Machu Picchu: The Complete Guide to Visiting the Lost City of the Incas

Machu Picchu was built in the mid-15th century by the Inca emperor Pachacuti, abandoned less than 100 years later (probably during the Spanish conquest), and sat undisturbed by outsiders for 400 years until American historian Hiram Bingham was led there by a local farmer in 1911. It sits at 2,430 meters above sea level, surrounded by cloud forest, perched on a narrow ridge above the Urubamba River. It is genuinely one of the world's great wonders.

Getting to Cusco

Cusco is the gateway. [Find cheap flights](https://www.aviasales.com/?marker=4132) to Lima, then a connecting domestic flight to Cusco (1 hour). Flying directly saves 22 hours of bus travel.

Altitude acclimatization is mandatory: Cusco sits at 3,400 meters. Plan to spend 2 days in Cusco before visiting Machu Picchu. Symptoms of altitude sickness (headache, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath) affect approximately 30% of visitors. Remedies: move slowly, drink coca leaf tea (available everywhere, legal in [Peru](/destinations/peru)), avoid alcohol first 48 hours, take acetazolamide (prescription medication) if your doctor recommends.

Cusco itself: The former Inca capital has extraordinary colonial architecture built on top of Inca foundations — you can see the precisely fitted Inca stonework supporting Spanish colonial churches. The Plaza de Armas, the Qorikancha temple (Inca sun temple, now a Dominican convent), and the San Pedro Market are essential.

Getting to Machu Picchu

Option 1: Train from Cusco or Ollantaytambo

Peru Rail and Inca Rail both operate the train to Aguas Calientes (the town below Machu Picchu). From Cusco: 3.5-4 hours. From Ollantaytambo (the Sacred Valley, 90 minutes from Cusco by bus): 1.5-2 hours. Book through perurail.com or incarail.com at least 2-3 weeks in advance. Vistadome train has panoramic windows; Hiram Bingham is the luxury option.

Option 2: The Inca Trail

The classic 4-day trek from the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu through cloud forest, Inca ruins, and mountain passes at 4,200 meters. Permits are limited to 500 people per day and sell out within hours of release on the January 1 booking date for the coming year. Book with an authorized operator in January — this is non-negotiable. Operators: Alpaca Expeditions, Peru Treks, Andean Spirit. Cost: $700-$1,500 per person including train back.

Option 3: Alternative Treks

The Salkantay Trek (5 days, tougher, no permit required), the Lares Trek (cultural villages, hot springs), and the Choquequirao Trek (remote, 4-5 days, fewer crowds) all end at or near Machu Picchu.

Visiting the Site

Tickets: Buy online at ticket.machupicchu.gob.pe. Tickets are timed entry and sell out weeks in advance during peak season (June-August). Four circuits are available — Circuit 1 and 2 cover the main site. The Sun Gate (Inti Punku) add-on is worth it for views down to the citadel from above.

Machu Picchu Mountain vs Huayna Picchu: The two peaks that overlook the site. Huayna Picchu (the dramatic small peak in every photo) has limited tickets (400 per day) — book months in advance. Machu Picchu Mountain (behind the ruins, longer climb) is easier to book. Both require additional tickets purchased with the main site ticket.

The sunrise: First entry slot (6 AM) is the only way to see the site without crowds and get the morning light. Stay in Aguas Calientes the night before. Bus from town to the gate opens at 5:30 AM — queue by 5 AM.

What to bring: Passport (required for entry), sunscreen, rain jacket (the mountain weather changes in minutes), water (no bottles sold inside), walking shoes.

🌍 Machu Picchu is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. [Find cheap flights →](https://www.aviasales.com/?marker=4132) and [book accommodation →](https://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?ss=Cusco&aid=YOUR_BOOKING_AFFILIATE_ID) early.

The Sacred Valley

The valley between Cusco and Machu Picchu is worth 2-3 days of exploration: Pisac ruins and market (Sunday morning market is the best in the Andes), Ollantaytambo fortress (the best-preserved Inca military site), Moray (circular agricultural terraces used as a crop laboratory by the Inca), and Maras salt pans (a terraced hillside of salt pools still harvested today).

Food in Cusco and Aguas Calientes

Ceviche and lomo saltado: Lima is the fine dining capital of Peru (Virgilio Martínez's Central is regularly rated #1 restaurant in the world), but Cusco has excellent local cooking. Lomo saltado (stir-fried beef, peppers, onion, tomato over fries and rice — a Chinese-Peruvian fusion dish) and cuy (roasted guinea pig, a traditional Andean dish) are the must-orders.

Aguas Calientes: Everything is overpriced and aimed at tourists. Eat dinner in the market hall for honest cooking at fair prices.

[Book tours and experiences in Peru](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Machu+Picchu&partner_id=PARTNER_ID) — the Inca Trail permits and Sacred Valley full-day tours are exceptional.

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