The Ultimate Guide to MACHU PICCHU

One of the most amazing trips I have ever had, was to Machu Picchu. But the truth is that, had it not been for the excellent tips that I got from several friends, it would have been more complicated and expensive. So I’ll share with you guys my Ultimate Guide to Machu Picchu.

Things you should know before your trip

Traveling to Machu Picchu is a great adventure and a popular destination for tourists from around the world. Here are some things you should know before planning a trip:

Location

Machu Picchu is located in the Andes Mountains of Peru, about 50 miles northwest of the city of Cusco.

Getting there

The most popular way to reach Machu Picchu is by train from Cusco or the nearby town of Ollantaytambo. Alternatively, you can hike the Inca Trail, which takes about four days, or take a bus to the town of Aguas Calientes and then hike or take a bus up to the site.

Entrance fees

Visitors must purchase a ticket to enter Machu Picchu, and there are different types of tickets available depending on the time of day and the areas of the site you want to visit. It’s recommended to purchase tickets in advance, as they can sell out quickly.

Weather

The best time to visit Machu Picchu is during the dry season, which runs from May to September. However, it can still rain during this time, so be sure to bring rain gear. The wet season runs from October to April.

Altitude

Machu Picchu is located at an altitude of 7,970 feet (2,430 meters), so visitors may experience altitude sickness. It’s recommended to spend a few days in Cusco or a nearby town to acclimate before visiting Machu Picchu.

Accommodation

There are several hotels and hostels in the town of Aguas Calientes, which is the closest town to Machu Picchu. It’s recommended to book accommodation in advance, especially during the high season.

Guided tours

It’s recommended to take a guided tour of Machu Picchu to learn more about the history and significance of the site. There are several tour companies that offer guided tours in English and other languages.
 

 

What to buy at least one month in advance

This is a trip you should try to plan with time ahead, because many things will be way more cheaper this way and you’ll be able to enjoy all the attractions. 

• Train ticket to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) either by Inca rail https://incarail.com/ or Peru rail https://www.perurail.com/
• The entrance to Machu Picchu
• If you want to climb the mountain Huayna Picchu buy it 3 months in advance.
• Hotels in each city (Cusco and Aguas Calientes)

 

As soon as you arrive, go outside and to the left side of the exit you’ll find most of the taxis that are not the airport officials but they are safe and way cheaper.

They charge you around 10 soles top, we negotiated it to 8 😉

Finding a Tour Agency

When arriving in Cusco we went to the “Plaza de Armas” and there we found many tour agencies.

If you buy the tour from an agency outside Peru it gets almost 3 times more expensive.

It’s better to hire one in Cusco, so we only searched for three and then chose the one that gave us the best option as most of them have similar fares.

 

 

In Machu Picchu you have the option to climb the mountain Machu Picchu (this is not the city, has the same name only) or the mountain Huayna Pichu (if you booked and bought in advance) in either case, you should take this into account:

Pink tip

 

Important tips for Machu Picchu

Get ready for your hike

• Wear sunscreen! no matter how you see the weather, and use it all over the body.  You really don’t know the places where the sun hits you and you don’t even realize. Word from experience.
• Mosquito repellent, it is amazing how many tourists suffer from mosquito bites, plus the repellent I recommend taking a month before your trip vitamin B and iron, Bedoyecta or Emamina, this makes a shield against mosquitos, it’s great for kids too. 
• Don’t forget your sunglasses. This are my favorite for both men and women. 
• Cap or beanie. 
• Comfortable clothes and tennis/hiking shoes.
• Patience, good condition and attitude as these are mountains that you should take into account that their level is medium to high.
• Bring water and snacks.

 

It all depends on what time of year you go, but it is very common that the weather gets half crazy and usually rains, so I recommend that you wear a raincoat, gloves and clothing suitable for both cases, cold and warm, whatever the month, and use layers as it is changing from one moment to another.

This raincoat is my favorite as you can pack it anywhere, is so light and cool.

 

 

 

Itinerary

My friend and I went 7 days and had time to do many things, I share our itinerary for you to use as a guide for your trip.

Day 1

Getting adapted and choose the perfect tour.

We arrived at Cusco around 2:00 pm, we settled in the hotel and went out to look around the city and search for the tours for the next day.

 

Day 2

Tour Day

Our first tour was to Sacred Valley. Secondly, we stopped at Pisaq and finally Ollantaytambo where the train station for Aguas Calientes was waiting for us.

Our train ticket was for 4pm, so it gave us perfect time to do all the tour and then go to the station.

For less stress, we decided to leave our big suitcases at the hotel in Cusco and bring only a small bag pack for the night in Aguas Calientes.

Aguas Calientes

We arrived in Aguas Calientes at 6:00pm. As soon as we arrived we bought the ticket for the bus to Machu Picchu, because the bus leaves really early the next day.

We settled in the hotel, we dined at the restaurant “El Indio Feliz” a popular place for tourist, but pretty cool actually. And then went to bed early.

 

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Day 3

Got ready for Machu Picchu!

We woke up reeeeally early to be at 4 am in the line for the bus because they start to go out at 5:00 am, and believe it or not, people are lined up from 3 am or earlier.

So I recommend being there with an hour or an hour and a half in advance.

 

Ready to know the city!

Machu Picchu

Finally we where inside, out tour guide was really good, and gave us pretty cool information about the hole city.

After the tour of the Inca city, do not forget to put the stamp of Machu Picchu in your Passport at the end of the trip!

Then go up and down the mountain Machu Picchu,this takes you a couple of hours more, so consider that after the tour of the city you are already tired, but we didn’t regret the effort. 

We opted to go down to the village on foot, but if you prefer you can buy the round bus ticket and get down more comfortable. (I recommend it, other wise you can get pretty tired like me).

Back to the town Aguas Calientes

Already in Aguas Calientes again, we took the train back, but now to the station of Porey, which is closer to Cusco.

There you can take a taxi or bus that charges you like 10 soles, or some tours includes you to pick you up in the station.

 

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Day 4

Second tour

Tour of Maras and Moray in the morning and in the afternoon the City Tour (Sacsayhuaman, Cathedral, Qoricancha, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay)

 

Day 5

Hiking: The Rainbow Mountain or The Mountain of 7 colors.

This hike will take you all day, but was my favorite.

Our tour picked us up very early in our hotel, then we had a first stop to have breakfast. There we had some coca tea, and continued our trip to the mountain Vinicunca.

You can chose to go by foot all the way up, or grab a donkey for half the way, it all depends on what you want, and both are great experiences.

I was lucky to meet new traveler friends including Helen from @Helenysumochila. She has great content and has traveled to very interesting places.

 

 

Day 6

Last Tour

Tour of South Valley or Valle Sur, which includes Tipón, Pikillacta and Andahuaylillas.

This tour started early but finished around 3 pm so you still have half the day to wonder around. 

From there we ate in a restaurant called The “Papachos” it’s famouse for its burgers (Seriously, I know it’s not typical, but they were really good , and have very exotic Peruvian ingredients haha  and it is a very popular place.)

I recommend the burger Cusco.

 

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Night Out!

We are getting to the end of our Ultimate Guide to Machu Picchu. And for our last night in Peru, we went in the evening to a bar, you can find several by the Plaza de Armas, and then go to dance to Changos or Mama Africa.

If your flight leaves very early, get everything ready, and don’t sleep haha it is worth not to sleep as long you have a great good bye night.

 

 

Day 7

Back to reality

We returned to our home land. 🙁 Buahhhh

 

How much does it cost?

Now… In almost all agencies outside Peru are going to charge you a lot!

So here I will put the basic expenses of our trip and how we managed it.

The Tour included

Tour cost

Sacred Valley Tour, tourist guide in Machu Picchu, transportation of the return of Poyol or Ollantaytambo to Cusco, tour of Maras and Moray including the entrance to the “Salineras”, the trip to the mountain of 7 colors, were they picked us up at the hotel, they gave us breakfast, a tour guide, lunch and the return to Cusco, and finally the tour of South Valley.

Cost of all: 290 soles (90 DLs aprox)

Fees

The entrances of the places are not included on the tours, for that, you can buy a “Pass” in Cusco that includes all the tickets, it is worth getting it, instead of paying every time you enter a place. Costs: 130 soles (20 DLS)

The entrance to Machu Picchu: 152 soles per person. 

Entrance to Mountain of 7 colors 10 soles (3 dollars aprox)

Donkey ride: 100 soles (30 DLS aprox)

Transportation

The bus that takes you to Machu Picchu costs $12 one way and 12 dollars back.

The executive train costs 154,000 soles back and forth for foreigners.

Important:

Another important thing, in the airport of Peru it can be a problem to carry alcoholic bottles etc, if you buy one in the city ask them to give you a ticket to check that you bought real alcohol, otherwise buy it in the duty free area, as I had the misfortune to get my bottles checked out and opened at the airport.. I almost killed them.