In South America there are countless tourist destinations to visit. However, Machu Picchu is one of the most incredible places to go. Its halo of mystery attracts those who set foot in Peru.
If you are an adventurer, you will definitely want to explore this beautiful place. Here we present the definitive guide in which, through some very useful tips , we will give you the recommendations so that your trip to Machu Picchu is memorable.
What should you know before going to Machu Picchu?
When we go to visit a tourist destination that we have never been to, the main thing is to know enough about the place, since that way we can plan our trip taking the relevant forecasts.
In the case of Machu Picchu, the first thing you should know is in what season of the year it is best to visit it, what you should include in your luggage, what tours are available in the area, the cost of tickets, among others.
The first tip is that you should plan your trip in advance.
The second tip is that you must book your tickets to Machu Picchu well in advance.
When we talk about enough time, we mean weeks and even months in advance. Remember that this is a tourist destination visited by a large number of tourists around the world and the demand is high.
Booking your entrance to the enclave is the essential step in your journey, since the rest of the steps you must follow depend on it: booking trains, flights, buses, hotels, etc.
Join us on the tour of this guide and take note of each element so that the trip you plan to Machu Picchu is an unforgettable experience.
What is the best time to travel to Machu Picchu?
There is no specific restriction that Machu Picchu can only be visited at a specific time of the year, since it is open during the 12 months. It all depends on your preferences regarding the weather.
There are two seasons in the area: the rainy season (from November to March) and the dry season (from April to October). Both times have their attractions.
During the dry season, it hardly rains, the days are clear and cloudless; As the ground is dry, you can make the walks through the mountains with greater ease.
However, you should know that there are many people who decide to make their trip during these months of the year. This is the time of high season, especially the months of May to August, since it coincides with the holidays in Europe and the United States.
If you choose the month of June to visit Machu Picchu, you can witness on the 24th a representation of the sacred Inca festival known as Inti Raymi or Fiesta del Sol.
During the high season, tourist services increase their rates, due to the high demand. If you decide to come in this season, we recommend that you book all the services well in advance (2 months or more).
In the so-called rainy season, there are aspects that are important to clarify.
First of all, during these months it does not rain every day as many would think, since there can even be sunny days. What you will find is the mountain surrounded by that fog that gives it an indescribable mystical and ethereal air.
During this season the temperatures are a bit lower, so it may be a bit colder.
The rainy season is also considered low in Machu Picchu, so there is less influx of visitors, which means that the price of services (such as accommodation, tickets and tours ) are much cheaper.
The rainy season has certain advantages over the dry season, in addition to lowering the cost of services.
At this time the atmosphere is at its best, the mountain is all green and, of course, you can enjoy the delicious fruits of the season such as peaches and mangoes.
Another element that you must take into account when choosing the date to visit Machu Picchu is that, if you want to travel the Inca Trail, you must avoid the month of February, since it is closed for annual maintenance.
Now that you know what each season is like in Machu Picchu, it is up to you to decide which one to come. You must take this into account when preparing your luggage and take the necessary precautions.
What to pack for your trip to Machu Picchu?
One of the most important aspects to take into account when planning a trip is what you are going to take with you. For this you must keep in mind the characteristics of the site to visit. Machu Picchu is a rural place, where there is humidity and it is very likely that it will rain on any day of the year.
On this trip, long walks will be the order of the day, so you should carry everything you need in your suitcase to feel as comfortable as possible in each activity you do there.
Based on the above, we will give you here a list of the essentials that you cannot miss in your luggage for this charming destination:
1. Medium backpack
This is very important, since to get to Machu Picchu you must take a train trip, in which you will not be allowed to carry large suitcases, so you must strictly carry what you will need for the days you are there.
2. Walking shoes
It is the most useful part of the clothing on your walk. It is recommended that you bring two pairs of shoes to prevent any eventuality. Likewise, the footwear must be comfortable and closed, to keep your feet dry and protected.
3. Clothes
In Machu Picchu the weather can be somewhat changeable. There may be sunny days and then suddenly cloud over and a drizzle fall. You should wear clothes for both situations.
Our recommendation is as follows: comfortable pants, cotton flannels, cotton socks, warm clothing, and a waterproof poncho for times of rain. It is also important that you wear the occasional long-sleeved garment.
4. Sunscreen
You must remember that you are going to a site that is hundreds of years old, whose structures may be particularly sensitive to certain chemicals.
Our recommendation is that you use one of the many organic sunblocks on the market, which are harmless to the rocky forms that make up buildings.
5. Cap to protect yourself from the sun
There are days when the sun is really inclement in Machu Picchu, so it is important to be prepared and, in addition to sunscreen, have a hat that protects you from UV rays.
6. Extra batteries
They are essential for the flashlight or any other electronic device that you carry and thus be prepared for any possible power failure.
7. First aid kit
Although it is small, but with the essentials for any emergency.
What is needed to go to Machu Picchu?
Now that you have decided to travel to Machu Picchu, it is important that you begin to document what you need to travel to this place.
In the first instance, your passport is essential to visit Machu Picchu. Tickets to the Sacred City are personalized, so you must present an identity document that proves that you are the ticket holder.
You should also find out if you need a visa to enter Peru. On this, there are countries that do not need a visa, such as the countries of North America (Canada, the United States and Mexico), most of the Latin American countries, the countries that belong to the European Union, among others.
With respect to some South American countries, there are international agreements that allow their citizens free transit through Peru only with their national identity document. These countries are: Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Uruguay, Paraguay and Venezuela.
However, our recommendation is that if you are a native of any of these countries, you should still take your passport with you.
Another aspect is the issue of health. Are you one of those who wonder if they should be vaccinated to come to Machu Picchu? There are mixed opinions on this. When looking for information, you will see that there are some who think that it is necessary to be vaccinated and others who do not.
Many travelers who go to certain areas of Peru, especially the Amazon, are recommended to get the yellow fever vaccine.
However, it is specified that for other areas —including Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu— this or any other vaccine is not necessary. But it is up to your personal criteria if you put it on or not.
How to get to Peru?
One of the basic elements to take into account when planning a trip to a place outside of our country of origin is plane tickets.
When you plan to make your trip to Machu Picchu, there is no plane ticket that will bring you directly, but you have two options: get to the capital of Peru and from there come or get to the city of Cusco, which is very close to the Inca archaeological site.
Below we will give you the costs traveling in high and low season, from Mexico, Spain and the United States.
From Mexico in High Season
If you come from Mexico City to the city of Lima (it could be in the month of July), the cost of the tickets —traveling in economy class— ranges from $850 to $2082.
If instead of arriving in Lima you come directly to the city of Cusco, on the same date, the price of the tickets ranges from $883 to $1,305.
From Mexico in Low Season
If you decide to travel to the Peruvian capital, the cost of your ticket ranges from $437 to $1,677.
If you decide to save distances and travel directly to Cusco, you will have to pay for your tickets a price that goes from $441 to $598.
From Spain in High Season
Departing from Madrid Barajas Airport to Lima, the cost of your ticket is between $1,253 and $3,240.
If you travel to Cusco, you will have to invest between $1,730 and $3,615.
From Spain in Low Season
Traveling to Lima, the cost of the air ticket is between $806 and $5,210.
Up to Cusco you must cancel between $1060 and $2202.
From the United States in High Season
Leaving from Miami to Lima, the cost would be between $637 and $1,828.
If your interest is to get to Cusco, the cost is about $957 to $1309.
From the United States in Low Season
At this time, arriving in Lima, the cost of the ticket is between $562 and $2752.
Until Cusco, the price of the tickets will be between $776 and $2718.
When you search for airline tickets on the web, you will realize that the offers and options are wide and varied. It’s all a matter of evaluating your possibilities and, above all, choosing the one that fits the type of experience you want to have on this trip.
And if you come from another South American country?
Here we will explain how to get to Peru, if you are in a South American country such as Colombia, Chile or Argentina.
To get to Peru from anywhere, the simplest thing is to take a flight. In this case, we will place here the approximate cost of a plane ticket from these countries to Cusco.
From Colombia to Peru
The approximate cost of the ticket from Bogotá to Cusco ranges from $545 to $746 in high season; in low season it covers a range of $465 and $1471.
From Chile to Peru
There are two ways to travel to Machu Picchu from Chile: by air and by land.
If you opt for the first one, we must tell you that there are no direct flights to Cusco, so you will have to fly to Lima, at an approximate cost of $1,330 – $3,000, and from there go to Cusco and then to Aguas Calientes.
The second way of traveling, by land, is a complete adventure. If you leave Santiago de Chile, you should preferably arrive by bus to Arica, a city that is located in the north of the country and is very close to the border crossing with Peru.
It is important to clarify that the Santiago-Arica trip lasts approximately two days, so you must go very well prepared. The cost of the ticket is $82.
Once in Arica, your next stop should be Tacna, the border city of Peru. The cost of the ticket is about $4 and the journey is short, approximately 1 hour.
When you arrive in Tacna, you have to decide which of the two available routes to follow to Cusco. The first one is towards Puno, a city in the south of Peru that is located at an altitude of 3810 m above sea level. Here you must be careful with the sudden change in altitude.
The second alternative is to Arequipa, a city that is not at such an altitude (2335 m asl) as Puno.
In both cities you can take advantage and do a bit of tourism, since they have architectural and cultural wonders to show.
Whether from Puno or Arica, you must take a bus to Cusco. Here the prices can be similar. You will find buses of the most different and varied prices. The average ticket price is $30.
Once in Cusco, you can dedicate yourself to touring the city and appreciate its incalculable archaeological and historical value.
From Argentina to Peru
To travel to Machu Picchu from Argentina, there are two ways: the comfortable one (by air) and the adventurous one (by land).
If you decide on the first, from Buenos Aires there are direct flights to Lima, with an approximate cost of between $628 and $2,842.
If what you are looking for is adventure, you can come to Machu Picchu by land. There are several routes through which you can arrive from Argentina. Here we will describe two of them: for Bolivia and for Chile.
for Bolivia
You cross Bolivia and enter Peru through Lake Titicaca, a beautiful body of water shared by these two countries and which is the highest navigable lake in the world.
It is an interesting option because it will allow you to get to know a large number of towns and cities with numerous attractions, both natural and archaeological.
Leaving Buenos Aires, you can take a train to Tucumán. It is quite a long trip, about 24 hours, but the best option if you want to save.
Due to high demand, you must buy tickets well in advance and present your ID. You can buy them at the ticket offices located in the central building of Retiro (Mitre) or in other places such as Rosario Norte Station, Tucumán Station and La Banda Station.
On its journey, the train makes a total of seven stops. The cost of the ticket ranges from $25 to $30. You can get a cabin for two for the price of $89.
Once in Tucumán, you must board a bus that will take you to Quiaca, the border crossing with Bolivia. The cost of this ticket is approximately $38.
The border crossing must be done on foot, arriving at the town of Villazón in Bolivia. Already in Bolivian territory, you will take the train to the city of Oruro. On this trip, the train makes several stops: in Tupiza and Uyuní.
If you don’t have enough time, you can stay a couple of days in each one and visit the tourist sites of interest (there are many). In particular we recommend you to visit the Salar de Uyuni, a beautiful place.
The next stop on this journey is the Bolivian capital, La Paz, which you can reach by bus. The cost of the ticket is $3.65.
From La Paz, the ideal is to take a bus that takes you to Lake Titicaca-Copacabana. The cost of the ticket is around $5. If you are not in a hurry, you can rest here and enjoy the natural beauties that these places offer you.
From Copacabana you continue the trip to Puno. You make the trip across the lake in boats that make the journey. Prices are highly variable, but accessible. You can also take this trip by bus, with an approximate cost of $9 -$11.
From Puno it is easy to get to Cusco, an obligatory stop before Aguas Calientes, and then to Machu Picchu. You do the journey on a bus whose approximate cost is $30.
for Chile
Starting from Buenos Aires, the first step would be to reach the city of Salta, very close to the tri-border of Chile, Bolivia and Argentina. The bus ticket that takes you there costs about $84.
From Salta you must take one of the many buses that leave for San Pedro de Atacama (Chilean territory). The cost of the ticket is from $35.
We recommend that, if you are not in a hurry, you stay even for a day and explore the tourist attractions in San Pedro de Atacama, such as the Miscanti Lagoon, the Aguas Calientes Salt Flat, the Valley of the Moon, among many others.
From San Pedro de Atacama, you must continue your route by taking a bus that will take you to the next stop, which is the city of Arica. The transfer takes approximately 10 hours. The price of this ticket is $30.
From here you must leave for Tacna (Peru). The ticket is purchased at the International Terminal and has a price of $2. This is not the only form of transportation, as you can also use taxi services, it will only cost $3.
Getting to Arequipa from Tacna is very easy, the journey takes about 8 hours and the ticket price is approximately $10. Remember to observe all the natural beauties that Peru has.
You are almost at your destination. From Arica you take a bus to Cusco for a cost of $30.
After that beautiful journey full of adventures, you have arrived in Cusco, the starting point for the citadel of Machu Picchu.
How to get to Machu Picchu from Lima?
When you are in the Peruvian capital, you have two options to travel to Cusco. The first one is through a flight, which lasts approximately 1 hour and a half, with an average cost of between $109 and $203.
The second option is more adventurous: by land. Here are different alternatives.
If you only want to get to Cusco, you can take a bus that covers the direct Lima-Cusco route. Through this trip you will not cease to be surprised by the natural wonders that the Peruvian desert area houses. The bus follows the following route: Lima–Nazca–Puquio–Abancay–Cusco.
If you decide on this trip, we recommend that you hire one of the many agencies recognized for providing quality service, which guarantee the comfort of travelers.
Remember that it is a trip of approximately 21 hours and, if you are going to spend almost a day on a bus, you should try to make it as comfortable as possible so that you arrive at your destination relaxed.
The approximate cost of a ticket is $50. It seems expensive, but it is important to emphasize that the trip is in a bus with all the comforts and generally includes breakfast and dinner.
If you want to get the most out of this adventure trip, you can stop at each stop and visit the sights.
One recommendation that we make is that, when passing through Nazca, you cannot miss visiting the Nazca lines, that set of mysterious silhouettes carved to perfection on the ground that represent living beings.
In Nazca there are agencies that offer to fly over the lines at an approximate price of $100. The cost is a bit high, but if you can include it in your budget, our recommendation is that you do it, since it is an experience worth living at least once.
The Nazca lines are one of the most interesting mysteries of our planet.
The journey from Lima to Cusco is long, but the beauty of the landscapes and the comfort of the buses mean that those hours are not so exhausting and tedious, and turn the trip into a pleasant experience.
Take advantage of your time in Cusco
Since you are in Cusco, a city so full of life, culture, traditions and history, you cannot miss the opportunity to get to know its most representative places and surroundings, before moving on to the greatest pearl of your journey: Machu Picchu.
You should not miss the famous Plaza de Armas, located in the historic center of Cusco. Around this there are a large number of establishments and shops where you can buy souvenirs. Do not forget to visit the religious temples, beautiful examples of colonial architecture.
You can visit the museums that the city has, in them you will be able to observe diverse artistic pieces, many are of pre-Columbian art, elaborated by the ancient Incas, who once settled in the region.
If you like to experiment gastronomically, then you should not miss out on trying the Cuy (guinea pig), one of the typical Peruvian dishes that consists of this fried mammal, accompanied by vegetables. Quite a delight.
And, of course, do not forget to visit the archaeological sites, the most recognized (after Machu Picchu) being Sacsayhuamán, an ancient Inca fortress, built entirely of stone that once again demonstrates the wonderful architectural genius of the Incas.
How to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco?
To go from Cusco to Machu Picchu, you have two options: you can do it on the train that leaves from Ollantaytambo (a city 1 hour and a half from Cusco) or from the one that leaves directly from Cusco.
Many people prefer to get to know Ollantaytambo, so they decide to travel there by bus and then board the train.
The second option is through the so-called “Inca Trail”, a walk that lasts 4 days, entering a network of paths and trails built by the Incas to reach Machu Picchu through the Puerta del Sol.
1. Traveling by train to Machu Picchu
You can travel by train from two destinations: Ollantaytambo or Cusco.
If what you want is to get to Machu Picchu without delay, you can go to the Poroy Station, about 20 minutes from the Plaza de Armas. To get there, you can take a taxi that will charge you approximately $12.
During the rainy season, the Poroy station is restricted. So if you travel in this season, you should go to Ollantaytambo and board the train there.
Machu Picchu is one of the most visited sites in the world, so to ensure a smooth trip, you should book all your tickets and entrances well in advance.
The train ticket is no exception. You must have booked more or less 6 months in advance.
There are two companies that offer the train service: Peru Rail and Inca Rail . Both offer a good service, the difference is in the hours and availability.
The approximate cost of the train ticket departing from Poroy is from $95.
If your starting point is Ollantaytambo, the cost of the ticket can range from $150 to $180.
This train trip is an unforgettable experience, as it makes its way through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, full of beautiful landscapes that will remain etched in your memory.
2. Travel through the Inca Trail
If you have read about Machu Picchu, you know that the Inca Empire was able to expand over large extensions of territory, due to the fact that they had a kind of network of roads that connected nerve points of the empire with each other and with its capital, Cusco.
The Inca Trail is nothing more than the name given to this vast network. The most recognized section is the one that ends in Machu Picchu. It is approximately 43 km long and the expedition lasts about 4 days.
When traveling along this route, you will be amazed once again by the advanced degree of development in the construction area that the Inca civilization had.
Here you will be able to observe the use of steps in steep places, the paving of the path to protect it from ice and snowfall, and the existence of holes in the supporting walls to drain the water.
However, if you are willing to go down this path, it is important that you take certain precautions. The first one is that, before starting your trip, you should spend a little time getting in shape, preparing your body for the great physical effort involved in walking this path.
Second, you have to be wary of the altitude. At certain points along the way you can reach an altitude of 4,224 meters above sea level and if your body is not used to it, you can suffer what is known as “altitude sickness”: headache, nausea and lack of energy.
It is important that you know that you cannot carry out this expedition on your own, because due to its characteristics it can only be carried out by authorized travel agencies that have specialized guides on the journey.
The entrance to the Inca Trail is highly regulated by the authorities. Only 500 people are allowed to enter per day, of which only 200 are tourists. The rest is part of the logistics of each expedition.
This is why, as with entrances to Machu Picchu and train tickets, you must book in advance (about 6 months) at an agency to make the journey.
The approximate cost for this expedition is $700 per person, although it is possible to benefit from certain promotions that have to do with the size of the groups. That is, if you travel with three or more people, you can purchase a private trek package .
Each company that offers the service has its own itinerary and logistics, but we can tell you that each trek includes:
- Entrance to the Inca trail
- Bilingual guide (English-Spanish)
- Personal tent, kitchen tent, dining tent with tables and chairs
- Porters for the team
- Cooks, all meals and boiled water to fill the bottles every morning
Another very important aspect to take into account is that the Inca Trail is not open all year round, but rather closes in February, due to weather conditions that make it dangerous. The authorities take advantage of this to do maintenance.
If you took into account the recommendations, you will be doing one of the expeditions with the most beautiful landscapes. Along the way, apart from marveling at the natural environment that surrounds you, you will see remains of ancient Inca settlements.
At the end of the journey, you will find Intipunku, also known as the Puerta del Sol, from which you will have a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding mountains.
It is particularly beautiful to see the sunrise from this point. People who do the Inca Trail can appreciate this phenomenon on the last day of the trip.
Tickets to Machu Picchu
You cannot enter Machu Picchu freely, but you must purchase an entrance ticket. Due to the high demand and the strict control that is maintained to enter, the main thing is to make reservations well in advance.
Likewise, we inform you that there are two shifts to enter the city: morning shift and afternoon shift. For each one, a specific number of people are allowed to enter, depending on the type of tickets they purchase.
In tickets apply certain discounts to students, children and nationals; by “national” we mean people born in Peru or in any country of the Andean Community (Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia).
It is important that you know that the tickets to Machu Picchu have three modalities:
1. Machu Picchu alone
It allows you to enter the city on the turn you choose. A maximum of 2500 people is accepted for each shift. Morning shift (06:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) and afternoon shift (12:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.). The approximate cost of this ticket is $70. If you are a national, you pay $37.
2. Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu
Entrance to the city and to the Huayna Picchu mountain. In this case, only 400 people can enter per day, divided into two groups in the morning: 07:00 a.m. to 08:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. If you decide on this option, you must pay $86; being national, $54.
3. Machu Picchu + Machu Picchu Mountain
Entrance to the city and the mountain of the same name. A total of 400 people per day are accepted here at each time.
The first schedule is from 07:00 a.m. to 08:00 a.m. and the second schedule is from 09:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The ticket is priced at $86 and, if you are a national, $54.
The entrance to Machu Picchu is personalized, that is, it has the full name, identity document number and age of the owner.
To acquire any of the entrance tickets to Machu Picchu you must present an identity document.
If you have Peruvian nationality, you must present your DNI and, if you are a native of any Andean Community country, your current identity document. If you are a foreigner, the valid passport.
Tickets can be purchased through web portals that are specialized for it.
There are pages that allow you to cancel for installments. In others, you must pay in full at once. Once the ticket has been cancelled, it is sent to you by email so that you can print it and present it together with your identity document at the entrance to Machu Picchu.
How to visit Machu Picchu with a tour ?
Many of the world’s recognized tourist destinations have companies that carry out tours whose function is to allow tourists to discover their attractions in an organized manner.
Machu Picchu is no exception, since there are a lot of options when it comes to tours to get to know the Sacred Inca City.
You can visit Machu Picchu through a tour in which you will not have to worry about anything other than enjoying the experience, since each company is in charge of the logistics of the trip.
The duration of each tour is different; there are 1 day and up to 15 days. It all depends on what the tour includes and what places you are going to visit.
Taking into account the wide range of options, here we will only talk about some of the tours most recommended by tourists on the web.
1. Inca Trail
The first tour that comes to mind is the Inca Trail. However, we remind you that it is one of the most popular tours to Machu Picchu and the one with the most beautiful natural landscapes.
2. Tour to Machu Picchu (1 Day)
This is a lightning tour , in which the only objective is to know the Sacred City of Machu Picchu. It begins in Cusco, from where there is a transfer to Ollantaytambo to take the train to Aguas Calientes.
In Aguas Calientes, take the bus to the entrance of Machu Picchu. The city is toured to later, in the afternoon, return to Cusco.
This type of tour includes: tourist information, transfers to the train station, round trip train ticket , bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and entrance to the city. In addition, they have a bilingual guide.
The cost depends on each company. However, we can tell you that it is around $350 per person.
3. Tour to Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu (4 days, 3 nights) 
This tour is a little more complete, since —apart from getting to know Machu Picchu— you will get to know other tourist attractions such as the city of Cusco and the Sacred Valley.
The first day is in Cusco, touring the city and its most emblematic places such as the Plaza de Armas and the churches.
The second day the Sacred Valley is visited, especially Pisac, a town very famous for its handicrafts. There is also an archaeological center here. You will get to know other places such as Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and the town of Chinchero.
On the third day you travel by train to Machu Picchu and you have the opportunity to enter the archaeological complex and vibrate with the energy that permeates the place. The fourth day is the return.
This tour includes: 3 hotel nights in Cusco, admission to all the tourist sites visited, round trip train ticket to Aguas Calientes, bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, bilingual guide, lunch in the Sacred Valley and tourist information of interest.
The approximate cost of this type of tour is from $515 per person.
4. Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu (2 days, 1 night)
The tour begins in Cusco, from where you travel by train to Aguas Calientes. Here you will have the day free to discover the city and its attractions, among which are the Mador Falls, its famous thermal baths and the numerous craft establishments that abound.
The next day, very early, you travel by bus to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary where a guided tour is made.
After this, the ascent to the Huayna Picchu mountain begins, which takes approximately 1 hour and a half. From the top of this mountain you will be able to appreciate the archaeological complex in all its splendor.
At the end of the day, the train to Ollantaytambo is boarded and then the bus back to Cusco. This tour includes: tourist information, transportation to and from the train station, train and bus tickets, hotel in Aguas Calientes, entrance to Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu, and a bilingual guide.
The price of this tour is from $410 per person.
5. Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu (5 days, 4 nights)
This tour represents an alternative for those who do not wish to follow the traditional Inca Trail or have not found a place on it. Along the way you will see the impressive Salkantay mountain, one of the highest and most majestic in the Peruvian Andes.
During the first two days of the tour you will be fascinated by the beauty of the surrounding landscape. On the third day the descent towards the cloud forest begins and on the fourth day we reach Aguas Calientes.
The last day of the tour is the visit to the Sacred City of Machu Picchu with a guide.
In other things, the tour includes:
- Tourist information
- Transfer to the starting point of the walk
- Entrance to Machu Picchu
- camping tents
- cooking utensils
- Feeding
- pack horses
- First aid kit with oxygen bottle included
- 1 hotel night in Aguas Calientes
The average cost is about $500 per person.
Visit Machu Picchu without tour
Another option that you should consider when planning a trip to Machu Picchu is to do it on your own, that is, without the need for a tour .
Tours are tempting options, since they allow you to delegate the organization and route of your trip to others. However, traveling on your own has certain advantages.
In the first place, it is considerably cheaper, since you yourself locate the economic options that best suit you, according to your budget.
Likewise, it allows you to improvise on the fly; that is, you are not forced to follow a tight schedule, but rather you have room to make decisions about what to do and what not to do.
Now it is up to you to decide if you will visit Machu Picchu with or without the help of a tour .
How much does it cost to travel to Machu Picchu?
Once we have talked to you in detail about all the aspects that you should consider for your trip to Machu Picchu, we will tell you what the approximate cost of the trip is.
Meals: approximately $8 for each meal in Aguas Calientes and $40 in the Machu Picchu restaurant
Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu: $70
Train tickets: $150-$180
Bus Tickets: $30 approximately
Lodging: $20 (per night in hotels, single room)
Other expenses ( souvenirs , snacks ): $30
Total costs: approximately $358
Now, to that cost you must add the price of your plane ticket.
From Mexico: $358 + $1,200 (approximately) = $1,558
From Spain: $358 + $2000 (approximately) = $2358
From the United States: $358 + $1,500 (approximately) = $1,858
It is important to remember that these are approximate expenses per person on trips without tours . Now, if you travel to Machu Picchu with a tour , what you have to do is add the cost of the tour to the price of the plane ticket.
last minute recommendations
- Find out as much as you can about Machu Picchu. Consult as many sources of information as you have at hand. So you can be as prepared as possible for this wonderful adventure.
- Always take a little more money than budgeted. This will allow you to face any eventuality.
- Take the time to adjust to the altitude. Remember that, due to the height of the Sacred City, many experience the so-called “altitude sickness”, so you must take precautions to avoid it or minimize its effects.
- If you hire a tour , choose a recognized and recommended tourist agency. Read the opinions and comments of other users. Look for references.
- Bring your own food and water when you visit the citadel. You can buy these in Aguas Calientes. In this way, you will save a little, since in Machu Picchu everything is more expensive.
Is it worth coming to Machu Picchu?
If you ask that question to any traveler who has already been to Machu Picchu, their answer will be blunt: Of course it is!
Machu Picchu is one of the most requested tourist destinations in the world, declared as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.
The trip to Machu Picchu is an unforgettable experience that must be experienced at least once in a lifetime. The magic and charm of the place attract people from all over the world. Her beauty is unsurpassed and her aura of mystery is captivating.
When facing the imposing citadel, we feel overwhelmed by the greatness of a civilization that conquered and adapted to the environment, building one of the most admired empires and whose vestiges show us that its heyday was truly magnificent.
Our recommendation is that, if you have the opportunity, do not hesitate to come, experience the mysticism that surrounds the environment and witness the beauty and majesty of Machu Picchu, the Sacred Inca City.
See also:
- What is the best time to travel to Machu Picchu?
- The 15 Best Things to Do in the Historic Center of Mexico City
- Why is Mexico a Megadiverse Country?
