A Complete Travel Guide to Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is a mysterious and magnificent ancient city in the Andes, Peru. With towering peaks and steep canyons, it is a lost city that points to the sun but is forgotten by the gods. If you are also interested in this ancient city and want to discover its beauty, act quickly on your Peru tour with this complete travel guide to Machu Picchu!

What Is Machu Picchu?

Machu Picchu was built around 1450 AD during the Inca Empire. Some research suggests that it was either the royal estate of King Pachacutec or a sacred center for the Inca Empire's political, religious, and economic leaders. Without steel, wheels, or iron tools, the Inca built this incredible ancient town that has stood for centuries in a region prone to earthquakes and heavy rain.

Best Time to Visit Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is divided into a dry season and a rainy season. May through September is the dry season with lovely weather, which becomes sunny and favorable. The average temperature during this time is around 20 degrees centigrade. This is the peak tourist season, and visitors will gradually increase. At this point, you can start your outdoor exploration with the lovely sunny weather! Step into this lost city and explore the mysteries of an ancient civilization to your heart's content.

The rainy season is from October to April, when the climate is wetter, and frequent showers will occur. During this period, you can avoid the crowds and enjoy discounted hotel rates. As a famous attraction open to visitors all year round, you can catch the lush and lively Machu Picchu with warm temperatures. Make sure to carry a raincoat with you to avoid the sudden rainfall.

Visitors Increase in Dry Season

Where to Visit in Machu Picchu

Temple of the Sun

Looking around Machu Picchu, there is no doubt that the distinctive curved wall of the Sun Temple is the eye-catching focus. If you are interested in ancient timekeeping, this place will tell you about a timing method used by the ancients. Through the sun's shadow, you can learn how timekeeping was done in ancient times. It is said that on June 22nd every year, you can see the light, the window, and the granite in the center of the Temple in a straight line.

The Sacred Plaza

Stands out in the Sacred Plaza is the Intihuatana Stone, which means the ability to bind the sun. Walking on the north side from the Intihuatana Stone, you will see the Temple of Three Windows next to the main temple, which is one of the most important temples in Machu Picchu. You can see three neatly arranged trapezoidal windows in the massive stone wall facing the Andes. You can see the Andes mountains from the window. Here, also left a secret. How were these temples built without the help of large machines?

Temple of Three Windows

Terraces

Terraces are one of the greatest achievements of Inca culture. They were patchy and reflected the advanced level of agriculture at that time. Moreover, in Machu Picchu, if you stand on terraces and walk through them in different positions, you will be impressed by the wisdom of the Incas. Here, stones from small to large were placed in turn under the terraced fields, which can guide the rainwater to be quickly diverted and avoid localized collapse. It is this layout that keeps Machu Picchu from collapsing due to soil erosion and stands here today.

Terraces of Machu Picchu

How to Explore Machu Picchu

Cross the Inti Punku

On the high mountain around Machu Picchu, there is a fortress called Inti Punku. If you want to see the whole Machu Picchu, you can come here. After climbing the step leading to the peak, you can see the first ray of morning light shining through the mountains on the Andes, reflecting the light of the sun in the mountains. If you are lucky to catch the morning period, you can see the whole Machu Picchu reflected in the golden sunrise when the red sun rises from behind the Inti Punku.

Up to Huayna Picchu

Find a great spot to take memorable photos of Machu Picchu, and head to the mountain behind the ancient sites. This mountain is Huayna Picchu. There is a different view up here. Two paths can bring you to the mountaintop: a short path that takes 3 hours to travel back and forth and a long path that takes 4.5 hours to complete the whole hike. On the way, you can visit the Moon Temple and terraced fields. You can rest on the terrace enjoying the beautiful scenery of Machu Picchu. Different choices have different scenery, but you won't miss the marvel of Machu Picchu.

Watching the Sunrise at Watchman's Hut

To witness the mysterious ancient city slowly emerge amidst the mist, you can take the left-hand path up to the guardhouse Watchman's Hut, the high point south of the city, where you will overlook the entire Machu Picchu archaeological site. In addition to being one of the best spots, this is also a great place to watch the sunrise. The sun rises slowly from the horizon, and its brilliance puts a glittering coat on Machu Picchu. The whole site is slowly showing its full face.

The Sun Light on Machu Picchu & Huayna Picchu

How to Get to Machu Picchu

On Foot - Inca Trail Hiking

If you want to hike in Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail route is classic. It needs to be booked in advance as it is very popular. This route will take four days and three nights. It combines mysterious archaeological sites, breathtaking mountain scenery, and dense cloud forests full of flora and fauna, and you'll have plenty of time to take photos with them and record your wonderful moments. On the last day, you can reach Machu Picchu, the city in the sky. If the weather is clear, you can see the ruins slowly appearing along the path. However, hiking the Inca Trail can be tiring because of the altitude sickness. Do not underestimate it!

By Train

There are also two train lines from Cuzco to Machu Picchu. One is Peru Rail, and the other is Inca Rail. Either way, their journey takes about three hours, and there are three types to choose from. One is Hiram Bingham, with only four carriages. There is an exclusive band on board, Michelin dinner, and drinks all the time. You can enjoy tea, wine, and meals anytime with a band playing on the way. The second is the Vistadome 360° View train. This train has an oversized viewing window and a top household observation deck, so you can have a panoramic view of the Andes just by sitting in your seat. The third is Expedition, a regular train. There is no entertainment in the car, but the fare is cheaper.

Cuzco's City View

How Many Days Do I Need in Machu Picchu

For essential sightseeing, usually, a one-day trip is enough. From the popular attractions, the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana pyramid, the Square of the Temple, Sacred Rock, and Twelve Spans, to Netflix photo stops, you can take one day to learn about the shining of this ancient site briefly. But for more mysterious exploration or an exciting hiking experience, you can spend one week here to have a detailed experience of the Inca Trail Hiking, considered one of the best routes to go deeper and explore different parts of the ruined citadel.

Recommended Tour Itinerary

Peru Adventure Tours with Inca Trail Hiking 10 DAYS Explore This Tour

Where to Stay When Visiting Machu Picchu

To witness the charm of Machu Picchu, Aguas Clientas will be an excellent place to stay. You can stay in Aguas Clientas on the first night, and there are many hotels for you to choose from. The following morning, about half an hour's drive can take you to Machu Picchu. If you want to participate in Inca Trail Hiking, you must be prepared for camping. During hiking, you must carry sleeping bags, clothes, personal items, and drinking water, and you will camp outdoors at night. Other large luggage will be carried by staff. When you finish your hiking trip, you can choose to rest in Aguas Clientas or start a new journey continuously.

Travel Tips and Suggestions

1. Machu Picchu can buy tickets online in advance with a real name. Because tickets are limited daily, booking tickets in advance would be a good idea if you want to go here.

2. The opening hours of each attraction are different. To avoid delaying your trip, it is recommended to check the scenic information in advance.

3. Wear long-sleeved trousers. Machu Picchu has ultraviolet solid rays, and clothes can help you protect yourself from the sun. Sunglasses, sunscreen, hats, and other sun protection items are also necessary. And you need to be aware that Machu Picchu does not allow umbrellas. In addition, there are many mosquitoes in Machu Picchu, and long-sleeved trousers can also help you avoid being bitten by them.

4. Pay attention to altitude sickness. Because Machu Picchu is in the Andes, with an altitude of more than 3,000 meters, you may experience altitude sickness. Therefore, it is recommended that you stay in Cuzco one night in advance and leave for Machu Picchu the next day. If you want to stay overnight here, you can stay at Aguas Calientes, where the house price won't be that high.

5. Machu Picchu prohibits carrying tripods, selfie sticks, and drones inside. In addition to this, large luggage is not allowed. You can store your bulky luggage at the hotel and carry a backpack to start your journey.

Protect Yourself From the Sun

Travel Peru With Odynovo

Machu Picchu is a witness of time and a carrier of Inca culture. It has exquisite architectural art and ingenious integration with nature. When you come to Peru, don't miss this World Heritage Site. Traveling with Odynovo, you will feel the charm of this ancient treasure.