Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Machu Picchu in Peru
We had always dreamed of visiting Machu Picchu. We were always in awe of the iconic view we saw in travel magazines and online. It felt magical looking at photos; so when we had the opportunity to see it in person, we had so many emotions. It was breathtaking and we felt in the presence of something very special.
This was one of our top experiences so we wanted to share not only how to get there and helpful tips, but also what it felt like visiting the ruins.
About Machu Picchu
The magical view we had dreamed of seeing with our own eyes
Machu Picchu is one of the seven wonders of the world and is considered the “Holy City of the Incas”. It sits deep in the Andes mountains of Peru. One of our favorite things we learned was how the buildings were built to align with astronomy. The sky was a very important part of the Inca culture, so they built structures that would allow the sun to pass through.
How To Get There
Since Machu Picchu is hidden deep in the mountain range, it’s a process to get to the famous view overlooking the ruins. Here was how we got there:
We took a train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. The train ride took about 1.5 hours with beautiful views through small villages. Only small luggage was allowed on the train so we kept our larger luggage back at the hotel.
We then hopped on a bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. This was a 30 minute ride up a steep and winding road which dropped us off at the main entrance.
When we arrived, we got in line at the gate. Once we entered, we hiked 20 minutes for .5 miles before arriving at the famous view overlooking Machu Picchu.
Nothing prepared us for the feeling when seeing Machu Picchu. It was breathtaking and felt magical. Standing at the overlook, we both got goosebumps thinking about the history in those ruins and wanted to learn more about the lost civilization.
After taking in the incredible view, we explored the ruins below. We loved learning more about who lived here and their history. We highly recommend having a guide when exploring the ruins!
Helpful Tips
Here is a list of a few tips we were given when visiting Machu Picchu:
Secure your entry tickets early online or through a tour company. There are only a certain amount of daily entrances.
You will need your passport during entry, so make sure to bring it with.
Make sure to acclimatize. Cusco is a great spot to fly into and spend a couple days.
Weather can change quickly so bring layers and a rain jacket. While the hike warms you up, it can be chilly when getting to the top.
Bring mosquito repellant, especially when you’re standing around admiring the view.
Pack plenty of water. There are no water refill stations after you get past the gates so you’ll want to pack enough for the day.
There are also no bathrooms past the entrance gate, so make sure to go before you enter.
The dry season is May - October. This gives a better chance of seeing Machu Picchu and not having to worry about rain while visiting.
Climbing Machu Picchu Mountain
We made it to the top!
Machu Picchu Mountain was an intense and rewarding hike. It’s a 2.4 mile out-and-back hike that has 1,800ft of elevation gain. Most of the hike was spent climbing small steps.
Once we reached the top, we were rewarded with a much-deserved view of Machu Picchu. It sits a lot higher than the main overlook so we enjoyed this elevated perspective!
Contrary to what you might be thinking, Machu Picchu mountain isn’t the peak you see in the pictures of Machu Picchu. That peak is called Huayna Picchu (also called Wayna Picchu) and we had great views of it from our summit.
-
Machu Picchu was one of our most memorable locations. It’s filled with rich history and breathtaking ruins. We hope this inspires you to visit Machu Picchu one day!
