, from hostels and lodges to 5-star hotels.
• Machu Picchu’s opening hours are from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. When purchasing your ticket, you can choose an entry time between 6:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
• There are a total of 10 tickets available, all valid from June 19 to November 2, while the rest of the year (November 3 to June 18) only 6 tickets will be available.
• There are many routes to reach the Historic Sanctuary; the most popular include: the classic train route from Ollantaytambo, the 4-day hike along the Inca Trail, and the alternative route through Hidroeléctrica.

The tickets you should choose to visit Machu Picchu

These are the tickets available for your visit to Machu Picchu:

Questions and Answers

• 1) Is it recommended to visit Machu Picchu with a tour guide?

  You can explore Machu Picchu with the help of your smartphone or a detailed guidebook; however, a tour guide adds a personal touch along with expert knowledge. A guided tour in Machu Picchu lasts around 2 hours and 30 minutes.

• 2) Which items are prohibited in Machu Picchu?

  There are several items you cannot bring into Machu Picchu, including trekking poles, umbrellas, drones, and walking sticks. You may only enter with one of these if you can prove it is necessary due to mobility issues; however, the tip must be covered with rubber.

• 3) Which buses take you to Machu Picchu on the final stretch?

  It takes about an hour and a half to walk from Aguas Calientes to the Machu Picchu entrance gate, so we recommend taking one of the buses to Machu Picchu — they’ll take you there in just 25 minutes. Although this service can be a bit expensive, remember that you’ll need all your energy once inside Machu Picchu. Buses run frequently, departing every 10 minutes starting at 5:30 a.m.

• 4) Which ticket should I choose to add a bit of adventure to my Machu Picchu trip?

  Inside Machu Picchu, there are several hiking options to add some adventure to your visit. Among them, the most popular and recommended is the hike to Huayna Picchu Mountain.

• 5) Which Machu Picchu ticket is the most recommended?

  Each of the ten Machu Picchu ticket types offers a different experience. Of them all, the most recommended are those that include Circuit 2, the Classic Route of Machu Picchu — but remember to book at least 3 months in advance.

• 6) Which circuit in Machu Picchu allows me to see the most structures?

  Circuits 2 and 3 are the most recommended in Machu Picchu since they allow you to see most of the stone buildings and temples.

• 7) What is the main challenge when visiting Machu Picchu?

  The main issue when visiting Machu Picchu is securing a ticket in time. Tickets are limited, so it’s necessary to purchase them online two to three months in advance.

• 8) What could cause the temporary closure of Machu Picchu?

  The archaeological site of Machu Picchu is open every day of the year. The main causes for temporary closure could be emergencies such as social protests (road blockades) or natural disasters (like landslides due to heavy rains).

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu

By: Amiel R.

“Spirituality and Nature“

“If you love nature, spirituality, and history, Machu Picchu is the place you must visit. It’s one of the most fantastic places in the world, and beyond that, there are themes related to astrology and countless undiscovered mysteries. You have to go at least once in your lifetime — it’s no coincidence that it’s one of the 7 Wonders of the World.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, October 24, 2025