Thousands of travelers a day travel from all over the world to visit the renowned Machu Picchu. Everyone is amazed by the breathtaking beauty that surrounds the site. Fascinating ruins, a unique ecosystem, and otherworldly views. Within the high Andes of Peru is where Machu Picchu takes place. Traveling to this iconic and impressive Inca archaeological site is part of many travelers’ adventure lists. Being able to enjoy the wonder of the world is usually the peak of every trip in Peru. But an adventure of this magnitude requires careful planning and accurate Machu Picchu information. Therefore, Cusco Peru Travel, as travel specialists, will share smart advice with you. With so much Machu Picchu Information to know, it is a good idea to check these essential data.
The most important Machu Picchu information that you should know
First things first, why choose a Machu Picchu vacation? A famous and prominent South American writer once said: “Machu Picchu is a trip to the serenity of the soul, to the eternal fusion with the cosmos; where we feel our fragility. It is one of the greatest marvels of South America. A resting place of butterflies in the epicenter of the great circle of life. One more miracle.” Pablo Neruda was able to summarize in a few lines what the popular Inca citadel does to its visitors. With this in mind, you can realize why thousands of visitors make the pilgrimage to visit this fascinating and spiritual archaeological site, right?
Being a popular destination, it is very important to make arrangements well in advance. With the correct Machu Picchu information, your trip will be unforgettable.
First of all, among all the Machu Picchu information available, you have to know how to get to the citadel. And you can only access Machu Picchu from the city of Cusco. And the Imperial City can only be reached by plane or bus ride. Many popular destinations offer trips to Cusco. Within an organized tour, you will find several popular ways to get to the Inca Sanctuary from Cusco. One of the most adventurous options is the Inca Trail. But the Machu Picchu tour from Cusco is often done on a scenic train ride. The train ride is one of the easiest, fastest, and most comfortable options to get to the Inca ruins. This scenic 3.5-hour train journey will take you along the Urubamba River in the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas. Depending on your budget, you can even enjoy the exclusive Hiram Bingham train.
There are two train companies responsible for transporting tourists, IncaRail and Peru Rail. Both fascinating options that have different services. Keep in mind that the train will not exactly arrive at the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. The train will arrive in Aguas Calientes, the small town at the bottom of the valley below Machu Picchu. This place, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo, is the access point to the Inca Citadel. Once there, you have two options: take a bus or walk to the entrance of Machu Picchu. The Inca citadel is available to the public from 6 AM to 5:30 PM.
Regulations are an important part of all the Machu Picchu information. You should know that the Peruvian government has limited the number of visitors to the Inca Citadel to only 2,500 per day. Therefore, we recommend that you buy your ticket in advance to avoid disappointment. Especially if you plan to travel during peak season (June to September). We know of some cases of travelers who arrived in Cusco in August with the hope of obtaining their tickets for the following days. But, sadly, the entrance tickets were sold out. They were deeply saddened and disappointed. Disappointed is putting it mildly. For this reason, we know that it is highly necessary to reserve your tickets at least 6 months in advance.
Also, tickets are no longer on sale at the entrance of the Sanctuary. You must buy your tickets directly on the official website of Machu Picchu, through a travel agency or an authorized ticket agent. Real names and passport numbers are needed to purchase entry tickets. Please note that they cannot be exchanged once the ticket has been issued. These will be reviewed at the entrance to Machu Picchu. And if you are looking to be climbing Machu Picchu and its complementary routes, then make sure to buy the corresponding tickets. You can choose to climb the Machu Picchu mountain or the Huayna Picchu mountain, both excellent routes. But you won’t have time to do both on the same day. The tickets of these routes can be obtained next to the entrance of Machu Picchu.
You may already have noticed that the Machu Picchu trip cost has several factors playing into the total cost. The cost will vary widely depending on which experience you want to have and what is included in your tours. If you are not in a rush, you can have the best hike experience of your life hiking the Inca Trail. It is a 26-mile trek that lasts over 4 days. This historical Inca Trail will immerse you in the world of the Incas. The popular route will take you through along ancient Inca ruins, narrow paths, valley views, and beautiful mountain scenery, ending at the majestic Machu Picchu. According to the Machu Picchu information, the Inca Trail was the original way to get to the citadel.
No doubt walking the Inca Trail will be an unforgettable, magical and mystical experience. But how much does this experience cost? Approximately US$500-600 per person, depending on the tour duration and group size. Take into consideration that treks with large groups cost less than private and smaller tours.
Contrarily, if you only have a few days to travel, the train journey will be perfect for you. As we mentioned before, the railway line follows the Urubamba’s riverbed. You will see the typical vegetation of the Peruvian upper jungle. Train prices can be quite a bit cheaper. Prices can range from US$150-200. But if you have the chance, be sure to experience the Hiram Bingham luxury train. It features live shows, gourmet cuisine, wine tasting, welcome cocktails, and top-quality service. One of the best ways to get to the Inca citadel in style.
A relevant fact about the Machu Picchu information is you will find that the complex is quite extensive. With an area of more than 35,000 hectares, the sanctuary of Machu Picchu is a complex of beauty without parallel. The Lost City of the Incas has approximately 200 buildings, each with a specific purpose. Furthermore, it can be classified and divided into two main areas. The first area is the urban stretch, which served administrative purposes. The second area is known as the agricultural zone, which is made up of terraces and canals that provided irrigation.
In addition, you will be able to appreciate some of the most outstanding Inca structures. Among them, one that will surprise you the most when climbing is The Sun Gate in Machu Picchu or Intipunku. This is the first area that you will visit when arriving from the Inca Trail. Other places that deserve your attention are the Royal Area, The Intihuatana, The Sacred Square, and the Main Temple, just to mention a few. You will be able to feel how the Inca energy will flow everywhere.
It depends on the experience you want to have, the route you plan to take, and if you prefer a bit of solitude or meet with other travelers. Machu Picchu is located in a subtropical zone which makes it an all-year-round destination. Its temperatures range from 8° to 22°C, and the highest temperatures reach 27°C. From May to September, there is less likelihood of rain. So, these are the most popular months to visit the Sanctuary but also the busiest. January and February are the wettest months, in other words, the least popular. You can choose which month is suitable for your journey!
Besides, Machu Picchu is located 2,430 meters above sea level. Take some time to acclimate to the altitude when reaching Cusco. The longer you spend here, the more you will be able to enjoy your Machu Picchu experience. You can take advantage of and enjoy the many tours in Peru available before embarking on your adventure.
The most essential Machu Picchu information is knowing what to bring and what not to bring. Along with the new citadel regulations, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Among the elements that you need to carry in an essential way are:
Among the items that you do not want to take on your trip are:
“CERTAINLY, TRAVEL IS MORE THAN THE SEEING OF SIGHTS; IT IS A CHANGE THAT GOES ON, DEEP AND PERMANENT, IN THE IDEAS OF LIVING.”
We hope that all this Machu Picchu information has been useful. If you want to know more about this wonderful site, we advise you to visit it and see what it is about! There is no better way to experience this place than on a guided tour. If you want to know how to organize your trip to Peru, you can consult with our qualified advisers. They will be willing to help you with everything! The Machu Travel Peru team hopes to have guided you a bit. With our years of experience, we know very well how to enjoy an adventure in the Inca citadel.
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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