I’m proud to say, at 40, that I’ve now visited all the Seven Wonders of the World—well, according to some lists! Every year, it seems like one is added, while another is removed. But I digress.
What I’m here to say is that in spite of having traveled—having seen—a lot in my four decades, I still find myself in awe a lot. That was the case for most of the world wonders, and especially for Machu Picchu, the not-so-lost city of the Incas located high in the Andes of Peru.
If you’re asking more directly, i.e. is Machu Picchu worth visiting? The answer is absolutely “yes,” though you need to keep many things in mind as you plan your own trip.
Do You Need an Organized Tour to Visit Machu Picchu?
On one hand, the answer is no—you don’t need to book Machu Picchu tours in order to visit the world heritage site. As I’ll explain below, there are a number of ways to visit independently, or even to do so on a semi-organized basis by booking something with your hotel when you arrive in Cusco. I did Machu Picchu completely independently—well, at least when I visited at 26—and do not regret doing so at all.
With this being said, booking in advance with a company like GuruExplorers can have some advantages. For starters, many travelers find that having a tour booked gives them peace of mind, especially if they plan to visit Machu Picchu during one of the busier travel periods. Additionally, if you plan to hike to Macchu Picchu, working with a reputable company may feel safer than hiring someone local that you don’t know and aren’t able to vet.
How to Plan Your Trip to Machu Picchu
Buy tickets well in advance
When I first visited Machu Picchu back in 2011, it was possible to just turn up the day-of and buy tickets. While you can sometimes still do this if you visit during the off-season, I generally recommend ordering tickets online well in advance. Note that organized tour operators will sometimes purchase tickets on your behalf, though you obviously still need to pay for them.
Find your way to Cusco
If you decide that Machu Picchu is worth it and you’ve bought your tickets, the next step is getting to Cusco. If you’re coming from Lima, you may simply opt to take a flight, particularly if you can find one that connects with your inbound flight from abroad. On the other hand, one of the most comfortable ways to travel domestically in Peru is via long-distance bus, so I recommend this for most of my clients.
(And stay at least a night)
A lot of people lump Cusco and Machu Picchu together, but to me they’re two completely separate destinations. I recommend spending a minimum of one night and one full day exploring all that Cusco has to offer. Likewise, you should plan on staying in Aguas Calientes (the town at the base of Machu Picchu) for at least a night, unless of course you plan to take an organized hiking trip (more on that in a second).
Get on a train or bus (or trail)
There are effectively two strategies for planning a Machu Picchu itinerary. If you want to go totally independently, you can go by train (one of the direct tourist trains, such as Inca Rail or PeruRail) or local buses from Cusco to Aguas Calientes, and hiking or riding a shuttle bus to the top from there. Or, you can do a multi-day organized hike, whether that’s along the infamously difficult “Inca Trail” or the slightly gentler “Jungle Trail.”
Reach the top as early as you can
Unlike in the past, when it was simply first-come, first-served, you can pre-book entry to Huayna Picchu, a small mountain within Machu Picchu that offers an amazing view of the entire site. However, I still recommend reaching the top of Machu Picchu as early as possible, in order to avoid crowds (and also to enjoy the amazing early morning light). If you plan on hiking from Aguas Calientes, leave your hotel at 5 AM, if you can.
Other Things to Do in and Around Cusco
Cusco is my favorite city in Peru, and one of my favorite cities in the world. Here are some other ways to spend your time in the area:
- Explore the historical center of Cusco—and use your time there to acclimate to the high altitude
- Spend at least a day in the Sacred Valley of the Incas
- Take a day trip to the so-called Rainbow Mountain (but don’t be disappointed in its true colors)
- Make the exhilarating hike to scenic Humantay Lake
Ticked everything off your list of things to do in Cusco? I hope you’ll consider visiting other destinations in Peru, such as Arequipa (and the nearby Colca Canyon) and of course, the Peruvian capital of Lima.
Other FAQ About Visiting Machu Picchu
What is the best month to travel to Machu Picchu?
The dry months between about May and September tend to have the best weather for hiking to Machu Picchu. However, as someone who visited Machu Picchu the first time during the month of February, I can personally say that it’s wonderful even when rain is falling.
How many days are needed for Machu Picchu?
Realistically, you need to spend at least a night in Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu, in order to visit the site from Cusco. However, if you plan to hike along either the “Inca Trail” or the “Jungle Trail,” you may spend closer to a week getting to Machu Picchu and back.
Do you stay overnight at Machu Picchu?
You can’t stay overnight within the Machu Picchu world heritage site. However, if you go there via an organized trek, you’ll camp along the way, which will allow you to go to sleep and wake up high in the Andes, which almost feels like staying overnight at Machu Picchu.
The Bottom Line
Is Machu Picchu worth visiting? The answer, without a doubt, is “yes,” though there are some caveats. First, you’ll need to decide how you get there—do you go by train or bus from Cusco, or take a multi-day hike? Do you try to do it as a day trip, or do you stay overnight in Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of the site? Do you arrive early to be able to summit Huayna Picchu? Regardless, once you sort out your trip, it’ll be a highlight of your time in South America, and maybe even of your travels everywhere in the world. Need help drilling down the details of your travel? Consider hiring me as your Travel Coach!
