Everything you need to know to plan the perfect visit to Machu Picchu — from getting there and buying tickets to the best viewpoints and what to pack.
At a Glance
Getting There Step by Step
The classic route is Cusco → train to Aguas Calientes → bus to the citadel. PeruRail's Vistadome and Expedition trains depart from Poroy (20 min from Cusco centre) or Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. Inca Rail is the main competitor and often cheaper if booked early. The train ride itself is spectacular — the descent from the high plateau through cloud forest into the Urubamba gorge is one of the great rail journeys in South America.
Tickets: What to Know
Purchase tickets exclusively through the official government portal at machupicchu.gob.pe — third-party sites charge large markups. You'll choose an entry time slot (6 AM, 7 AM, 8 AM…), a circuit (1–4), and whether to add optional peaks (Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain). Circuit 1 is the classic panoramic route and most popular. Circuit 4 extends to Inti Punku (Sun Gate) for exceptional views of the whole citadel. Passport numbers are required at purchase and checked at the entrance — do not send anyone else's passport details.
Best Time to Visit
The dry season (May–October) gives the clearest skies and warmest weather, but June–July are the busiest months on earth at Machu Picchu. The wet season (November–April) brings lush green scenery and dramatically thinner crowds, and the famous 'morning mist rolling over the ruins' photographs that travel magazines use almost always come from the wet season. If you're flexible, late April or early May is the sweet spot: the rains are tailing off, the vegetation is vivid green, and the crowds haven't arrived yet.
Altitude & Acclimatisation
Machu Picchu sits at 2,430 m — lower than Cusco (3,400 m) — which makes it gentler, but altitude sickness can still affect visitors arriving directly from sea level. Spend at least two nights in Cusco before visiting, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol on arrival days, and consider coca tea (widely drunk and legal in Peru). If you're coming from Lima, fly — don't take the 20-hour bus directly to Cusco and then rush to Machu Picchu the next morning.
What to Pack
Layers are non-negotiable: mornings can be 10°C with mist and midday can reach 22°C with direct sun. Wear comfortable waterproof walking shoes — the stone paths are uneven and slippery when wet. A rain jacket is essential regardless of season. Bring 1.5L of water per person (no plastic bottles permitted; use a reusable bottle). Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses are essential above the cloud line. No tripods are permitted. A small daypack is fine; large rucksacks are checked at the entrance.
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