Tips for Machu Picchu: Essentials Before Your Visit

Travelers at Machu Picchu

Visiting Machu Picchu is a dream for thousands of travelers every year. To make your experience unforgettable and free of setbacks, here are Tips for Machu Picchu based on the daily practice of our guides at Travels to Machu Picchu. Throughout this article, you’ll discover the best times to visit, required documentation, what to pack, and how to make the most of every minute among the sacred mountains.

These Tips for Machu Picchu are clearly and dynamically organized—from early planning to your return home—so you can enjoy every step of your adventure. We also include Recommendations for Machu Picchu and suggestions on how to Travel to Machu Picchu sustainably and responsibly.

1. Documents and Tickets: Ensure Smooth Entry

Always carry your original passport, physical or electronic tickets, and your train and bus tickets. A quick check before leaving your hotel can spare you a lot of stress at checkpoints. Remember that entry to Machu Picchu is regulated by strict time slots; if you miss your window, you might be denied entry.

• Valid passport readily accessible.
• Printed or digital tickets (cloud backup recommended).
• Train and bus tickets verified the night before.

2. Smart Packing: Only the Essentials

Regulations limit backpack size to 40 × 35 × 20 cm. Food, drones, tripods, and trekking poles without rubber tips are prohibited. Here’s a quick guide:

3. Designated Routes Within the Citadel

Authorities have established one-way circuits to protect the site. Choose your route based on your ticket:

1. Classic Circuit 1 – upper viewpoints and descent to the sacred area.
2. Extended Circuit 2 – includes agricultural terraces and the Sacred Rock.
3. Short Circuit 3 – ideal if you have less than two hours.

Remember: no backtracking is allowed, so pause and enjoy each scenic spot.

4. Basic Services: Restrooms and Food

Restrooms are only available outside the main entrance; the cost is S/ 1 and toilet paper is not always provided. Have a hearty breakfast in Aguas Calientes. If you bring snacks for the train ride, eat them before entering: rules are strict and fines are high.

5. Choose the Train That Suits Your Style

There are three main services from Ollantaytambo:

• Peru Rail Expedition – practical and affordable, with large side windows.
• Vistadome – panoramic windows and onboard cultural show.
• Belmond Hiram Bingham – full luxury with gourmet lunch and open bar.

Many of our travelers find that combining the Sacred Valley tour with the night Expedition train strikes the perfect balance between price and comfort.

6. Acclimatization and the Sacred Valley

Cusco sits at 3,400 m (11,150 ft) above sea level. We recommend spending one or two days exploring the Sacred Valley before heading to Machu Picchu. Visit Pisac, Moray, and the Maras Salt Mines so your body can adapt and your mind fall in love with Incan history.

Recommended Excursions

• Pisac and its artisan market.
• Moray – Incan agricultural laboratory.
• Maras Salt Mines – over 5,000 pre-Incan salt pools.

7. Book Ahead: Tickets and Guides

In high season (May–October), combined entry Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu can sell out up to four months in advance. If you want to summit Machu Picchu Mountain or the newer Huchuy Picchu, buy your ticket at least three weeks in advance.

Benefits of Hiring an Official Guide

A licensed professional not only enriches your visit with archaeological insights and local anecdotes but also helps you manage time efficiently and take great photos. Private services last about three hours and are well worth the cost.

8. Best Dates and Weather

From April to October, rain is minimal and skies are clear. However, UV radiation is high and nights are cold. Between November and March, fog adds mystery to the landscape and orchids bloom spectacularly—though trails can be slippery. A great cultural option is to visit in June, during Inti Raymi and Cusco’s anniversary.

9. Additional Hikes: From Inti Punku to the Inca Trail

If your adventurous spirit seeks more, consider:

• Huayna Picchu – 2 km steep climb; dizzying views.
• Machu Picchu Mountain – 3 km, wider panoramic trail.
• Huchuy Picchu – short, family-friendly option.
• Inti Punku – the Sun Gate, free with standard ticket.
• Inca Trail – 4 days, 42 km of imperial heritage.

All require good physical condition and advance bookings. Our Travels to Machu Picchu team can manage permits and logistics.

10. Respect and Sustainability: Leave Only Footprints

Machu Picchu is a World Heritage Site and belongs to all Peruvians. Follow these practices:

1. Do not touch or lean on Inca walls.
2. Take your trash back to Aguas Calientes.
3. Avoid shouting or playing loud music.
4. Use biodegradable repellent and sunscreen.
5. Support local artisans by buying certified products.

With these simple actions, you help future generations enjoy the same magic as you.

Taste Peru: Nearby Cuisine

After your hike, treat your palate to lomo saltado, grilled trout, or traditional baked guinea pig. The San Pedro Market in Cusco and the Municipal Market in Aguas Calientes offer authentic and affordable menus.

11. Health at Altitude: Take Care of Your Body

Navigating between 2,040 m at Machu Picchu and 3,400 m in Cusco takes an extra toll on your lungs. Altitude sickness may cause headaches, nausea, and drowsiness. To prevent it, drink at least three liters of water daily, eat lightly during the first 48 hours, and avoid alcohol. Local infusions like coca leaf or muña tea ease mild symptoms. If discomfort persists, our Travels to Machu Picchu staff will accompany you to the nearest medical center.

Don’t forget a health insurance plan that covers helicopter evacuation; while rarely necessary, high jungle terrain can make land transport difficult. Make sure your policy includes adventure sports if you plan to hike the Inca Trail.

12. Photography and Best Viewpoints

Each sunrise transforms the ruins into a canvas of golden light. Head to the Guardhouse sector between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m. to capture the classic postcard view without crowds. At midday, descend to the Sacred Plaza and look for compositions with Huayna Picchu in the background. At sunset, the last rays highlight the agricultural terraces, showcasing the contrast between stone and greenery.

• Inti Punku: great for capturing the citadel’s silhouette with the valley backdrop.
• Intihuatana Stone: best shadows and textures at noon.
• Lower Watchpost: unique angle of the Temple of the Sun.

Set your camera to manual mode, use a low ISO (100–200), and aperture f/8–f/11 for maximum sharpness. A wide-angle lens (14–24 mm) helps capture the vastness of the setting. Remember, tripods are not allowed; gently stabilize your gear on walls without causing damage.

13. Budget and Payment Methods

Careful cost planning is essential for Traveling to Machu Picchu. Divide your budget into four categories: transportation, food, lodging, and additional experiences. The following table includes examples for a 3-day/2-night trip per person:

Bring cash in soles for tips and markets; cards are accepted at most restaurants, but fees can be around 5%. Use secure ATMs in Cusco before you depart.

14. Travel Insurance and Assistance

Before your trip, check that your insurance covers weather-related cancellations, respiratory illnesses, and train delays. January and February can bring landslides that disrupt railways. Travels to Machu Picchu offers an optional protection upgrade that covers extra lodging and rescheduling of tickets at no cost.

15. Local Culture and Responsible Etiquette

Every great adventure is based on mutual respect. Greet locals with “Allin p’unchay” (good morning in Quechua) and negotiate artisan prices with a smile, not aggressive haggling. Always ask before photographing locals, especially in rural communities. Participating in a “Pago a la Tierra” — an offering ritual to Pachamama — is a meaningful way to give back to nature for the experience lived.

16. Cusqueñan Cuisine You Must Try

A visit to the Andes wouldn’t be complete without tasting its cuisine. Start with a comforting chairo soup, made with beef, dehydrated potatoes, and aromatic herbs. Follow with lomo saltado, a stir-fry that blends Peruvian tradition with Chinese technique. For the bold, baked cuy (guinea pig) is a festive dish served with native potatoes and peanut sauce. For dessert, try queso helado—a cinnamon-flavored frozen treat—and pair it with high-altitude coffee from Quillabamba.

Restaurants in Aguas Calientes often offer tourist menus starting at S/ 25, while fine dining in Cusco can exceed S/ 120 per person. Whatever your choice, prioritize places using ingredients from certified local farmers to support the rural economy.

17. Souvenirs and Handicrafts with Social Impact

Take a piece of your journey home with certified alpaca textiles, replica Inca ceramics, and silver jewelry engraved with Andean symbols. Avoid items made with feathers or protected species. A baby alpaca scarf can range from S/ 200 to S/ 450 depending on the design—be sure it has an authenticity label.

If you want to dive deeper into local culture, join a small weaving workshop in Chinchero or pottery class in Raqchi. Not only will you gain a unique keepsake, but you’ll also support families preserving ancestral techniques.

Conclusion and Next Steps

With these Tips for Machu Picchu and our best Recommendations for Machu Picchu, you’re ready to enjoy an Andean adventure without setbacks. Ready to turn your dream into reality? The Travels to Machu Picchu team is available 24/7 to plan your customized trip, book your tickets, and ensure seamless logistics.

Contact us now: WhatsApp +51 984 363 748 | info@travelstomachupicchu.com

Remember, every step on the Inca trail breathes history and nature. With careful planning, responsible choices, and a respectful attitude, your visit will become a transformative experience. Our local coordinators will handle every detail—from the moment you land in Cusco to your safe return home. Share your photos, your stories, and your smile: the magic of the mountains lives on in those who honor them.

We await you among clouds and mountains so you can discover, with our experts, why Machu Picchu remains the jewel of the Andes. Pack your camera and join the adventure!