On any visit to Peru or even South America, you must visit Machu Picchu. The site in recent years has been voted one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Hidden for centuries on the edge of the Peruvian Amazon, the site is not to be missed on any visit. Thousands of visitors flock to the site every year, making it one of the most visited sites in the world. This past year the Peruvian government has passed new rules restricting the amount of visitors every day, to help protect the site. Historians are still unsure to the purpose of the site and who exactly built Machu Picchu. We do know that it was a special place for the Inka people and there were many religious ceremonies held there. We also know that the site was only inhabited for around 100 years and was abandoned for unknown reasons. The most likely reason is the remote location and the difficulties faced by the people regarding water and food. Most of the known history of Machu Picchu you will learn on your guided tour of the ruins. When you are planning your trip to Peru and Machu Picchu you may ask yourself what is the best time to go to Machu Picchu?
Visiting Machu Picchu has its positives and negatives all year round. The site has two seasons wet and dry. Firstly let talk about the wet season and the benefits of visiting the scared site in this season.
The wet season also considered the summer season at Machu Picchu is from November to April. It is called the wet season as it does rain. Saying it rains means it will rain at some stage during the day, making the site wet. It does not however rain all day. It may rain for an hour or two but the rest of the day, you will be able to continue your tour without problems. The steps will be a little wet so you will need to take care, but with the proper footwear, you will have no problems.
One of the benefits of the wet season is there are less people visiting Machu Picchu, there are no lines to enter the site, there are no lines to take the bus to Machu Picchu. Your tour will be less rushed and you will have more time at each point of interest. For some people this matters more than the rain. The wet season is a good time to visit Machu Picchu.
Next, let us talk about the dry season or winter. The dry season is also a great time to visit Machu Picchu. The skies are clear and a wonderful shade of blue. The days are warm and inviting, the nights and mornings are cold and crisp.
The crowds however are large. There are lines to get into Machu Picchu are long you may need to wait around an hour to enter the site. There are also lines to take the bus to Machu Picchu. Hotel reservations are also harder to get so you will need to book in advance. You will not have rain but you will have the crowds. Another advantage is the flowers after the rainy season are a delight to behold. The dry season is also a great time to visit Machu Picchu.
If you plan a luxury Inca Trail trek on your next Peruvian vacation, the season will play a big part in your decision. The wet season will be a little more uncomfortable and you will need good wet weather gear and waterproof shoes. However, the cloud forest is worth seeing and this is more likely in the wet season. Remember that the trail is closed in February for maintenance.
The Inka Trail trek in the dry season is a wonderful experience, but as mentioned before the trail is crowded and as the government of Peru only allows a certain amount of permits per day you will need to book at least six months in advance. The dry weather makes the trail a little more comfortable but can be slower and you will be caught behind slower hikers.
There is plenty of luxury Machu Picchu hotels to choose from, at the gates of Machu Picchu is the exclusive Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, with many benefits for the client the hotel is an unforgettable experience. In the town of Aguas Calientes below Machu Picchu, there are the lovely Machu Picchu Pueblo hotel with its beautiful orchid garden.
Getting to Machu Picchu is also a luxury travel experience, with many different styles of train to choose. The deluxe Hiram Bingham train is a journey in luxury not only for the train lover but also for travelers who love the experience. Travel through the Sacred Valley with the most spectacular views of the Andes. The train is something not to be missed if you love the mysterious adventures of the 1920 Pullman trains.
So if you are considering at trip to Peru, think about the best time to go to Machu Picchu. What is the best time for you? When do you have time? Do not miss a luxury tour to Peru and Machu Picchu.
Peru has many wonders waiting for you to be discovered. Here in Cusco Peru Travel, our speciality is to make your trip an outstanding experience, fill-in this form and let your tailor-made luxury Peru vacation begin.
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