Peru offers a diversity of experiences, but if Machu Picchu has long been on your bucket list, we will give you five insider tips on making the most of your visit to one of the world’s great wonders.
1. Visit Peru in every season (but skip February)
For folks making a once in a lifetime visit to Machu Picchu, it’s a good idea to avoid the rainiest months of the year—January, February and March. Indeed, the famous Inca trail is closed for repairs during the entire month of February! Conditions begin to clear in mid-April, and May-September is the ideal time to catch clear views.
Tip: If you have a flexible schedule, visiting Machu Picchu in May or September is ideal. You’ll dodge the crowds of the height of summer vacation and share the site with far fewer other visitors.
2. Time your entrance to get the best views
Did you know that Machu Picchu has more than one type of entrance ticket? Many folks have their hearts set on arriving before dawn to watch the sunrise over this enchanting Inca city.
Yet, for your first day at the site, we actually advise our travelers to visit in the afternoon instead. Machu Picchu sits at just over 6,000 feet of elevation, right in the middle of the cloud forest. It’s rare for the morning to be clear! The mists tend to shroud the stone structures at dawn, gradually emerging as the hours tick by. A mid-morning visit is usually a better bet, and less crowded, than a mad dash for dawn.
Afternoon is the least crowded time of day, since the crowds clear out, and the day trippers catch the last trains back to the Sacred Valley. This leaves the site relatively quiet until it closes at 5:30 PM, giving you time to enjoy Machu Picchu during the magical, golden hour.
3. Hike in through the Sun Gate
Many people know about the iconic four-day “Inca Trail” trek into Machu Picchu. While it’s enormously popular, it’s also physically challenging and requires advanced permits and sleeping in tents.
But did you know you can hike your way into Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate with a one-day trek following the same Inca pathway? This is our favorite way to experience the ancient city—arriving as the Incas did. Wake up early, board the train from Ollantaytambo, and stop to hop off at kilometer 104, where you’ll check in and begin your hike. The Imperial Inca Trail winds through several lesser known Inca ruins, only accessible on foot, and through the cloud forest. The views of the surrounding mountains are spectacular, and each turn reveals a new view. Arriving at the Sun Gate in the late afternoon, with the city spread out before you, is a moment you will remember forever. This is the only way to access the Sun Gate, so if you’ve longed dreamt of this particular view, you’ll want to book this option.
Bonus: You’ll view the city from the Sun Gate on arrival, and then return the next day with your guide to explore further. This means you have two chances to get a clear view of the city, from above and from within!
4. Make the most of a tight schedule
The only way into the town of Aguas Calientes (the town that sits just below Machu Picchu) is on foot or by train. If your schedule is tight (or you’re just not that into hiking), the train is a fantastic way to get there! There are departures throughout the day, and riding the train along the Urubamba River offers some dramatic views, as the walls of the valley grow steeper on either side of the tracks. On this relatively short journey, you’ll lose nearly 2,500 feet of elevation. This precipitous change is only navigable with narrow gauge tracks and cars, which handle the tricky terrain more nimbly.
Tip: Book at least one leg of your train journey during daylight hours so you don’t miss the landscapes! We prefer the Vistadome trains, which offer panoramic windows overhead and on either side of the train.
5. Visit with young explorers
While many families want to wait to visit Machu Picchu until kids are older, a visit with young children can also be a lot of fun! This is especially true with a little advanced preparation. Let us know if your kiddos are early risers or prefer to sleep in a bit (aka living the dream!), and we’ll plan around your schedule. Our guides are great with kids, and we can set up a special scavenger hunt to keep things especially engaging! If you’re traveling as a multigenerational family, we can book your visit with two guides so everyone can explore at their own pace.
More ideas
Elevate Destinations can cater to vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian and gluten free diets. Our team will support you in maintaining your dietary needs and preferences while traveling in Peru. There is an abundance of fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains (corn, quinoa, amaranth, and more), as well as hundreds of varieties of potatoes to make eating vegan and vegetarian a diverse and enjoyable experience!
Explore our Peru itineraries for inspiration for your next custom adventure!
