Essential Machu Picchu Travel Tips – Everything You Need to Know (2024)
To fully immerse yourself in the magic of Machu Picchu, some essential planning and preparation is key. From securing entry permits and figuring out the best routes, to understanding what to pack and navigating the high altitude, there are many factors to consider to ensure your Machu Picchu adventure goes smoothly. With these crucial Machu Picchu travel tips covering everything you need to know, you’ll be ready to immerse yourself in all the mystique of one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and create memories that last a lifetime.
Be sure to read The Ultimate Machu Picchu Travel Guide – Everything You Need to Know (2024).
Here are some helpful Machu Picchu travel tips:
Table of Contents
Machu Picchu Travel Tips
Book Tickets and Permits Several Months in Advance
During the dry season (May – October), which includes peak season (June – August), entry tickets and permits for hiking the Inca Trail sell out months in advance. Secure yours as early as possible to ensure you can visit when you want. Check out The Best Time of Year to Visit Machu Picchu for a detailed month-by-month guide.
Hire an Official Guide
Since 2022, it is required to have a guide at Machu Picchu. This helps to employ local Peruvians, and also preserves the site and ensures all the rules are being followed. Plus, having a knowledgeable local guide provides invaluable insights into the history and significance of the site. If you book your entrance tickets and transportation through a tour agency, a guide will likely be included, but be sure to confirm this to get the most out of your trip.
If you don’t have a guide booked, don’t worry. When you arrive at Machu Picchu, there will be plenty of guides outside the entrance offering their service.
For more information about guides and how to visit Machu Picchu, check out The Ultimate Travel Guide to Visiting Machu Picchu.
Acclimate to the Altitude
Machu Picchu sits at 7,972 feet (2,430 m) above sea level. Spend a few days in Cusco (11,152 ft) beforehand to help adjust to the high elevation. Plus, Cusco has a lot of cool things to do and some good restaurants.
If you purchased the entrance tickets that include the hike up Machu Picchu Mountain, be aware that the altitude at the top is 9,842 feet (3,000m). Huayna Picchu is 8,858 feet (2,700m) tall, so you might feel the altitude, especially if you’re being active.
The locals chew coca leaves to help with altitude sickness, which your guide might provide. If you are in Cusco, one of the best places to get it is the San Pedro Market. They are sold in bags of varying sizes for around 3 soles (less than $1 USD). You will also need to buy an alkaline substance to chew with the cocoa leaves known as Llipt’a or Yipta. This can vary between sodium bicarbonate, lime, or quinoa ash, and promotes the extraction of the alkaloids from the coca leaf and thus increases its effect. It is also really cheap and you only need a small amount.
If you have a heart condition, high blood pressure, or suffer from diabetes, it’s not recommended to chew coca leaves.
Furthermore, for the first few days you’re in Cusco, take it easy on the alcohol. Drinking will make the altitude symptoms worse. Drink water instead.
If you are feeling the effects of the altitude and they aren’t going away within a couple days (or are getting debilitating), you may have to go to a lower altitude (Lima) until the symptoms pass.
Stay in Aguas Calientes
Aguas Calientes is the gateway to Machu Picchu. This town at the base of Machu Picchu has the closest accommodations, along with other tourism amenities such as shops, restaurants, and tour agencies. The journey from Cusco to Aguas Calientes can take more than 4 hours, so it is basically required to stay at least one night before your visit to the iconic site. Because of the train schedules and the specific entry times on your Machu Picchu entrance ticket, trying to get from Cusco to exploring Machu Picchu in the same day is nearly impossible, especially if you want to actually enjoy your visit. For more information about the logistics, read How to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu.
Stay in Aguas Calientes the night before you explore the historic ruins, and depending on timing, you might need to stay another night before heading back to Cusco.
Bring Your Passport
You will need to present your passport with your ticket to enter the site. Additionally, you will need to show it to purchase bus tickets. Plus, to commemorate your visit, you can get a special Machu Picchu stamp in your passport.
Carry Cash (small bills/coins)
Most places in Cusco, Aguas Calientes, and Machu Picchu only accept cash. Bring cash in small denominations to ensure you can pay for the bathroom (1 sol), food vendors, and tips for your guide. If you do a trek, such as the Inca Trail or Salkantay Trek, it is common to tip the porters and guides as well.
There Are No Bathrooms Beyond the Main Entrance
Outside the gate at Machu Picchu, there is a small snack bar, restaurant and bathroom just before you enter the site — which costs one sol, or about 30 cents to use. During your visit, you are allowed one exit and re-entry, which you can use to go to the bathroom or buy snacks. However, due to the strictness of the site, and the size, I would not recommend exiting and reentering. Not only will you have to walk all the way back out and then wait in line to reenter, wasting a lot of time, but you may not be allowed to re-enter. Just go to the bathroom before you enter to avoid the hassle.
Wear Sun Protection
The high altitude of Machu Picchu increases UV intensity. Getting sunburned is almost guaranteed on a sunny day and still highly likely on a cloudy day. Wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses that block UV rays.
Bring Waterproof Gear
Depending on the time of year you visit, rain showers can be common. Pack rain jackets and waterproof bags for electronics such as phones and cameras. Additionally, it is a good idea to bring layers because it can get chilly up in the mountains, especially if it is cloudy or rainy.
Bring Water
One of the most important Machu Picchu travel tips is to bring plenty of water. It takes a few hours to explore the site, which includes a lot of stairs. While you don’t have to go at a quick pace, climbing up and down the stairs and exploring the site can be a workout depending on your fitness level. Plus, combined with the sun, you will get thirsty. Supplies at the ruins are limited and expensive, so it’s best to come prepared.
Know the Rules
The Peruvian government and the employees at Machu Picchu take the rules very seriously. They will not hesitate to call the police if anyone is disregarding the rules and not listening to the direction of the staff members. It is important to be aware of the rules so you don’t have any problems. Plus, knowing what you can and can’t bring will help you pack for your visit.
You cannot bring in bags or backpacks larger than 16x14x8 inches (40x35x20 cm). It is also prohibited to bring baby strollers, umbrellas, walking sticks, portable chairs, drones, tripods, monopods, selfie sticks or other photography/film stabilization accessories.
There is also a rule that states you cannot “carry out activities that distort the sacredness of the monument; such as fashion shows, dances, or social commitments,” so you might not want to film a TikTok dance unless you want to deal with the Peruvian Police.
Smoking and vaping are also strictly prohibited.
For a complete list of rules, check out Machu Picchu’s official website.
Frequently Asked Questions
By following these Machu Picchu travel tips, you’ll be equipped to have an incredibly enriching experience at this archaeological wonder. By carefully planning ahead and being prepared, you’ll maximize your enjoyment while minimizing any altitude sickness, tricky navigation, or crowded disappointments.
Check out my video on YouTube of my experience visiting Machu Picchu!
