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 specific issues you ought to be conscious of earlier than coming into the sacred grounds of Machu Picchu. Due to this fact, we’re right here to offer you the ten issues to know earlier than visiting Machu Picchu, so you may have an unforgettable go to.
Be sure that 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 entire journey paperwork at hand
It’s good to have all of the prepare, bus, and entry tickets at hand when doing all your Machu Picchu tour. It’s fantastic if in case you have them as digital tickets in your cellphone. Scroll right down to the underside for extra tour info.
To be on the protected facet, it’s clever to print them out in case you expertise web points or run out of battery. For those who didn’t print the tickets at dwelling, don’t panic; your resort in Cusco or Aguas Calientes will aid you.
This additionally applies to your passport. To your go to to Machu Picchu, all the time carry your unique passport with you.
2. Take the shuttle bus as a substitute of mountain climbing
You’ve 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 notably spectacular as a result of there aren’t any wonderful sights alongside the best way. Provided that the path twists steeply into the jungle, it’s a relatively difficult trek. By the point you get to the entry, you’ll in all probability be drenched in sweat.
That’s why we advise taking the 25-minute bus journey. It’s good to buy the tickets upfront, every approach being $12.
For those who’re a eager hiker, take a look at 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 in case you go to Machu Picchu. You received’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 digicam, a cellphone, a small water bottle (ideally one that may be reused), sunscreen, insect repellent, and many others. Meals, nevertheless, is forbidden. Due to this, we strongly advise you to eat a filling breakfast and/or carry snacks with you on the journey to Machu Picchu.
Moreover, you aren’t allowed to carry tripods, drones or selfie sticks with you. Typically the guards are very strict, generally they aren’t and don’t even verify your backpack. Nevertheless, you ought to be ready for the previous and observe the foundations.
Additionally, sporting applicable clothes is essential as a result of the Andes’ local weather is susceptible to sudden shifts. We advise sporting sturdy footwear, 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 fastened routes
You have to persist with a set path the whole time you’re on the guided tour. This implies you may solely go in a single course.
Returning to one of many beforehand seen areas just isn’t doable!
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’ll 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 will solely strongly warn you from doing it.
It’s possible you’ll now be questioning, “Why?” It’s as a result of this stamp just isn’t an official passport stamp. There have been numerous vacationers who had difficulties coming into different nations, as this stamp invalidated their passport.
We suggest you carry a postcard, a be aware block or a T-shirt in case you really need the Machu Picchu stamp. However don’t get your passport stamped.
6. Buy your tickets early
Generally, the sooner you e book your tickets, the higher. This fashion, you may select your most popular entrance time to Machu Picchu.
For those who 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 in the course of the excessive season of Might by October, it is best to reserve your tickets to Huayna Picchu not less than two to 3 months upfront. For Machu Picchu Mountain, reserving a couple of weeks earlier than is often fantastic.
You’ll take pleasure in a panoramic view of the Machu Picchu ruins and the environment from each summits.
7. Use the lavatory earlier than coming into
As there aren’t any bogs contained in the archaeological complicated of Machu Picchu, we urge you to make use of them earlier than coming into particularly as you’re unable to depart and re-enter Machu Picchu after you move the doorway.
In different phrases, until you may have bought a second admittance ticket, there isn’t a approach again in as soon as you’re exterior.
Our recommendation: carry some tissues with you as a result of many bogs 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 top of over 11,000 toes, 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 permits your physique to steadily modify 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’ll aid you 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 consists of 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.
Ebook your Sacred Valley expertise straight with the tour operator right here.
9. Select the “greatest” prepare choice
There is no such thing as a prepare 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 prepare corporations that supply journeys to Aguas Calientes. We’ve got examined each and like PeruRail due to their seemingly newer prepare and included snack service. Our journey on Inca Rail was so bumpy that we have been afraid our espresso would fly by the prepare. Usually the value distinction between the 2 trains may be very small and might improve barely in the course of the excessive season.
You’ll be able to’t management your selection of seat. Nevertheless, if you’re touring as a pair, it’s virtually all the time doable to get seats subsequent to one another by arranging them accordingly, and the prepare workers will assist with this even when no prior seat association has been made”.
Going to Machu Picchu by prepare leaves you with three totally different prepare choices. Let’s check out them.
Expedition prepare – the usual prepare
The massive home windows of the PeruRail Expedition prepare permit you to admire the breathtaking surroundings as you journey to Machu Picchu.
The prepare is supplied with comfy seats, tables, air con, heating and bogs.
You should utilize the PeruRail Expedition Prepare for one-way or spherical journeys between Cusco and Machu Picchu. It’s also doable to board the prepare within the Sacred Valley. The prepare departs from Poroy (Cusco), Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu.
Throughout the journey you’ll have the chance to purchase meals and drinks.
Vistadome prepare – barely extra comfy, panorama home windows and on-board leisure
The Vistadome trains supply a singular and particular option to journey to Machu Picchu.
That is the extra luxurious choice, the place you may sit in vehicles 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 provided a snack with regional merchandise from the Andes.
On the best way again, you may even take pleasure in a style present in your carriage the place genuine alpaca child wool clothes are offered, together with unique alpaca clothes developments on the market.
On the best way to the Inca citadel, the Vistadome provides 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 prepare – luxurious prepare with on-board meals, open bar and extra
Have you ever ever dreamed of touring by the Peruvian Andes in a prepare that resembles a 1920’s Pullman automotive? The Hiram Bingham Prepare not solely makes it doable, it makes this magical journey an unforgettable expertise with customized service that takes care of each element of your journey.
The most costly of the three prepare choices is the Belmond Hiram Bingham Prepare, named after the discoverer of Machu Picchu – Hiram Bingham. This luxurious prepare journey is likely one of the most luxurious prepare experiences in Peru.
The unique Belmond Hiram Bingham Prepare options a chic eating space and bar, and the open roof of the prepare automotive provides distinctive views of the breathtaking surroundings.
Start your expertise with a welcome cocktail. As soon as on board, you’ll be handled to a connoisseur 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 vehicles and are furnished with gleaming picket furnishings and huge comfy 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.
For those who plan on a “common” journey to Machu Picchu, we propose taking the Expedition prepare to go to Aguas Calientes and the Vistadome as your return prepare.
Greater than that, we suggest taking the prepare to Machu Picchu from Ollantaytambo after your Sacred Valley tour, staying the night time in Aguas Calientes and taking the prepare again on the following day. This lets you have a extra relaxed expertise. Extra about this beneath.
10. Spend the night time in Aguas Calientes
Why do you have to keep the night time 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. Because the first prepare 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 night time in Aguas Calientes lets you sleep in slightly longer and enter Machu Picchu at 6 am, earlier than the crowds.
The day journey from Cusco or Aguas Calientes are each wonderful selections. Nevertheless, it is best to keep in Aguas Calientes if you wish to expertise Machu Picchu with out the crowds.
Personal 1 day Machu Picchu prepare tour
A day journey to Machu Picchu is usually hailed as probably 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 shall be flawless with this fastidiously curated tour. You’ll uncover picturesque areas superb for capturing unforgettable moments by the lens of your digicam.
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.
Value: from USD 369 per individual
Select from all three prepare 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 consists of:
- Return prepare tickets
- Personal guided tour of Machu Picchu with a educated English-speaking information
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
- Entrance charge to Huayna or Machu Picchu mountain (if chosen)
- Shuttle bus Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
- Lodge choose 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 concentrate on 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 have been capable of put together you in your unforgettable journey to Machu Picchu.
Whilst you’re planning your Peru itinerary, take a look at these different locations to go to in addition to Machu Picchu!
