Machu Picchu is an Inca citadel, dating back to the 15th century. Located in southern Peru, Machu Picchu sits on a mountain ridge that soars nearly 8,000 feet. Machu Picchu is above the Sacred Valley, and it’s in the Cusco Region of the Urubamba Province.
This site is the most well-known representative of the Inca civilization, originally constructed in 1450. It’s a Peruvian Historic Sanctuary as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s also been voted as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Some people do Machu Picchu on its own, or they might combine it with another itinerary, such as Amazon rainforest tours.
Regardless of the specific way you approach your trip to this ancient site, the following are some tips and things to know.
Tickets
You have to buy tickets to see Machu Picchu, and you can’t wait until the last minute on this one. This is one of the world’s most popular places to visit, and times will likely fill up a year in advance. Trying to purchase tickets at the gate just isn’t an option, particularly if you’re going during the high season.
If it’s low season, you may be able to get tickets weeks in advance but not always.
The farther ahead you can plan and purchase your ticket, the better. There are also treks that have limited entrances including Machu Picchu Mountain, and it’s even more important to book early for these.
If you want to hike the mountains that surround the actual ruins, you’ll have to pay more when you buy a ticket. You also book a time that your hike will begin. Family-friendly hikes include the Inca Bridge and Sun Gate, and those are included with the price of your original Machu Picchu ticket.
When you buy tickets, they’re now available for entrance from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or 12:00 to 5:30 p.m. You choose a time slot, but going in the morning tends to be better, because in many cases you’re able to stay longer than your time slot allows.
Accommodations
The town that provides access to Machu Picchu is Aguas Calientes. It’s a small, basic town, but it’s usedas a way to take a bus to Machu Picchu. If you’re going to visit the ruins, you may end up staying here, and this affords you easier accessibility and more time actually exploring.
Other options include staying in a town like Cusco and then taking the train to Machu Picchu, but this gives you less time. There’s also the town of Ollantaytambo, which provides train access too.
If you are going to stay in Aguas Calientes, the biggest option is the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, which is a resort away from the crowds.
Tours
A lot of people find using a tour company is their best option for Machu Pichu. As was touched on above, you can combine it with other locations and the tour operator can arrange transfers and accommodations, as well as optimizing your itinerary,so you get the most out of your trip.
They can also make sure you get a tour once you’re actually in Machu Picchu, so you get that full experience as well.
The Altitude
Machu Picchu is nearly 8,000 feet above sea level, but the city of Cusco is actually much higher at 11,100 feet above the sea. If you’re staying in Cusco, then you should be acclimated when you reach Machu Picchu.
If you’re going to be hiking, some of the mountains are higher, so you may need to take it easy. There are pills, or you can use coca leaves to try and help you with symptoms of altitude symptoms.
What to Wear
You should plan on wearing pants instead of shorts when you go to Machu Picchu. There are a lot of biting insects, and repellent isn’t going to help you guard your skin. Even if it’s hot, you should try and cover your legs, and possibly your arms as well.
Finally, as far as what to bring with you when you’re actually at the Machu Picchu site. First, you should use mosquito spray with DEET if possible, and you should bring sunblock.
Even if the weather looks nice, bring a raincoat and wear layers because the weather can change quickly. You can bring a small or regular sized backpack, but there are size limitations,so check on those before you go.
If your bag is too big, you’ll have to pay to store it before you go in.