Practical tips to get to Machu Picchu in Peru

TIPS TO GET TO MACHU PICCHU

1. PLANNING THE TRIP TO MACHU PICCHU

The first advice to travel to Machu Picchu, to begin with is to plan in which season you will visit Cusco and Machupicchu, in this region of Peru there are 2 very marked times of the year: Rainy season (November to March) and dry season (April to October). The influx of visitors in the dry season is much more than in the rainy season.
Machupicchu is a very popular destination for people from all over the world. About 4000 people visit the sanctuary every day.

You should buy your entrance tickets for Machupicchu, Inca Trail or Huayna Picchu months in advance, as these tend to run out quickly, especially those on the Inca Trail and Huayna Picchu . To be sure you should buy them at least 6 months in advance.
Above all remember to carry your valid passport or identity card.

2. WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT MACHU PICCHU?

The best time to visit Machu Picchu is in the dry season between April and October, because the days are hotter and the nights are somewhat cold. You can visit Machupicchu by trekking (Inca Trail, Salkantay, etc), and you can also enjoy 100% of the wonders that this beautiful land has to offer. This is the season with more affluence of visitors.

Between November and March is the rainy season, the climate becomes temperate and the rains are abundant especially in the month of February. If you are scheduled to travel in this season. To visit Machupicchu the traditional programs are the most recommended, because you will enjoy the greenness of the inter-Andean landscapes typical of this season. But because it is the season with the least amount of visitors, you will have more space to enjoy this beautiful land.

3. TICKETS FOR MACHU PICCHU

HOW TO BUY THE MACHU PICCHU TICKET
There are 3 types of tickets: Machu Picchu Solo, Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu + Mountain, luckily each of them has different schedules available. The entrance to the sanctuary has limited availability of 800 tickets per shift.

BY INTERNET: To enter the Web Tickets MachuPicchu, in the section of availability it will have to choose one of the 3 types of ticket, the wished schedule and to verify availability. Once verified, you must fill out a form with all your data. After completing the form you will have the option to pay in person at the bank of the nation of Peru or by credit or debit card. Follow the process according to the chosen method of payment. Once the payment is made within 24 to 48 hours, you will receive by e-mail your ticket, which you will have to present the day of your visit to MachuPicchu. Finally you must send your identity card, passport or valid University ID to the Boleto Machu Picchu mailbox.

PRESENTIALLY IN CUSCO: You must go to the offices of the Ministry of Culture in Cusco, with your passport plus your valid university card in case you are a student to obtain a discount. Either in cash or with a credit or debit card. We suggest you take some time to wait in line, especially in high season, because you run the risk of not finding tickets available for entry to Machu Picchu.

BY A TRAVEL AGENT: You must send to your travel agent by email a copy of your passport or identity card and also the university card in case of student for a discount, your agent will take care of the purchase and choose the best schedule for your visit.

the Regional Direction of Culture of Cusco administers the sale of entrance tickets.

4. WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING TO MACHU PICCHU?

The most important thing is to bring your passport or valid identity card that contains the same number with which you made the reservation.
Extra emergency money: in Aguas Calientes there are exchange offices and banks so you can also use credit and debit cards.
Personal medication (asthma inhalers, diabetes medication, etc.), and it will also be helpful to bring basic medication for altitude sickness and some antibiotics.
Water bottle.
Snacks.
Insect repellent.
Sunscreen.
Zippered plastic bags.
Regarding clothing, it will depend on the time of year you visit:

Trekking shoes, especially if you plan to visit any of the mountains of Machu Picchu.
Medium backpack
Bathing clothes (in case you are going to visit the hot springs).
In dry season: The days are hot.

Sunglasses.
Hat or cap.
Solar protector.
Long sleeve cotton polo shirts.
Light pants or shorts (In Machu Picchu there are many mosquitoes, if you are going to go in shorts or in a skirt it will be very necessary to take repellent)
Warm clothes: The nights are somewhat cold.
In the rainy season:

6. WHAT TO DO ABOUT ALTITUDE SICKNESS?

In Cusco it is known as soroche, because of the altitude at which Cusco is located, it is a recurrent problem among visitors in different degrees.
At over 2400 m.a.s.l., the air is thinner, that is, there is less pressure, so when we breathe, we inhale less oxygen than we are used to. The body counteracts this in order to obtain more oxygen than usual, usually manifested by various symptoms. Regardless of your place of origin, it is possible that you can get sick from altitude sickness.

The most common symptoms are: dizziness, daze, nausea, vomiting, tachycardia, headache, difficult breathing and diarrhea.

Keep these recommendations in mind:

Keep calm.
Breathe deeply.
Avoid alcohol.
Drink plenty of water.
Drink Sorojchi Pills. You can buy it without a prescription.
Take chlorophyll drops.
Drink mate de coca.
If your symptoms are critical go to the medical center.

7. HOW MUCH MONEY SHOULD I BRING TO VISIT MACHUPICCHU?

In general the amount of money you should take on your visit to MachuPicchu varies according to your preferences. In MachuPicchu town there are restaurants and lodgings of different prices and standards, due to the costs you should take between 200 USD to 300 USD.
The expenses that you will have there will be: lodging, food and recurrent expenses like drinks, snacks. Also the entrance to the hot springs if you want to visit them.
The most used currencies are the American dollar and above all the Peruvian sun. Being a tourist area despite being a very small town, Aguas Calientes has exchange houses and banks.

8. WHAT ARE THE ENTRANCE HOURS TO MACHUPICCHU?

Since 2019, the schedules for entering Machu Picchu have changed with respect to other years. In short, you are only allowed to enter Machu Picchu once, there is no re-entry.
There are 3 types of entry to MachuPicchu and their respective schedules:

a) Machu Picchu Solo: Any of these schedules allows you to stay in the citadel up to 4 hours after entry:
– 06:00 am
– 07:00 am
– 08:00 am
– 09:00 a.m.
– 10:00 am
– 11:00 am
– 12:00 pm
– 01:00 pm
– 02:00 p.m.
b)Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu: Allows you to stay in the citadel and the mountain 6 hours after entrance.
– 06:00 am Entrance to Huayna Picchu 07:00
– 07:00 am Entrance to Huayna Picchu 07:00
– 08:00 am Entrance to Huayna Picchu 10:30
c)Machu Picchu + Mountain: It allows to stay in the citadel and the mountain 6 hours after the entrance.
– 06:00 am Entrance to Machu Picchu Mountain 07:00
– 07:00 am Entrance to Mountain Machu Picchu 07:00
– 08:00 am Mountain entrance to Machu Picchu 09:00

9. WHERE CAN YOU STAY OVERNIGHT?

Aguas Calientes (MachuPicchu town) is one of the most touristic towns of the Sacred Valley, as a consequence there are many hotels with a variety of styles, prices and categories. There is also a Municipal Campsite if you like to be surrounded by nature.
Due to the enormous amount of visitors, these tend to be unavailable, which is why it is advisable to book a few months in advance.
You can book through a travel agent or directly with the hotels.