Ah yes, the world famous Machu Picchu. Whether you have ever thought about visiting, or you have had it on your bucket list for years, everyone has surely heard of Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas.
Machu Picchu sits at an elevation of 7,710 feet (2,350 meters) between two mountain peaks. The site was “discovered” in 1911 by Yale professor, Hiram Bingham and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, and became one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.
- Everything You Need to Schedule Your Trip to Machu Picchu
- Best Time to Visit Machu Picchu
- Current State of Peru (Is it still safe to visit?)
- Town of Aguas Calientes
- Other Things to do in Aguas Calientes
- Where to Stay in Aguas Calientes
- Machu Picchu Packing Guide
Machu Picchu is a very special ancient ruin site with a rich history. It is estimated that the indigenous Inca Empire began construction around the year, 1420. The site was occupied and expanded upon for over a century. Though they are not sure the exact purpose of Machu Picchu, some theories suggest that it was a royal estate or a sacred religious site for the Incas.
Then is just so happened that the Spanish Conquistadors arrived to Peru in 1532, and the site was abandoned. Machu Picchu remains especially unique today because 70% of the ruins are in the original state, meaning only 30% has been rebuilt or restored since its discovery in 1911!
Since 2007, it has become world famous and a household name. Machu Picchu is, by far, Peru’s most visited attraction that welcomes hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.
There is so much to talk about, but I cannot go into great detail about the ruins because I do not want to write a book! It is a truly fascinating site that you have to visit for yourself! I highly suggest hiring one of the Local Guides to give you a tour of the ruins because their knowledge of the site is so deep and they are very passionate about sharing the charm and history to all that visit!
Everything You Need to Schedule Your Trip to Machu Picchu
Planning to go to Machu Picchu can be a little bit of a logistical nightmare if you are not organized and prepared. If you want your trip to run as smoothly as possible, then you need to make sure you have everything planned in advance. With it being one of the most popular destinations in the world, availability for tickets can become scarce the later you wait.
Nothing would be worse than arriving all the way to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town) to find out you cannot visit the Machu Picchu ruins!
What you will need:
- Train ticket to Aguas Calientes
- Entrance Ticket for Machu Picchu
- Bus Ticket to & from the Machu Picchu entrance
- Tour guide for Machu Picchu
Train Tickets to Machu Picchu
Getting to Machu Picchu is not easy, and it takes some time and careful planning. We usually like to plan things as we go, but we knew we needed to do some extra and detailed coordinating to make sure we had everything ready to visit Machu Picchu, especially during peak tourist season, which runs from June through August.
If you are just arriving to Peru from another country, chances are that your flight will land in the capitol city, Lima. From there you will need to get another flight or a bus to Cusco. This is the main launching point that many visitors will take to visit the famous Machu Picchu site.
For the visitors who opt to not hike the 4 day Inca Trail, you will need to take a train to the town of Aguas Calientes, which is the village at the base of Machu Picchu. We booked our tickets with Peru Rail to get on the train in Cusco that would take us directly to Aguas Calientes.
Note: There are no roadways that lead to Aguas Calientes. Train or hiking is the only way to arrive to the village.
However, getting to Machu Picchu did not come without complications for us…
A few days before we were supposed to be boarding our train to Agaus Calientes, we received an email that the transportation workers would be going on strike the exact morning we were going to board the train from Cusco.
We were still in Lima when we received the email, so Jacob had to visit the Peru Rail Office at the Larcomar Mall, and they told us not to worry (and apparently this is something that happens every year!). Instead of taking the train from Cusco straight to Aguas Calientes, we had to change plans and take a bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo. From there, we could get on the train and make it to Aguas Calientes as planned.
We then scheduled a shuttle bus driver with Real Inca Car to take our group of 7 to the town of Ollantaytambo, where we would board the Peru Rail. Our driver told us he was worried that if we waited too late to leave, the strikers would have all the roads to Ollantaytambo blocked off, so we ended up leaving at 3 in the morning to ensure that we would be able to make it to the train. It made for an early morning, but everything went as planned and we were just glad to be on our way to Machu Picchu!
Once in Ollantaytambo, we had a few hours before we could board our train, so we walked around the quiet little village, and spent some time at one of the coffee shops. Then, when it was our scheduled time, we boarded the train and were on our way to Aguas Calientes!
How to Choose & Schedule Your Machu Picchu Hike
After you schedule your transportation to Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes) you will need to decide which admission tickets you want to purchase for the Machu Picchu ruins.
You can purchase the tickets at the official website for Machu Picchu. We chose to purchase our tickets here, rather than through a 3rd party website. This will be your best price because the other sites will have added fees.
Once you get to the scheduling page, you may be a little overwhelmed with the different ticket options, and trying to figure out which route and circuit is the best for you. Let me explain the options here:
There are 4 different circuits that you can take through the ruins of Machu Picchu, all with various distances and stops. If you are looking to complete an additional hike, there are 5 different routes to choose from:
Route 1: Machu Picchu Ruins only (Circuit 1, 2, 3, or 4)
Route 2: Circuit 4 + Huayna Picchu Mountain
Route 3: Machu Picchu Mountain + Circuit 3
Route 4: Circuit 4 + Huchuypicchu Mountain
Route 5: Circuit 1 or 2 + Inka Bridge
We researched maps similar to the one above to decide which circuit that we wanted to take.
Scheduling the Correct Circuit
After much research, we decided to schedule two different routes on two separate ticket purchases. We purchased a 7 am admission for Route 3 (Machu Picchu Mountain + circuit 3) and a 1 pm admission for Route 1 (Machu Picchu Ruins only) on the same day.
Below is a visual of Routes 1 and 3 that we completed on our visit to Machu Picchu. This includes summitting Machu Picchu Mountain.
I am not saying this will be the best fit for you as well, but I will tell you why we did it this way (and why we are glad we did).
First of all, since we did not do the Inca Trail trek, we wanted the best view and hike of the ruins. We ended up choosing Machu Picchu Mountain (Route 3) because it is the highest peak, so it offers incredible views of the ruins below and valley below. We also opted for this hike because it is far less busy than the more famous Huayna Picchu Mountain (Route 2).
Note: If you want to schedule route 2 (Huayna Picchu Mountain) make sure you are booking tickets 3 months in advance. The tickets were all sold out when we were planning our trip.
There was one flaw for us with the Machu Picchu Mountain (Route 3); it has the shortest circuit through the ruins, and we wanted to see more of the ruins!
For this reason, we also bought the Route 1 tickets, and chose to do Circuit 2, which takes you through as much of the ruins as possible. So, after finishing our hike of Machu Picchu mountain in the morning, we met our guide at the entrance to re-enter the ruins at 1 pm.
We were able to walk through most of Machu Picchu this way and learn the history behind the site, thanks to our guide! There is so much significance, precision, and engineering that went into the construction of the ruins that we would not have otherwise known if we didn’t schedule a guide. He explained how the Incas used certain shapes to perfectly align the buildings for astrological alignment!
Note: There are no restrooms inside the ruins, you must pay to use the restroom outside the entrance.
Bus Tickets to the Base of Machu Picchu
Now you need to decide how you will get to the Machu Pichu site. Remember it sits above 7,000 feet and is tucked away in the Andes Mountains!
Once you are in the town of Aguas Calientes, there are two ways to get to the Machu Picchu base. You will either need to take a bus or you can walk.
If you are feeling up for more of a hike, you can choose to walk up the steps that scale the mountain side. This option is free, but also very steep.
Since we were already planning to hike Machu Picchu Mountain early in the morning, we decided it was best not to exert all of our energy before even reaching the base, so we bought the bus tickets.
To do so, we used Consettur to purchase the tickets online. A roundtrip ticket cost $24 USD for foreigners. You still need to redeem your ticket once you are in Aguas Calientes, but it helps cut down on your time waiting in line when you have your ticket purchased in advance.
The bus leaves every 10 minutes to Machu Picchu in the morning, we got up early to avoid longer lines and ensure that we could enjoy the hike and view without too many crowds of people.
The bus ride takes about 30 minutes up a winding road that ascends the mountain. If heights make you nervous, I suggest not taking a window seat. While the view is quite incredible from the bus window, some people may not enjoy the view while a large bus traverses the tight, winding roads. You should not worry though, because the bus drivers do this route multiple times every day. It is completely safe.
Hiring a Tour Guide for Machu Picchu
Okay, now that you have your train tickets from Cusco (or Ollantaytambo), your Machu Picchu admission tickets purchased, and your Aguas Calientes bus tickets, you may want to think about hiring a guide.
At first, we were not going to get a tour guide for the ruins, but after talking, we decided that we would enjoy the experience even more if we were able to learn about the ruins, rather than just walking around and trying to speculate what certain things were built or used for.
Getting a tour guide was a fabulous decision! Our guide was so knowledgeable and passionate about the Machu Picchu ruins. We were so glad that we hired him!
To hire the guide, Jacob went to the Aguas Calientes town square near the Consettur bus ticket booth, and he simply just started talking to various guides. All you have to do is show them your tickets, agree upon a price, and meet them at the entrance of the park. It’s that easy!
Best Time to Visit Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is open year round, so no matter what time of year you decide to go to Peru, you will be able to visit Machu Picchu. However, the best months for beautiful weather are June through August.
Because June through August offers the best weather for Machu Picchu, it is also peak tourist season, so if you are planning on visiting during these months, it is best to schedule everything sooner than later! I would recommend 2-3 months before your trip.
We visited Machu Picchu in July, and while there were a lot of people, it did not feel too crowded or overwhelming. They do a great job of scheduling and filtering tourists through the ruins.
Current State of Peru (Is it still safe to visit?)
Now for the question that many people have been thinking up to this point. Is it still safe to visit Peru in 2024? Well, that complex-answer will be different for everyone because travel has to remain a personal choice. Everyone has different levels of risk management that they are willing to take, but I am going to share some information that will help you make the decision that is right for you.
Throughout 2023, there has been heightened political stress among the Peruvian citizens. That stress resulted in anti-government protests that unfortunately led to multiple casualties earlier last year. Since then, protests have calmed and agreements have been made among all parties that all future demonstrations will avoid main tourist locations. In early 2023, the Government announced that Machu Picchu reopened for tourists. It was a long overdue piece of good news for both Peruvians and tourists alike.
That being said, it is not impossible that an unfavorable situation can arise anywhere, at any given moment. When considering your travel to Peru, it is critical that you always be aware of where you are and what large gatherings are occurring. When there are demonstrations, we simply avoid those areas.
There are helpful tools that exist for tourists as well. One is the State Department’s travel advisories that will update periodically throughout the year. Another, is the Smart Traveler phone app where you can upload your travel destination information and automated government alerts will be sent to your email.
Bottom line, follow your countries guidelines, be aware of your surroundings at all times, and understand local authorities. The political situation in Peru is changing every day. Machu Picchu has their doors open today, but it is impossible to know if they will be in the future. We had a wonderful time in Peru, and had nothing but positive interactions with the Local People. If you decide to visit, we hope that you will have an incredible time in this beautiful country.
Note: You may want to consider purchasing a refundable ticket or travel insurance to cover any possible-future cancelations.
Town of Aguas Calientes
Aguas Calientes is a small village in the middle of the Andes mountains that mainly serves as a base for tourists going to Machu Picchu, but there are some other hidden gems there that you should not miss out on!
Arriving to Aguas Calientes, we were pretty mesmerized by the tall, steep cliffsides surrounding the town.
Other Things to do in Aguas Calientes
Most people stay in the town just to hit Machu Picchu, but we opted to spend three days in Aguas Calientes and get to know the area a little better.
Cascadas Alcamayo Hike
We arrived in Aguas Calientes early in the morning, and after a long and early morning of travel, we were ready to do some moving. We decided to hike the Cascadas Alcamayo trail, which boasts 2 small, but neat waterfalls.
We were able to easily walk to the trailhead from our hotel, as Aguas Calientes is not a very large town. The trail gave beautiful views of the surrounding mountains as well!
The trail is not too long or difficult, so it is definitely worth checking out. Once we reached the waterfalls we were ready to enjoy the views and relax for a bit. Can you tell who decided to swim in the ice cold water?
Catarata de Mandor Hike
The Cataratas de Mandor hike, in my opinion, was even more beautiful than the other waterfall hike. On our second day in Aguas Calientes, we decided to wake up early to start the trail. Again, we were able to walk to the trailhead from our hotel. For this hike, you actually start walking down the road that takes you to the base of Machu Picchu.
Once you begin the trail, you follow the railroad tracks and walk along the river. It was quite beautiful (though make sure you are not on the tracks when a train comes by). We also ended up with about 5 dogs leading us and they made great hiking companions.
The Mandor trail also ends at a waterfall, which we enjoyed very much. If you have time for more than just Machu Picchu during your time in Aguas Calientes, I highly suggest that you hike the Mandor trail. It was a hit with our entire group.
Shop at the Mercado Artesanal
If you are looking to take some souvenirs home from your time in Peru, the art market in Aguas Calientes is the perfect place to find something.
Walk the Town Streets
Aguas Calientes is a very small town surrounded by steep and beautiful mountain walls. It is a very walkable town, and I recommend visiting the little shops and different restaurants. You also have to try picarones from one of the street vendors! It is a type of sweet potato doughnut and they were quite delicious.
Eat at Machu Pisco
If you are in Peru, you have to try a Pisco Sour, their most famous alcoholic beverage. Machu Pisco had great food, and they also offer you the option to make your own pisco sours! Our group decided to try it, and it was so fun!
Where to Stay in Aguas Calientes
We stayed at the Chakana Boutique Hotel. The hotel was in a great location, the rooms were very clean and nice, and it came with breakfast each morning. We enjoyed our stay with Chakana and the owner was always friendly and willing to give us recommendations.
No, we did not all sleep in the same room. It was Jacob’s birthday and he requested a photo of everyone together!
Machu Picchu Packing Guide
- Bug spray!
- Hiking pants
- Long sleeve or jacket
- Short sleeve
- Shorts
- Water bladder bag
- Sun protection
- Hat
- Lip balm with SPF
Machu Picchu is an incredibly beautiful and mysterious place. Visiting these ancient ruins brings so much curiosity to the ancient cultures that once inhabited them. It is truly a place that you should visit at least once in your life.
Read our other Peru Blogs: 15 Best Things to do in Lima, Peru (Travel & Food Guide) and Plan Your Trip to Cusco, Peru
-Morgan & Jake
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The Traveling Wellburys 
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