Would you like to plan a stress-free trip to Machu Picchu but don’t know where to begin? Getting to see Machu Picchu was the reason we went to Peru and my guess is that most people’s first visit to Peru will include a visit to Machu Picchu. As I planned for the trip, I didn’t find most of these practical tips anywhere even as I poured over blogs and guide books. I hope these tips will give you a great head start as you plan your own trip to Peru.
- The first step in planning a trip to Machu Picchu is purchasing tickets. There are a limited number of tickets a day and for each ticket you have a one hour window to enter Machu Picchu. Purchase tickets here. You cannot buy tickets day of or at Machu Picchu. It’s about $45 a ticket per person per day. This is a lot of money by Peruvian standards but if you put it in perspective of going to somewhere like Disney World for a day it is a true bargain.
- You have to have your passport with you to get bus tickets AND to get into Machu Picchu. They do check to make sure your name matches.
- There are only two ways to get to the town of Aguas Calientes which is at the base of Machu Picchu – by train or to hike in. Depending on which route you hike, it takes anywhere from 1 to 4 arduous days. We took the train.
- As long as you get up early enough to make your train, Peru Rail and the tourist industry of Aguas Calientes will get you to Machu Picchu on time.
- Once you are in Aguas Calientes there are two ways to get up to Machu Picchu – ride the bus with pre-bought tickets around the corner of the bus stop ($12 each way) or walk. As much as I love to walk, it is a long way up and I would recommend getting the bus up.
- There will be a huge line on the sidewalk as you wait for the bus and it will feel like you aren’t going to make your time. Don’t worry, you will. Dozens of buses will take the passengers up the mountain to see Machu Picchu and they actually check the entrance window on your ticket and prioritize people with the next time window.
- While you are in line, you will be approached by locals who want you to pay them to be your guide in Machu Picchu. You do not have to have a guide to enter. If you do hire a guide, they will already have their own tickets to get in and their own bus tickets. It cost us about $90 including a tip to have our own guide and it was well worth it. We learned so much, not only about Machu Picchu but about the local culture and economy and he took amazing pictures at the top of Machu Picchu. I’m glad we didn’t only have selfies of this once in a lifetime experience. His English was excellent but we heard other guides that didn’t speak English as fluently. You don’t have to hire the first guide that approaches you. You negotiate the fee at that time. You will need cash (we payed with a combo of soles and American dollars).
- When we went in September of 2022, double masks were required on the bus and they are insistent.
- The bus trip is a zig zag up the mountain which was very dusty when we went and a little bit scary. I’ve never heard about a bus accident though. If you do hike up or down, there is a path with 1000’s of steps and you cross the road the buses use just a few times.
- You won’t get to see all of Machu Picchu with one visit. There are different circuits and you have to choose. I recommend Circuit 2 for the best overview and iconic views.
- Because I was paranoid that we might not make our time window (we had a noon time slot), we chose to spend the night in Aguas Calientes after we went that afternoon and also had an 8 AM window for a different circuit (4) and to climb Hichuypicchu. It was a little confusing because our ticket gave us a 7 AM window and then also an 8 to 9 window. If you are doing one of the mountain climbs plus circuit 4, then the first window of time is when you can enter Machu Picchu and explore Circuit 4 and the second window is when you can sign in to climb the mountain.
- Although my reason for two tickets was unnecessary (you are going to get there as long as you don’t oversleep), I am so glad we went both days. Machu Picchu is in a Cloud Forest and watching the early morning clouds and mist was exquisite. Getting there at noon on day one was also a nice way to explore the site in detail.
- Even though you have an enforced entrance time and curcuit you must go on, you can stay until they close if you want. So, if you only can go one day, pick the earliest time slot and stay all day.
- We chose to walk down the mountain on day 2 and had an adorable stray dog guide us all the way down. It was beautiful. I felt it in my body like nothing I’ve ever felt the next two days though. I’m active and in good shape and I moved like an old lady from the pain so beware.
- Bugs were not an issue on our whole trip until the base of Machu Picchu while we walked back. My ankles were exposed and I got dozens of tiny bites from something that itched like crazy for days. Put on bug repellent!
- Aguas Calientes exists just for tourists to get to Machu Picchu. We found accommodations to either be incredibly expensive ($500 a night) or cheap and hostel like with a private room (we didn’t have hot water or any water so didn’t really get a shower the second day but it was $24 a night). You can get the earliest train to get the earliest time slot and get a late train out and not spend the night at all. I would only recommend this if you’re coming from Ollie Tambo and not from Cusco though.
- You aren’t supposed to really bring food and water into the site. So, if you do go all day there will be no beautiful picnic looking at the view. However, we did have a water bottle that didn’t seem to be an issue and we had a few energy bars that we discreetly ate and put the trash in our backpack which also did not seem to be an issue.
- There are no bathroom facilities once you actually enter Machu Picchu. There are toilets at the top of the mountain which cost two Soles or about $.50 to use. Because they won’t let you in or out I highly recommend that you empty your bladder before you enter and are able to make the most of your time.
- There are a few food options at the top before you enter Machu Picchu but you cannot go in and out and they are fairly expensive by Peruvian standards.
This is truly a bucket list trip that everyone should do. We saw people with mobility issues enjoy parts of the site. We saw very old and very young and whole extended families. Follow these tips and you can truly experience Machu Picchu stress free.