Machu Picchu tickets

Has Machu Picchu been on your bucket list for a long time? Do not worry, it is the same for many people all over the world. Have you been putting off going to Peru for many reasons like work or family commitments? Does all this sound familiar? well, isn’t it time to start to think about your trip to Machu Picchu and let´s face it there is no time like the present to make your dream a reality. You will also be thinking about what is the best time to go to Machu Picchu and about Machu Picchu tickets and what you need to do to get into this Wonder of the World.

In years gone by, you could easily show up at Machu Picchu and get into the site by paying at the gate, but not anymore, the government of Peru has now imposed strict guidelines on how many people enter the ruin every day. Why is this so you may ask? They are trying to preserve the site for future generations and the stress on the site was becoming apparent.

It is a good idea to start your journey to Machu Picchu having secured your tickets before you leave home. There are several easy ways to get your entrance tickets and before we go on you will need to know that there are two entrances daily, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

The first way to purchase your Machu Picchu ticket is online. Select the type of ticket that you want, for example, Machu Picchu only, Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain. Select the dates and how many tickets you want and do not forget to select if you want the morning or afternoon. If you are traveling with children there is a discount and children under eight are free. The website is VISA friendly.

Another way to purchase Machu Picchu tickets is by finding yourself a travel agent to buy the tickets for you. There are many travel agents in the city of Cusco and all over Peru that will buy the tickets for you for a fee, do some online research on the company and see comments on travel websites before paying for the tickets. This is a great way to feel secure that you have purchased your tickets. Use websites like Trip Advisor and FindLocalTrips.com to get a good idea on who is reputable and who is not.

The final way is in person, you can buy your tickets in person at these two places, Direccion Regional de Cultura office in Cusco, address Casa Garcilaso on Calle Garcilaso, and they are open from 7 am to 8 pm Monday to Saturday. The second place is in Aguas Calientes is located in Avenida Pachacutec, not far from the main square, they are open from 5 am to 10 pm Monday to Sunday, always check the government website for updates on the opening time for both offices.

There is no best time to go to Machu Picchu with the pros and cons of all year. If you do not like the rain than you should go in the dry season, the dry season will see more people at the ruin and longer lines or if you prefer to go in the wet season, yes, it will rain, but it does not rain all day and the crowds are fewer.

There are several ways to get to Machu Picchu, the first and what most people do is to go by train from the city of Cusco. The journey takes around 4 hours and you will pass through some breathtaking scenery and some pretty little villages before reaching the quaint town of Aguas Calientes.

The other alternative to reach Machu Picchu is to trek. There are many different alternative treks on offer but without a doubt, the most popular is the Inca Trail, a 4-day hike that is hard work but the rewards are endless. See cloud forests, spectacular peaks and breathtaking Inca ruins, all finishing at the Inca Citadel. An achievement that will last in your memory a lifetime.

Here are some fun Machu Picchu facts for you.

Most of the Inca civilization was destroyed by the Spanish when they took over in the mid-1500s. Machu Picchu was built on the top of a mountain at nearly 8,000 feet (2,430 meters) above sea level, meaning it was not visible from the ground below making it one of the most remarkable and well-preserved Inca cities.

The Incans were some of the best masons in the world. The structures, staircases, and shelters that were built fit perfectly and it is said that 70-80% of what is seen today at Machu Picchu is original.

In Quechua, Machu Picchu means “old mountain” or “old peak.”

Built during the 14th century and lost for over 400 years. It is said that Germans discovered the site in the 1800s and did not make a big deal about it. The official discovery date is July 24, 1911, by Yale professor Hiram Bingham.

The indigenous language of the Andes is Quechua and for a long time, it was only a spoken language. That is why the history of Machu Picchu is still being discovered.

Do some research and get all the information you need on your Machu Picchu tickets and book early to avoid being disappointed.

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.