The Ultimate Machu Picchu Travel Guide

Each year, about 1.5 million people visit Machu Picchu, the ancient Peruvian citadel full of impressive architecture and jaw-dropping views. But getting to Machu Picchu requires lots of pre-trip planning, as logistics can be tricky with numerous ticketing options, trains, buses, hikes, and tour operators in the area. My own trip to Machu Picchu required extensive planning and packing and wouldn’t have been possible without pre-trip research. I consulted with Thomas Robinson, Travel + Leisure A-list travel advisor with Dehouche and frequent South America traveler who has been to Machu Picchu over 15 times; and Emmanuel Burgio, founder of Blue Parallel, who has been visiting Peru for more than 20 years and started the luxury travel company with a single destination: Machu Picchu. Here’s how to plan your Machu Picchu trip, from trains and buses to tours, hotels, and everything in between. 

Reasons to Visit

Machu Picchu is a must-see destination for lots of travelers because it is an engineering marvel in an incredibly remote location. “It’s a testament to Incan ingenuity and one of the most breathtaking archaeological sites in the world,” says Burgio. “The site’s dramatic location, hidden high in the Andes and surrounded by misty peaks and lush jungle, adds to its mystique.” Anyone interested in ancient history, nature, and adventure should see Machu Picchu to learn about how the Incas built this mysterious citadel. You will also have ample opportunities to hike in and around the site—arguably the best way to fully immerse yourself in the area. 

Best Time to Visit

Machu Picchu is a year-round destination, so you’re able to access the site all year long, but there are some caveats. Robinson of Dehouche notes that the dry season in this part of the Andes runs from April through October, which means these are the best months for hiking. However, within that period, July and August can be very busy, as can the period around the winter solstice, when a big festival called Inti Raymi in Cusco brings in crowds; it’s celebrated on June 24 each year.  “I personally recommend the shoulder season months, namely April/May and September/October as the best times to go,” says Robinson. “You tend to get the best weather and not so many crowds.” 

Burgio agrees, saying. “June through August is the busiest time of year, so visiting in March through May or September through October offers a good balance of pleasant weather and fewer crowds,” he says. “March and October are considered part of the wet season but have fewer rains and are still great months to visit.”

How to Get There 

You can get to Machu Picchu by train, bus, or on foot. From Lima, you’ll need to either fly to Cusco or take the bus from Lima to Cusco, which can help you acclimate better and avoid altitude sickness over the course of the multi-day journey. From Cusco, a train or bus will take you to Aguas Calientes with a 3.5-hour ride along the scenic Urubamba River in the Sacred Valley. From Aguas Calientes, you will then take a bus to Machu Picchu. It’s worth noting that the Cusco train station is actually in the town of Poroy, which is about nine miles away from the city center. However, you can only get a direct train from here during the dry season from May to September. Outside of these months, you will have to get a transfer to Ollantaytambo, 50 miles away from Cusco, or Urubamba, a 20-minute drive from Ollantaytambo.

Trains

Three train options will take you to Machu Picchu: the Belmond Hiram Bingham train, Inca Rail, and Peru Rail. The Belmond Hiram Bingham train is the most expensive option and a posh way to get to Machu Picchu with 1920s-inspired, wood-paneled interiors and brass finishes. As you wind through the Sacred Valley next to the Urubamba River, you’ll be served meals inspired by local flavors and can enjoy a drink in the bar car. Expect menu items like a local catch of the day, ceviche, Peruvian causa, and pisco sours. Inca Rail and Peru Rail both offer stylish and cozy trains as well, with different options including trains with open-air balconies and panoramic observatory cars. Book as far in advance as you can, as tickets can sell out. 

On my own personal journey to Machu Picchu, I took the Peru Rail train directly from my hotel in Urubamba, Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa. This made travel much easier, as I just walked to the on-site train station from my hotel room. There’s also Rio Sagrado, a Belmond Hotel, which allows you to board the Belmond Hiram Bingham train directly at the hotel. 

Hikes

If you want something more adventurous, you can hike to Machu Picchu with organized treks (with varying degrees of difficulty) along the Inca Trail, which is closed every February for maintenance. Prepare to camp if you choose a hiking option.

G Adventures offers a four-day, round-trip trek from Cusco, which travels past ancient ruins and along rivers to get to Machu Picchu through the rugged mountainous terrain. Inca Jungle has a trip that combines mountain biking and white water river rafting along the hike. Burgio, the founder of Blue Parallel, says his company can arrange for a luxurious multi-day hiking adventure with private camping along the way. Traveling this way gets you a private chef and dining tent, a portable shower and portable toilet, and porters to carry equipment and luggage. 

Robinson recommends the lesser-known KM 104, or “Royal” Inca Trail, to many of his clients, which is a one-day hike that ends at the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu. You’ll take the train halfway from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu, alighting at the KM 104 mark where you cross the river to begin the trail. Pass by a couple of archaeological sites that are little-visited (including the stunning Wiñay Wayna), and then pick up the same final section as the more famous multi-day Inca Trail. “This way, you can experience some of the emotion of arriving at Machu Picchu on foot on the historical Inca pathways, without needing as much time or the need to camp (and contend with hordes of backpackers!),” he notes. 

Burgio recommends making the strenuous three-hour hike up to the summit of Machu Picchu Mountain. “It’s the most intimate way to experience the site of Machu Picchu due to the limited number of travelers who attempt the ascent,” he says. “And, it overlooks the entire complex, boasting iconic views of Huayna Picchu Mountain in the backdrop.”

The Salkantay Mountain treks are another less-crowded option. You’ll hike around Salkantay Mountain, which sits at more than 20,000 feet, to get to Machu Picchu. Lots of companies offer Salkantay treks, but Apus Peru offers an extremely challenging four-day hike. Robinson also recommends a lodge-to-lodge Salkantay trek. “It’s great for those who want a physically challenging option combined with comfortable accommodations en route.” 

To immerse yourself in the local Quechua culture, take the Lares trip to Machu Picchu with Mountain Lodges of Peru, which includes hiking in the Andes plus time with Quechua communities before you get to Aguas Calientes to see Machu Picchu. Mountain lodging is included. 

Archaeology buffs will enjoy Choquequirao, an Incan site in southern Peru that has similar architecture to Machu Picchu. Hike through the steep Apurimac Canyon to explore the Choquequirao site, then head to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu afterward. 

How to Book 

You should book your Machu Picchu trip at least six months in advance. Tickets are sold through the government’s website, but it’s highly recommended to book a Machu Picchu experience via a local guide or respected tour organizer. These companies can assist you with coordinating train times, buying tickets, and understanding the bus to and from Aguas Calientes. 

Best Things to Do in Machu Picchu

Exploring Machu Picchu itself is worth the effort to get there, but seeing the Temple of the Sun is special. The temple was used to make sacrifices and hold religious ceremonies, and only priests and high-ranking Incas were allowed access inside. Hiking the Inca Trail is also highly sought-after, as is climbing up the dramatic Huayna Picchu Mountain with all its stairs. Visit the Sun Gate at sunrise for incredible views of Machu Picchu, and see the Intihuatana stone, a clock or calendar used by the Incas. 

“For clients that are interested in the spiritual side of Machu Picchu, we have organized shamanic ceremonies and coca leaf readings with local Indigenous spiritual leaders inside the site itself, which is an incredible experience,” says Robinson. “There’s also a very little-known butterfly farm just at the bottom of the road to Machu Picchu that provides a fascinating tour focusing on the biodiversity of the surrounding forest and gives another perspective on the region.” 

Each ticket to Machu Picchu is different and may not include everything mentioned above. You’ll want to know ahead of time which sites you want to see the most, and then have your tour guide get a ticket that works best. Be sure to keep small bills and coins on hand for bathroom access and bring your passport to get into Machu Picchu. 

Best Hotels and Resorts Near Machu Picchu 

Robinson recommends Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel in Aguas Calientes, a family-run property on the edge of Aguas Calientes that’s close to the bus pickup points. “They have spacious and comfortable suites, spa services, and some of the best food in the region,” he says. The Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, also in Aguas Calientes, has 83 adobe casitas plus lush gardens, fireplaces in select rooms, and 12 acres ideal for birding walks. Hostels, such as Nativus Hostel in Aguas Calientes offer affordable options for backpackers with shared and private rooms. 

You’ll find more options in Cusco, including the Palacio del Inka, A Luxury Collection Hotel, which is where I stayed after leaving Machu Picchu. The hotel is housed within a 500-year-old mansion in the heart of Cusco and sits across from Qoricancha, or the Temple of the Sun. The Belmond Hotel Monasterio is another beautiful option housed in a former Jesuit seminary, and Inkaterra La Casona is a boutique property housed in a 16th-century manor house. 

Best Places to Eat 

Though Peru is home to some fantastic restaurants, there aren’t a ton of options in and around Machu Picchu yet. You can always pack your own lunch to eat when you get to Machu Picchu and have a post-trip celebratory meal in Lima or Cusco, where there are lots of great options.

In Aguas Calientes, both the Inkaterra and Sumaq hotels have great restaurants that are open to non-guests, and Restaurante Indio Feliz has French-Peruvian fusion dishes. Mapacho Craft Beer Restaurant has Peruvian dishes and local craft beer, and the area around Avenue Pachacutec is home to small cafes and bars. See if you can find a chicha, a fermented (or non-fermented) corn drink that’s popular in the region, or chicha morada, a sweet Peruvian drink made from purple corn. 

Packing Tips 

Robinson says that comfortable walking shoes are essential, as are good-quality hiking layers. “Machu Picchu has semi-tropical weather, and temperatures can drop down low with weather changing quickly,” he says. A light raincoat is also important to have, plus bug spray, sunscreen, and a reusable water bottle. If you’re sensitive to altitude sickness, medication can be a game changer, so you can ask your doctor about it beforehand. “Drones and selfie sticks should be left at home, as they are (thankfully) prohibited in and around Machu Picchu,” he says. Umbrellas, walking sticks, and trekking poles are also prohibited, and those who need sticks or poles for walking need to use protective rubber tips on the ends. 

Trains have baggage restrictions, so pack a smaller overnight bag with just the essentials to visit Machu Picchu. “Overall, less is more and light layers that easily squash down are the best options,” he says. “There’s no need for any fancier clothes, as it’s very much a hiker’s aesthetic in the entire area.