Everyone with minimal interest in travel has heard about Machu Picchu, Peru’s stunning Inca citadel hidden among breathtaking Andean mountain peaks. But for all the hype that surrounds this world-renowned tourist attraction, there are some things that you should know before visiting one of the most famous landmarks in the world.

MACHU PICCHU’S UNSOLVED MYSTERY

Who was the first one to discover Machu Picchu still remains a mystery, the only certainty that we have is that it was uncovered not long ago, in 1911, when a Yale student by the name of Hiram Bingham was the first outsider to come across the ancient ruins.

The biggest debate of history remains the purpose of this Inca masterpiece. To this day no one is really sure what Machu Picchu is, so even if you pay a guide during your visit, they are only gonna give you suggestions of what it could have been.

There are different theories: some suggested that it was used as a military fortress, a temple for the Sacred Virgins of the Sun, and a pilgrimage site. The most recent hypothesis is that the site was built as an estate for Inca royalty to escape the hustle of Cusco. Not bad as a holiday home, right?

One thing is sure, Machu Picchu wasn’t supposed to be discovered in the first place. With the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century, the Inca were scared that their marvellous citadel would be discovered and subsequently ransacked. To prevent this from happening, they abandoned the site and made the path inaccessible. The plan worked incredibly well as Machu Picchu remained lost for almost 400 years.

TOURIST'S MOST COMMON QUESTIONS

What’s the average cost to visit Machu Picchu?
- By taking the panoramic train from Ollantaytambo (Cusco) to Aguas Calientes (the village below Machu Picchu mountain) it costs 90 USD/pax two ways.
- The entrance ticket to Machu Picchu costs 56 USD/pax.
- The 20 minutes bus ticket to get to Machu Picchu’s entrance costs 24 USD.
- If you want to visit Machu Picchu early in the morning, it is best to book accommodation in Aguas Calientes. The average price for one night in a Hotel is 34 USD.
  The total cost to visit Machu Picchu (without booking accommodation) is 170 USD/pax.
Do I need a guide to visit Machu Picchu?
In the past you could only visit Machu Picchu with a tour guide. Luckily, today it is not mandatory anymore, so you can explore it by yourself and take all the time you want. If you want a tour guide you can easily get one at the bus departure, just before going to Machu Picchu.
How far is Machu Picchu from Cusco & how to get there?
The distance between Cusco and Aguas Calientes (the village below Machu Picchu) is about 75 km. The only way to get there is by train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. By train, it takes around 2 hours.
To get to Ollantaytambo from Cusco you have to take a bus that you purchase together with the train ticket online.
Will I suffer altitude sickness?
The Machu Picchu citadel ruins lie at an elevation of 2430 m, a bit below Cusco, but still high enough for the air to feel thin and experience shortness of breath. However, you will not experience strong symptoms, since most likely you’ve already acclimatised in Cusco, which lies at an elevation of 3399 metres.
Do I need to hike to reach Machu Picchu?
You don’t need to hike to reach Machu Picchu, you can take a 20 minutes bus from the centre of Aguas Calientes to the entrance. If you want you can reach the site by hike, just know that it takes 3 hours and the path is very steep! Personally, I think that it is worth it to take the bus because even if you hike and you arrive earlier than the buses, you have to wait for the opening time of Machu Picchu’s entrance, which is from 6 am to 5.30 pm. It is also good to save some energy to explore the Incas citadel to the fullest!
The buses start to run every 10 minutes from 5.30 am until 5.30 pm.
Where can I buy the entrance ticket & how long in advance do I have to buy it?
You can buy the entrance tickets online, or upon arrival in Aguas Calientes.
It is best to book the ticket online one week in advance, but you can also buy it last minute at the tourist office in Aguas Calientes. On the other hand trips to Huayna Picchu must be reserved up to 6 months prior since only 400 persons are allowed daily.

My recommendations for an unforgettable experience in Machu Picchu

I'm gonna guide you through my personal experience in Machu Picchu, from the booking process to the actual site visit.

I recommend visiting Machu Picchu during the low season: between October and February to avoid crowds of tourists.

ENJOY SCENIC VIEWS WITH THE PANORAMIC TRAIN

The best way to get to Machu Picchu is with the panoramic train that goes through the Sacred Valley, from where you can enjoy snow-capped mountains and lush jungle views.

Two train companies operate this route: Inca Rail and Peru Rail.

I recommend taking Inca Rail because it’s a fancier train, moreover during the journey, you can also have snacks with beverages, and some locals perform a short show.

You can book the train ticket online, it’s recommended to book it at least a few days in advance, or you can buy it at the Inca Rail office in Cusco main square. (Before buying the train ticket it is best to purchase the entrance ticket for Machu Picchu because there’s a limited number of visitors every day.)

The train and bus ticket price is 90 USD/pax two ways. First, you will take a bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo (2 hours) and then the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (2 hours). I recommend staying one night in Ollantaytambo because it’s a very picturesque village with Inca ruins located in the Sacred Valley. Moreover, the next day you will be able to take the early train at 7 am to Aguas Calientes.

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT MACHU PICCHU

You can buy the entrance ticket for Machu Picchu online, it’s recommended to book it at least one week in advance. During the purchase, the website will offer you different circuits that you can explore once you arrive in the Inca citadel: the best ones are circuits n. 1-2. However, when I booked the tickets the only circuits available were 3-4. The good news is that no one checks what circuit you have once you are inside the ruins. Eventually, I was able to explore all the circuits of Machu Picchu.

Trips to Huayna Picchu, however, must be reserved up to 6 months prior since only 400 persons are allowed daily.

If you want to appreciate Machu Picchu in peace and enjoy the early morning sunshine, I recommend going as early as you can. Most likely there will be already a line of people waiting for the bus, so it is best to stand in front of the bus stop at 4:15 am. The bus will leave at 5:30 am and the entrance of Machu Picchu is at 6:00 am.

The craws of tourists will start to arrive at 8 am, which is perfect because by this time you will leave the citadel since it takes two hours to explore Machu Picchu. When you follow the circuits (from 1 to 5) it is important to know that you can’t go back to the previous one, because you have to follow the order. Therefore, take your time and snap as many pictures as you can.

is Machu Picchu worth visiting?

As a low-budget traveller, I had serious doubts about visiting Machu Picchu. I knew that reaching the most famous attraction in Perù would be very expensive and super touristy. As much as I wanted to experience one of the 7 Wonders of the World, I had very low expectations since in the past I've been disappointed by mass-tourism attractions.

To enjoy Machu Picchu to the fullest you have to be a smart tourist, which means doing some sacrifices, like waking up early in the morning or spending extra money for accommodation in Aguas Calientes.

Looking back, I can never forget my astonished expression when I was climbing Machu Picchu. The surrounding nature leaves you speechless, with lush mountain peaks and the perfect morning light shining through the Inca ruins. Where else can you get this?

What fascinates me the most is the location of this human masterpiece and all the mystery around it. How did the Incas manage to build a city of this size on a peak above 2430 metres, suspended in the clouds?

It is easy to get emotional when you stand on top of the mountains and admire the mesmerizing 360° view, and you finally understand why Machu Picchu is part of the 7 Wonders of the World. Without a doubt, It is one of the most magnificent archaeological sites in the world.

With a bit of luck, a beautiful clear sky and almost no people, I can definitely say that this was one of the best experiences of my life, and I think everyone should visit Machu Picchu at least once in a lifetime.

IS MACHU PICCHU WORTH THE HYPE? The truth behind one of the world’s seven wonders