How To Visit Machu Picchu
Undoubtedly you’ve heard of Machu Picchu but what you may not know is how to get to the ruins of this ancient Incan civilization secretly tucked away in the Andes Mountain range in Peru.
Machu Picchu is what first drew my attention to Peru many years ago and it’s easy to see why it was named an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. It was famously rediscovered by Yale professor Hiram Bingham in 1911 (although its existence was already known by local farmers and European explorers) and is one of the most important archaeologic sites in the world. The collection of expertly crafted temples, plazas, and homes is concrete evidence of the incredible Inca Empire. It was thought to have been inhabited by the Inca elite and abandoned in the 16th century to avoid its discovery by the Spanish conquistadors. However because the Incas had no written language or records there are more mysteries that remain about the site than answers. It appears to have been a site for religious ceremonies and rituals with the very purposeful alignment of temple windows with the sunrise of the summer and winter solstices.
Because of it’s location, Machu Picchu takes a little bit of effort to get to even in our modern world of technology and transportation. First, one must travel from Lima to Cusco (just 1.5 hours by plane). From there you can either decide to do a 2 or 4 day hike on the Inca Trail or take a combination of other modes of transportation including car, bus, and train to reach Aguas Calientes (or Machu Picchu Pueblo). If doing the Inca Trail it is recommended to arrive in Cusco 2-3 days beforehand to adjust to the altitude and prevent altitude sickness as Cusco’s elevation is over 11,000 feet above sea level. If forgoing the strenuous trek, I highly recommend taking the Vistadome train car on Peru Rail on the way to Aguas Calientes to enjoy the incredible panoramic views (Inca Rail is an alternative train option). In addition to a train ticket you will also need to purchase a shuttle bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (an approximately 20 minute ride) and entrance tickets to Machu Picchu itself. Note that there is no point of sale at the entrance to the site but tickets can be purchased online. It is recommended to buy your ticket at least 1 week in advance during rainy/low season (November-April) and 2-3 months in advance during dry/high season (May to October). There are several circuits or routes to choose from when purchasing your Machu Picchu tickets but if you want the classic postcard view you should chose circuit #2. For an additional cost you can also choose to hike Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain but you should plan to book at least one month in advance. Finally, the best way to avoid crowds is to do the 6AM entrance (the lines were packed as we were heading out at 10:00).
Now if all of that sounds terribly overwhelming and like a lot to plan, I highly recommend booking through a tour company such as Salkantay Trekking. They offer 1 or 2 day Machu Picchu tours as well as guided Inca Trail or Salkantay Treks and other excursions. The benefit of using Salkantay Trekking or a similar company is that not only will they book your train/bus/Machu Picchu tickets and accommodations in Aguas Calientes for you, but you will also have a local guide to provide fascinating history about Machu Picchu and its people as your explore the ruins.
Machu Picchu was every bit as magical as I always dreamed and is worth all the hype and effort it takes to get there. If you’ve ever considered this epic destination this is your sign to book the trip!
