10 Days in Machu Picchu

What You Should Know Before Going On A Machu Picchu Tour

Coronavirus Travel Update for Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is set to open on November 1st, 2020, after a 7 month closure.

The closure has been devastating for the country of Peru. Machu Picchu is one of the world's most popular tourist attraction, drawing millions of visitors every year - contributing heavily to Peru's local economy. 

Visitors will have their temperature taken, masks are required, as is adherence to standard social distancing.

How to Get to Machu Picchu

You can get to Machu Picchu in many different ways. If you choose to visit by hiking the Inca Trail, you must reserve these tours far in advance. The Inca Trail only allows tickets for 500 people per day on the trail, including porters and guides. This leaves 200 spots open for trekkers! So be sure to reserve your tour at least 6 months prior to departure.

You might also choose to tour Machu Picchu via the two other main treks: Lares or Salkantay. These take a day or two longer than the Inca Trail, but tend to be less crowded.

If hard core trekking in altitude is not your cup of tea, never fear! Machu Picchu is also accessible via the train from Cusco. This is a great option for older traveler and families with young kids. The train is fitted with large viewing windows, and you can take in the other historic sites of Peru along the way as you approach Aguas Calientes.

Machu Picchu is an UNESCO World Heritage Site, so on your tour of the famous ruins, it’s important to stay on marked paths, and respect the ruins. Travel on a tour to learn about the Incan history of Peru, and the archaeological history of the site itself. 

The Best Time to Tour Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is open for tours all year round. The Inca Trail is also open all year, except for February, when the trail is closed for maintenance. You need to first determine if you want to tour Machu Picchu in the Dry Season (April - September) or the Rainy Season (October - March).

January and February are generally thought to be the worst months to tour Machu Picchu. You will likely experience a lot of rain, which means you’ll also encounter a lot of mud and the stone pathways will be very slippery. You also won’t be able see Machu Picchu at sunrise, which many travelers strive for.

The cloud cover will be very heavy, usually not clearing until 9am when the sun is already up. On the flipside, this is the lowest point of the year for crowds, so if you want to see Machu Picchu without many other tourists around, choose a time during the rainy off season.

Between April and September, you’re likely to have less crowds at the end of the dry season. May, June, July, and August are the busiest months. This is when Northern Hemisphere travelers plan their summer vacations, and many people around the world get out of school.

Machu Picchu: Altitude and Altitude Sickness

Machu Picchu sits at a staggering 7,970 feet above sea level, in the heart of the Peruvian Andes. Because of this, there is a risk of getting altitude sickness, although it is rare.

The symptoms of altitude sickness include lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea, and shortness of breath. If any of this happens, descend until you begin to feel better. You should remain hydrated, and avoid smoking or drinking alcohol.

If you have had altitude sickness before, look into potentially taking a preventative medication, like Diamox, or drinking coca leaf tea as a natural remedy.

Machu Picchu Facts

1. Machu Picchu is one of the seven wonders of the world.
2. The name “Machu Picchu” means “Old Mountain”
3. It was built in the middle of the 15th century (1450s).
4. The buildings on site are remarkable for two reasons: the massive stones were cut to fit exactly together without mortar or cement, and moved up the steep mountainside by hand.
5. It is widely believed that Machu Picchu was built as a royal residence for the Incan king Pachacuti.
6. The city was abandoned and forgotten until 1911, when it was rediscovered by an American archaeologist named Hiram Bingham.
7. After Bingham’s discovery, he transported dozens of artifacts, including mummies, silver, and pottery, back to Yale University for study. The entire collection was only completely returned in 2012.
8. Machu Picchu can be subject to earthquakes. The Incas not only knew this, but built their buildings tilting inwards to help enforce them.
9. Despite archaeological evidence, group called the New Age Andean Cosmologists believe that aliens built Machu Picchu.
10. Nobody knows why Machu Picchu was abandoned, although some believe it may have been because of an outbreak of smallpox.
11. Machu Picchu was a site of human and animal sacrifice, as was common in Incan culture.

What to Wear & Machu Picchu Weather

Machu Picchu has a rainy season between November and March. At this time, the surrounding villages are prone to mudslides and flooding.

However, because of its proximity to the Amazon Jungle, there is always a possibility of rain when visiting Machu Picchu. The warmest months to visit Machu Picchu are between May and October, where temperatures can reach up to 80 degrees. However, we still recommend wearing closed-toe, athletic shoes or hiking boots in case it rains (the pathways can become very slippery if wet).

If you are staying overnight or camping along the various treks to the Lost City, make sure you bring especially warm clothing -- because of the altitude, temperatures tend to plummet at night.

Machu Picchu and Over Tourism

One growing problem for Machu Picchu is over tourism. The city, which was virtually unvisited 100 years ago, now sees thousands of tourists each day. This crowds the thin, snaking roads that lead to the site, and has come with other problems. With tourists overwhelming the number of guards, some visitors have taking to marking or stealing stones from the city.

In response to these issues, the Peruvian government has begun to rope off certain attractions, and limit the number of visitors allowed on the grounds at once. Another solution to the problem that is being considered is that guided tours will be mandated.

With all this being said, now is a better time to visit Machu Picchu than ever!