The traditional citadel of Machu Picchu, which is hidden excessive up within the Peruvian Andes, attracts with a way of thriller and majesty. It’s a location that has captured vacationers’ consideration for a few years, and its historic worth can’t be ignored.
Nevertheless, there are particular issues you ought to be conscious of earlier than getting into the sacred grounds of Machu Picchu. Subsequently, we’re right here to offer you the ten issues to know earlier than visiting Machu Picchu, so you could have an unforgettable go to.
Be certain additionally to take a look at our full information to visiting Machu Picchu.
Let’s get began! Right here is an summary:
Issues to know earlier than visiting Machu Picchu
1. Have your whole journey paperwork at hand
You should have all of the practice, bus, and entry tickets at hand when doing all of your Machu Picchu tour. It’s tremendous if in case you have them as digital tickets in your telephone. Scroll all the way down to the underside for extra tour data.
To be on the protected aspect, it’s sensible to print them out in case you expertise web points or run out of battery. If you happen to didn’t print the tickets at residence, don’t panic; your lodge in Cusco or Aguas Calientes will provide help to.
This additionally applies to your passport. On your go to to Machu Picchu, at all times deliver your unique passport with you.
2. Take the shuttle bus as an alternative of mountain climbing
You’ve gotten two choices for attending to Machu Picchu’s entrance from Aguas Calientes: mountain climbing or utilizing a shuttle bus.
The hike lasts about 90 minutes and isn’t significantly spectacular as a result of there aren’t any superb sights alongside the best way. Provided that the path twists steeply into the jungle, it’s a slightly difficult trek. By the point you get to the entry, you’ll most likely be drenched in sweat.
That’s why we advise taking the 25-minute bus journey. You should buy the tickets upfront, every method being $12.
If you happen to’re a eager hiker, try our information to mountain climbing the Inca Path Path to Machu Picchu.
3. Pack sensible for Machu Picchu
Your backpack must have a particular measurement if you happen to go to Machu Picchu. You gained’t get entry to the ruins whether it is bigger than 15.7 inches by 13.7 inches by 7.9 inches (40 cm x 35 cm x 20 cm), and you have to to retailer it in a locker.
In your backpack, you may solely put a digital camera, a telephone, a small water bottle (ideally one that may be reused), sunscreen, insect repellent, and so on. Meals, nonetheless, is forbidden. Due to this, we strongly advise you to eat a filling breakfast and/or deliver snacks with you on the journey to Machu Picchu.
Moreover, you aren’t allowed to deliver tripods, drones or selfie sticks with you. Typically the guards are very strict, typically they aren’t and don’t even test your backpack. Nevertheless, you ought to be ready for the previous and comply with the foundations.
Additionally, carrying applicable clothes is vital as a result of the Andes’ local weather is vulnerable to sudden shifts. We advise carrying sturdy sneakers, multifunctional clothes, rain ponchos, hats or caps, and zip-off shirts and pants. We advise trying out Merino Wool clothes for any out of doors adventures.
4. Watch out for the mounted routes
It’s essential to follow a set path all the time you might be on the guided tour. This implies you may solely go in a single path.
Returning to one of many beforehand seen places just isn’t attainable!
The aim of this rule is to enhance the group of the Machu Picchu excursions. Within the common excursions, you’ll go to Circuit 1, which lasts about 2.5 hours and explores each the excessive and decrease areas of Machu Picchu. This circuit lets you seize the well-known postcard picture of Machu Picchu.
5. Keep away from getting your passport stamped
You will have seen different vacationers who had a Machu Picchu stamp added to their passports on Fb or Instagram. Regardless of how thrilling and memorable this sounds, we are able to solely strongly warn you from doing it.
You could now be questioning, “Why?” It’s as a result of this stamp just isn’t an official passport stamp. There have been varied vacationers who had difficulties getting into different international locations, as this stamp invalidated their passport.
We suggest you deliver a postcard, a observe block or a T-shirt if you happen to actually need the Machu Picchu stamp. However don’t get your passport stamped.
6. Buy your tickets early
Usually, the sooner you e book your tickets, the higher. This fashion, you may select your most popular entrance time to Machu Picchu.
If you happen to plan to go to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, reserving early is much more necessary. But, what does “early” truly imply?
As there are solely 400 guests allowed per day throughout the excessive season of Could by means of October, you need to reserve your tickets to Huayna Picchu no less than two to 3 months upfront. For Machu Picchu Mountain, reserving a couple of weeks earlier than is normally tremendous.
You’ll take pleasure in a wide ranging view of the Machu Picchu ruins and the environment from each summits.
7. Use the lavatory earlier than getting into
As there are not any loos contained in the archaeological complicated of Machu Picchu, we urge you to make use of them earlier than getting into particularly as you might be unable to go away and re-enter Machu Picchu after you cross the doorway.
In different phrases, except you could have bought a second admittance ticket, there is no such thing as a method again in as soon as you might be exterior.
Our recommendation: deliver some tissues with you as a result of many loos in Peru don’t have bathroom paper. The utilization of the restroom typically prices S/1 ($0.30).
8. Discover the Sacred Valley earlier than visiting Machu Picchu
As Cusco is within the Andes at a peak of over 11,000 ft, it’s essential you acclimate your self to keep away from altitude illness in Peru.
Earlier than touring to any high-altitude websites after arriving in Cusco, it’s best to first discover the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, as they’re much less elevated. This enables your physique to step by step regulate to the altitude.
Other than getting used to the altitude, one other benefit of doing the Sacred Valley tour earlier than visiting Machu Picchu is that it’s going to provide help to perceive the Incas’ historical past and put it in chronological order.
This particular and complete tour of the Sacred Valley permits guests to expertise native life, architectural wonders, Inca historical past and delightful pure landscapes earlier than heading to Machu Picchu. The tour contains visits to Chinchero, Maras, Moray and Ollantaytambo and lasts 12 hours. The tour is designed to provide guests an genuine expertise of life within the Peruvian Andes.
E-book your Sacred Valley expertise straight with the tour operator right here.
9. Select the “finest” practice possibility
There is no such thing as a practice that stops straight at Machu Picchu. The final cease is Aguas Calientes. From there you may both take the bus, which takes about 20 minutes to the doorway and needs to be paid for, or you may hike for about 1.5 hours.
Peru Rail and Inca Rail are the one practice firms that provide journeys to Aguas Calientes. We’ve got examined each and like PeruRail due to their seemingly newer practice and included snack service. Our journey on Inca Rail was so bumpy that we had been afraid our espresso would fly by means of the practice. Usually the value distinction between the 2 trains could be very small and may improve barely throughout the excessive season.
You possibly can’t management your alternative of seat. Nevertheless, if you’re touring as a pair, it’s virtually at all times attainable to get seats subsequent to one another by arranging them accordingly, and the practice workers will assist with this even when no prior seat association has been made”.
Going to Machu Picchu by practice leaves you with three completely different practice choices. Let’s check out them.
Expedition practice – the usual practice
The big home windows of the PeruRail Expedition practice let you admire the breathtaking surroundings as you journey to Machu Picchu.
The practice is supplied with snug seats, tables, air-con, heating and bathrooms.
You should utilize the PeruRail Expedition Prepare for one-way or spherical journeys between Cusco and Machu Picchu. It is usually attainable to board the practice within the Sacred Valley. The practice departs from Poroy (Cusco), Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu.
Throughout the journey you’ll have the chance to purchase meals and drinks.
Vistadome practice – barely extra snug, panorama home windows and on-board leisure
The Vistadome trains provide a novel and particular method to journey to Machu Picchu.
That is the extra luxurious possibility, the place you may sit in automobiles with panoramic home windows on the edges and ceiling and benefit from the surroundings from the consolation of leather-based seats. On board additionally, you will be supplied a snack with regional merchandise from the Andes.
On the best way again, you may even take pleasure in a vogue present in your carriage the place genuine alpaca child wool clothes are offered, together with unique alpaca clothes traits on the market.
On the best way to the Inca citadel, the Vistadome gives breathtaking views of landscapes and pure phenomena, creating a real connection between you and your environment.
Benefit from the lovely path to Machu Picchu and indulge within the flavors of the Andes.
Hiram Bingham practice – luxurious practice with on-board meals, open bar and extra
Have you ever ever dreamed of touring by means of the Peruvian Andes in a practice that resembles a 1920’s Pullman automobile? The Hiram Bingham Prepare not solely makes it attainable, it makes this magical journey an unforgettable expertise with personalised service that takes care of each element of your journey.
The costliest of the three practice choices is the Belmond Hiram Bingham Prepare, named after the discoverer of Machu Picchu – Hiram Bingham. This luxurious practice journey is likely one of the most luxurious practice experiences in Peru.
The unique Belmond Hiram Bingham Prepare options a chic eating space and bar, and the open roof of the practice automobile gives distinctive views of the breathtaking surroundings.
Start your expertise with a welcome cocktail. As soon as on board, you’ll be handled to a gourmand lunch by the maître d’. A scrumptious dinner can be included on the return journey. In each instances, it is possible for you to to accompany your meals with non-alcoholic drinks and a very good choice of wines.
The carriages have been specifically designed within the type of 1920’s Pullman automobiles and are furnished with gleaming wood furnishings and enormous snug armchairs.
Conventional Peruvian and worldwide music is performed dwell all through the journey – to the rhythm of Peruvian cajóns and tambourines – giving this tour to the citadel of Machu Picchu an unforgettable environment.
If you happen to plan on a “common” journey to Machu Picchu, we propose taking the Expedition practice to go to Aguas Calientes and the Vistadome as your return practice.
Greater than that, we suggest taking the practice to Machu Picchu from Ollantaytambo after your Sacred Valley tour, staying the evening in Aguas Calientes and taking the practice again on the subsequent day. This lets you have a extra relaxed expertise. Extra about this under.
10. Spend the evening in Aguas Calientes
Why do you have to keep the evening in Aguas Calientes? That is undoubtedly your best choice if you wish to go to the Machu Picchu ruins at dawn earlier than the crowds arrive.
The early morning Machu Picchu day journeys ranging from Cusco start at 2.30 a.m. For the reason that first practice from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes departs at 5:05 a.m., Machu Picchu can’t be seen till 7:30 or 8 a.m.
Spending the evening in Aguas Calientes lets you sleep in a bit of longer and enter Machu Picchu at 6 am, earlier than the crowds.
The day journey from Cusco or Aguas Calientes are each glorious decisions. Nevertheless, you need to keep in Aguas Calientes if you wish to expertise Machu Picchu with out the crowds.
Personal 1 day Machu Picchu practice tour
A day journey to Machu Picchu is commonly hailed as essentially the most breathtaking expertise in Peru. This particular tour eliminates the standard journey complications of late pick-ups, overcrowded teams and disinterested guides reciting rehearsed traces.
Relaxation assured that your time exploring Peru will likely be flawless with this rigorously curated tour. You’ll uncover picturesque places ultimate for capturing unforgettable moments by means of the lens of your digital camera.
Get able to journey again in time with our enthusiastic information who will regale you with charming tales of Machu Picchu’s wealthy historical past. Their ardour will transport you to a different period and make this a rare encounter.
Worth: from USD 369 per particular person
Select from all three practice choices, talked about above.
Begin in Cusco and select if you wish to keep in a single day in Aguas Calientes or not
This tour contains:
- Return practice tickets
- Personal guided tour of Machu Picchu with a educated English-speaking information
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
- Entrance payment to Huayna or Machu Picchu mountain (if chosen)
- Shuttle bus Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
- Lodge decide up or drop off in Cusco or the Sacred Valley
Get pleasure from a spectacular time at Machu Picchu
As you may see, there are some things to pay attention to earlier than touring to Peru’s Machu Picchu. Reserving the tour with sufficient time upfront is likely one of the most vital issues to recollect. Staying in Aguas Calientes earlier than your tour is one other key level.
With the earlier suggestions, we hope that we had been in a position to put together you to your unforgettable journey to Machu Picchu.
When you’re planning your Peru itinerary, try these different locations to go to in addition to Machu Picchu!
