22 Dec The Different Ways to Visit Machu Picchu Explained
Visiting Machu Picchu, one of the 7 new wonders of the world, is practically on everyone’s bucket list. But what most don’t know is that there’s different ways you can visit, all of which provide unique experiences.
Beyond that, planning a trip can be confusing. Machu Picchu attracts more than 2,000 visitors per day and there’s a lot of red tape and information around traveling to the Incan city – especially in a post pandemic world.
If you’re planning a trip to Machu Picchu, you may be wondering things like how far in advance you need to book a ticket, if a tour or trek is best, if it’s possible to go on your own, how much everything costs and where to book everything.
I can answer all of this for you in this post.
I’ve laid out all the different possible ways to visit the Incan citadel so that you can choose which works best for you with details to make it happen.
But before I get into the different options available for visiting Machu Picchu, it’s important to note that there are several components to a trip there no matter how you decide to visit (trek, tour, or on your own). The elements to every Machu Picchu trip include:
1) How you get to Aguas Calientes from Cusco or Ollantaytambo (could be by train, trekking, or bus)
2) If you want to stay in Aguas Calientes overnight before or after visiting Machu Picchu
3) How you get to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes (by walking up and down the stairs or taking the bus)
4) The way in which you want to enter Machu Picchu, what’s included in your ticket, and the route you take walking through the ancient city. I’ll get into this more later but essentially there’s:
- Sun Gate vs. a main entrance
- If your ticket includes Machu Picchu only or one of the following: Huayna Picchu, Huychuy Picchu, or the Machu Picchu mountain
- Route you take through the ancient city: there are 4 different circuits
All of this will become more clear as I get into the various options, but keep these components in mind when you read on (especially if you have preferences) and ultimately decide which experience to settle on.
What's in this post
Click to skip ahead
Four Different Ways to Visit Machu Picchu
*This post includes affiliate links and I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. By using my links you’re merely supporting what I love to do: write this blog! I only recommend products/companies that I use myself.
Additionally, World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, I receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. I do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
A Map of Places Mentioned in Post
Option 1: A Guided Salkantay Trek
Salkantay is a very popular 4-5 day trek to Machu Picchu that leads you through diverse environments beginning with an alpine lake called Humantay, the Salkantay mountain pass, and down through the jungle to Aguas Calientes. For those who are looking for an alternative to the Inca Trail, this is a fantastic option to reach Machu Picchu and was one of the major highlights of my Peru trip.
Each day is entirely different so you experience many beautiful scenes and because Salkantay is such a popular trail, there are truly unique accommodations available along the way. Depending on your tour operator you could be sleeping in a glass capsule under the stars or in a triangular frame cabin. While the trail can be challenging and does involve higher altitude, it has been completed by people of varying levels.
Length of trek including visiting Machu Picchu:
4-5 days (you can choose) and is 72 km (approx. 45 miles).
Price:
Anywhere from $200 – $600 USD
Departure from:
The Salkantay trek leaves from Cusco. When joining a guided group the tour operator should be responsible for picking you up from your accommodation the day of departure.
Planning Details:
Salkantay can be booked ahead of time online or in-person from a number of tour companies in Cusco. When booked in-person, it’s likely you’ll get much, much better prices than online. However this likely means a last minute reservation, which is risky in terms of securing a Machu Picchu ticket. Not impossible though!
For me, I arrived in Cusco 5 days before I wanted to depart for Salkantay and was able to book my Salkantay trek with the Machu Picchu ticket included, no problem (and for very cheap!). There’s no way to know if I was super lucky though, so if you want that in-person trekking price, but don’t want to risk the Machu Picchu entrance ticket then you could book it separately online. More on that later or click to skip ahead.
Recommendation for Where to Book salkantay:
I went with Marvelous Peru who was recommended by a friend and was not disappointed. The food was incredible, my guide was patient and very, very knowledgeable about history. My intimate group of 7 also had unique accommodation through out the trek, and things were well coordinated.
Machu Picchu Details:
From which entrance will you enter Machu Picchu? For the Salkantay trek, you’ll enter Machu Picchu through the main entrance with the option of the upper terrace (Circuit 1 & 2) or lower platform (Circuit 3 & 4). I go into this in more detail later.
Ticket inclusion? Most Salkantay treks usually include the ticket but you can also get it separately on your own, which I recommend doing ahead of time if you plan to wait and book your trek in Cusco.
Pros of doing Salkantay Guided Trek to Machu Picchu:
- Great alternative to the Inca Trail (cheaper and possible to book last minute)
- Diverse scenery, a stunning trek even without Machu Picchu
- An affordable and unique experience
- Your trekking tour guide will also act as a guide to tell you about Machu Picchu as you visit
Cons of doing Salkantay Guided Trek to Machu Picchu:
- 4-5 days could be too long for some people’s Peru itinerary
- Could be too physically challenging for some (although there are some accommodations available such as riding a horse instead one or more days)
Option 2: The Inca Trail
The Inca Trail is a widely known bucket list trek because it follows the actual route that the Quechua originally would walk to reach Machu Picchu as a part of their religious pilgrimage. It also involves entering Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), the holy city’s original entrance. In an attempt to preserve the way as much as possible, this is a more exclusive way to visit the ancient city, as there are a limited number of permits awarded per day.
Length of trek including visiting Machu Picchu:
The classic Inca trail is about 40 km (25 miles) and spans over 4 days and 3 nights.
Price:
Anywhere between $500 – $1000 USD but averages $800
Departure from:
Cusco, when joining a guided group the tour operator should be responsible for picking you up from your accommodation the day of departure.
Planning Details:
There are only 500 permits available for the Inca Trail per day, and 300 of those go to guides and porters meaning there are only 200 permits available per day to tourists. As a world-known trek, you can imagine how quickly it fills up. Therefore it’s recommended you book the Inca Trail online 5-6 months in advance.
Recommendation Where to Book:
I’ve not done the Inca Trail, however I’ve heard good things from a friend who did it with G Adventures. It’s also highly rated here on GetYourGuide and if you’re looking for shorter Inca Trail trip, there’s a 2 day option here.
Both G Adventures and GetYourGuide are established tour agencies, if you decide to book elsewhere make sure to check reviews to be sure it’s reputable since this is such a more exclusive experience.
Machu Picchu Details:
From which entrance will you enter Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail? The original Sun Gate Entrance which will take you down through Circuit 1 and then your group should be able to re-enter the lower terraces. Be sure to inquire about this when reserving your trek (more on the different circuits later).
Ticket inclusion? Your Machu Picchu ticket should be included in the Inca Trail package.
Pros of doing the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu:
- The original path to Machu Picchu and a major thing to check off your bucket list
- Your trekking tour guide will also act as a guide to tell you about Machu Picchu as you visit
- Entering through the original Sun Gate
- You should be able to tour both the upper and lower terraces of Machu Picchu
Cons of doing the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu:
- It’s the most expensive way to visit Machu Picchu and needs to be booked far in advance
Option 3: Taking a Tour to Machu Picchu
If you’re not interested in trekking to Machu Picchu, there are several tours available that you can join. This is a great option if you’re looking for a convenient way to visit or are short on time.
The main variances between different tours will be the length of time (1 vs. 2 days), where the tour departs from, and if any other destinations are included.
Below are some different tours I would recommend. Most include the Machu Picchu ticket but I would double check with companies when booking. You can also find agencies in Cusco but will take a slight risk getting your entrance ticket last minute.
Machu Picchu Details:
From which entrance will you enter? You’ll enter Machu Picchu through the main entrance. Depending on the tour they may offer all circuit options or only have one available, so you should inquire about this (I explain these more later in post).
Ticket inclusion? Unless the tour price only includes transport and a guide, the Machu Picchu ticket should be included in the cost. However, as always I recommend double checking.
Pros of visiting Machu Picchu with a tour:
- Easy and convenient way to visit, especially if you’re limited on time
- You’ll have a tour guide to explain history
Cons of visiting Machu Picchu with a tour:
- You’re at the mercy of your tour group and there may not be flexibility on the time you visit Machu Picchu – for example if you specifically wanted the morning time slot but the tour leaves Cusco in the morning so only afternoon slots are available.
Option 4: Visiting Machu Picchu On Your Own
If you’re not into tours at all or are on a lower budget, then it’s possible to visit Machu Picchu on your own in several different ways. Essentially you just need to figure out these 4 elements to your trip:
1) How you wish to reach Aguas Calientes (bus + trek or train)
2) How to reach Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes (the bus or hiking the stairs)
3) You need to have purchased the Machu Picchu ticket ahead of time on your own
4) You need to have a way back to Cusco
How to get to Aguas Calientes on your own:
There are several ways to reach Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu.
First is the famous train which leaves from Ollantaytambo. It’s easy to catch a collectivo to Ollantaytambo from Cusco (at Puente Grau), and because the Sacred Valley is a fantastic trip of its own I actually recommend staying at least one night before catching the train to Machu Picchu.
The second way to reach Aguas Calientes would be to take a minibus/collectivo to Hidroelectrica and then either take a train from there or hike the 10 km on the train tracks to Aguas Calientes. Walking along the train tracks is a good option if you want to do a little bit of hiking before Machu Picchu without doing a longer trek. This “trail” is a part of the Salkantay trek and I can affirm that it is really beautiful 10 km.
A third option would be to complete the Salkantay trek on your own which will lead to Aguas Calientes. As far as multi-day trekking goes, this is actually a pretty straight forward trek to put together. There are hostels all along the way which means you don’t need any camping gear and there’s a lot of information online so it’s relatively easy to plan and complete self-guided.
The last option for reaching Aguas Calientes on your own would be to walk entirely along the train tracks from Ollantoytamba. You can read more about that in A Long Dusty Road’s blog post.
Getting to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes
Depending on when you arrive in Aguas Calientes and when your Machu Picchu ticket time slot is, you could go directly there or stay in the town overnight. There are many hotels and hostels so I would recommend staying at least for one night so you can enjoy Aguas Calientes a bit. It’s a really cute town!
To get to Machu Picchu from the town, there are then two options. First there’s a bus that runs every 15 minutes or so to the top and costs about $12 USD one way. You can purchase this ticket at the box office in Aguas Calientes (I recommend the night before if going in the morning) or purchase it here online. Note the bus is first-come-first-serve so make sure to arrive early to stand in line.
The second option is to hike the 1,600 steps to Machu Picchu which begins here. If you do this, make sure to bring a lot of water!
Pros:
- Visiting on your own allows you more freedom to tailor your trip
- It’s totally do-able
Cons
- There’s a few trip elements and because this is an extremely popular experiences it’s important that you’re organized and plan it well
- You won’t have a guide to explain the history of Machu Picchu – unless you hire one at the entrance
How to book your ticket to Machu Picchu
If you’re joining a Salkantay guided trek, doing the Inca trail, or visiting Machu Picchu with a tour, then chances are high your Machu Picchu ticket is included. Double check this though, and also keep reading so you can request ticket preferences (or if you want to reserve it yourself separately to be sure).
If you’re booking the Machu Picchu ticket on your own, the earlier you reserve the better, however some last minute tickets are sometimes available.
To book your ticket, I only recommend doing it on the official government ticketing website here. It’s possible to find tickets through platforms like GetYourGuide or other tour websites, but in this instance I don’t recommend it. I’ve never heard of a bad experience, but it’s only possible to get a ticket through the government. Therefore any other website is only acting as a middle man who you’re relying on to go to this website for you.
different Machu Picchu ticket options
There are several variations for tickets to Machu Picchu based on three factors:
1) Time. Entrance to Machu Picchu is based on reserved time slots starting at 6 AM – 3 PM. The best slot in my opinion is easily 6 AM because there will be less people and you’ll see the sun rise behind the mountain slowly casting light over the ancient citadel.
2) Circuit. Walking through Machu Picchu is not a “free for all” where you can just wander. In fact it’s pretty orderly and you have to follow a specific path. There are 4 different paths or circuits that you can see below. I suggest watching this video which explains each option.
If you want that classic panoramic view of Machu Picchu that you see in many photos, you want to take Circuit 1 or 2 which include upper terraces.
3) Additional Viewpoints. A basic ticket includes just entrance to Machu Picchu and whichever circuit you choose. However, there are additional viewpoints to add on. These are Waynapicchu mountain, Machu Picchu mountain, and Huchupicchu mountain. This video explains these viewpoints more if you’d like to add them on to Circuit 3 or 4.
Things to Know Before Visiting Machu Picchu
Before you enter Machu Picchu, there’s a few things you should know:
1) All the circuits are only one way which means you can’t turn back. For this reason I recommend going slowly and taking it all in. If you miss that photo you can’t go back! There are staff members throughout Machu Picchu that will tell you off if you try.
2) You cannot leave and re-enter. Once you’re out of Machu Picchu that’s it, there’s no more than one entry allowed.
3) Time slots are strict for when you enter but not for when you leave. If your time slot is at 7-8 AM then you need to enter within that time, however you can walk through slowly without feeling rushed to leave within an hour.
4) Tickets are not transferable. Unfortunately the ticket is only valid under one name and you can’t transfer it to someone else or change the date if you’re not able to use it.
5) No large bags are allowed into Machu Picchu. If you have one with you then there’s a bag storage at the entrance.
The Best time to Visit Machu Picchu
The best time to visit Machu Picchu in terms of weather would be from April – August which is during the dry season. The “high season” for tourism is considered July – August, but honestly Machu Picchu will always be really busy so avoiding crowds is kind of impossible.
If you want to avoid crowds, this depends more on the time slot of your ticket. The best time slot is by far the first at 6 AM. There will be less people and you’ll see the sun rise over the mountains casting light over the city which is pretty magical.
Solo Travel To Machu Picchu
A trip to Machu Picchu is easily done on your own as a solo traveler. Cusco, Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu are all safe and because there’s so many people and tour options, it’s very easy to meet others to join you or even ask for a photo.
I’m a solo traveler myself and I joined the Salkantay trek not knowing anyone in the group, but very quickly we were all good friends and I had the time of my life. If you’re putting off visiting Machu Picchu because you have no one to travel there with, don’t!!
What to Bring with you to Machu Picchu
You don’t need much for a trip into Machu Picchu.
The only things you need to worry about bringing are, sunscreen, bug repellent, your camera (fully charged, don’t forget!), plenty of water (especially if hiking up the steps), your passport, and extra cash in case.
What you wear depends on the season and weather, but it’s always fun to wear the typical alpaca sweater or poncho. Consider also bringing a rain jacket if its rainy season as well, and definitely good walking shoes or hiking boots.
Additional packing items will depend on which trip you decided for Machu Picchu. For example if you need overnight clothing, and if you’re trekking you’ll definitely need more!
Looking for comfortable, supportive hiking boots?
I have some recommendations for you!
As an all-rounder affordable pair of hiking boots that will last, I recommend the Columbia Newton Ridge that are only $75 and have over 13k reviews on Amazon – I love these boots and wear them hiking in the U.S. all the time.
As a second option, I also love my pair of Adidas Terrex GoreTEX (pictured in this post). This line is great if you’re looking for light weight boots (great if traveling internationally) that are tasteful and good quality. I wore these throughout all of my South America travels which included a LOT of trekking in Peru.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is a must on any trip, but especially to Machu Picchu when there’s a few moving pieces and risk for cancellation without a refund. Plus, if you trek you want to make sure you’re covered in case of injury.
My go-to travel insurance is World Nomads which is made for backpackers.
More Resources for Your Trip to Peru:
HOSTELS
Hostels in Peru are very affordable costing on average from $8-10 USD. I always search for hostels via Hostelworld or Booking.com. Below are my favorites in specific areas.
Lima: 1900 Backpackers Hostels
Cusco: Kokopelli Hostel Cusco
Huaraz: Krusty Hostel or Selina
Ica/Huacachina: Banana’s Hostel
Arequipa: Le Foyer Arequipa
HOTELS & AIRBNBS
If you’re looking for a quick stay in a private room, then Airbnb has a lot of affordable options. However, if on vacation and not on a backpacker budget I would go with hotels so you can have a seamless trip. The best place to search in on Booking.com.
Below are some of hotel recs:
Cusco: Kokoa Hotel Cusco or Amaru Colonial
Arequipa: La Hostería Boutique Hotel and Le Foyer Arequipa
Flight to Peru
International flights to Peru are typically cheapest to Lima, but it is also possible to fly into Cusco or Arequipa. To get the best prices I recommend using Skyscanner.
Buses in Peru
Getting around Peru by bus is really easy to navigate. PeruHop is a good option however I preferred to be flexible and book rides on my own. I recommend searching on BusBud for bus options.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is a must for every trip to ensure you’re covered in unexpected situations. My go to travel insurance is always WorldNomads which is made for backpackers. You can search for coverage here.
If you’re a digital nomad looking for travel medical emergency insurance, I also suggest Safety Wing.
Booking Experiences
If you have a flexible trip, I’ll honestly tell you that booking tours & experiences in person is the best & cheapest option. However, if you want to plan ahead especially for multi-day or popular tours, then GetYourGuide typically has the best prices.
Related posts
-
The Different Ways to Visit Machu Picchu Explained
Visiting Machu Picchu, one of the 7 new wonders of the world, is practically on everyone’s buc...
Destination Guides Peru -
What to Bring Trekking in Peru: An Easy Packing List
On a trip to Peru, it’s likely you’re doing at least one multi-day trek whether it’s the Inca Trail,...
Packing Essentials Peru -
Peru’s Huayhuash Trek: Ultimate Guide by a Solo Female Traveler
Named one of the 10 most beautiful treks in the world, the Cordillera Huayhuash circuit should absol...
Destination Guides Peru
Liked this post? Pin it!
No Comments