Machu Picchu

TOURS & TRAVEL PACKAGES

Travel back in time with our Machu Picchu travel packages to see the heights & the beauty of
the Inca Empire. Talk to our Peru Travel specialists to get the best experience in one of the
world's top destination!

OUR TRAVEL
PACKAGES
WITH MACHU
PICCHU TOURS

Machu Picchu is a destination often grouped with Cusco and the Sacred Valley in Peru travel packages. Tailor Made Peru offers several travel packages that include Machu Picchu, saving clients precious time from planning and leaving more for relaxation and actual exploration.

Trips with the best machu picchu
trekking tours

Trips to Machu Picchu remain among the top activities in Peru, particularly through the famous
Inca Trail. TMP offers a variety of Trekking adventures that feature Machu Picchu and
other Peruvian landmarks, ranging from two days to eight days. Check these out:

Peru travel packages with Machu Picchu
(without hikes or treks)

Alternatively, several other Machu Picchu vacation packages do not involve heavy treks, with a
faster and easier way to reach the iconic Peruvian ruin. Most of these tours include a train ride
to Aguas Calientes, where tourists can take a bus for a short ride up to Machu Picchu. Here are
some of TMP tours with these options:

Top attractions

Though Machu Picchu is considered as one destination, this complex of
almost 32,600 hectares features several attractions. The citadel has different structures,
each with their own purpose and some more impressive than the others.
Here are a few of the must-see areas of Machu Picchu:

Machu Picchu Travel Info

Facts to Know Before Tour Machu Picchu Tour

Although Machu Picchu sits on top of a mountain at 7,972 feet (2,430 meters) above sea level, millions of people each year continue to book for Machu Picchu tours just to see one of the world’s greatest wonders in South America. As much as 5,000 visitors each day have made the trek up the steep slopes of the Andes to reach the Incan ruins.

American explorer and historian, Hiram Bingham III, discovered the abandoned ruins in 1911 with the help of a Peruvian farmer and his son. Since then, the site has received worldwide recognition as the legendary Lost City of the Inca.

  • It was declared a Peruvian Historic Sanctuary in 1981.
  • It was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
  • It was voted as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.

Other Machu Picchu Travel Facts

  • Machu Picchu is also known in the Quechuan language as Machu Pikchu, which likely means “old peak.”
  • Did you know this 15th-century citadel of the ancient Incas was built without the use of mortar, metal tools, or the wheel?
  • Within the citadel, three primary structures, namely the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows, can be found.

Frequently Asked Questions About Machu Picchu Tours

First-time travelers to Machu Picchu have a lot of questions about trekking or hiking to this popular tourist destination. This Machu Picchu travel guide offers some of the FAQs that we often encounter while helping our guests plan their itinerary for their trip to Peru.

What is the altitude of Machu Picchu?

The Inca fortress sits on a ridge between the Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu mountains on the eastern side of the Andes range. Its altitude is estimated to be 7,972 feet (or 2,430 meters) above sea level. It occupies 125.8 square miles of land on that mountain top.

At such a high altitude, some people may experience mild symptoms of altitude sickness, such as sluggishness and dizziness. Most visitors acclimatise quickly with symptoms disappearing after a day or two of rest and oxygenation.

When is the best time to visit Machu Picchu?

Machu Picchu is open from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM every day of the year. However, access is limited to only 2,500 visitors each day.

The best time of year to visit Machu Picchu are from May to September, when the rainy days are few and the hottest temperature is just 20 degrees higher than the freezing point. Unfortunately, lots of people think so, too. That’s why, if you wanted to avoid the crowds, schedule your tour to Machu Picchu around April to May or perhaps between September and October.

If you’ve booked your Machu Picchu travel package during peak season, make sure you book your tickets several months in advance to secure your trip. You can do this online or through an agency. We recommend that you book them at least 6 months before your trip.

What's the best time for Machu Picchu tours?

It’s better to visit the site really early in the morning, which is only possible when you spend the night at Aguas Calientes. As early as 4:00 AM, visitors can start boarding the buses going to the Inca citadel. The entrance to the site stays open from 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM only. Be advised that all visitors must sign the notebook when they enter and exit the site.

What's the weather/climate like in Machu Picchu, Peru?

The rainy season starts in November and ends around March. The wettest month is January. It will be more humid than usual. You should bring a jacket or poncho and wear shoes that allow you to walk on wet and slippery surfaces safely.

During the dry season from April to October, the sun can be blindingly bright although the highest temperature in Machu Picchu may only reach 20 degrees Celsius. In addition to warm clothing, wear a hat and a pair of shades. And, don’t forget to use sunblock lotion!

How long does it take to climb up to Machu Picchu?

There’s more than one way to reach Machu Picchu. The most famous is hiking the Inca Trail, which usually takes 3 to 4 days to complete the whole 43-kilometer hike. But for travelers who like a challenge, there’s the Salkantay Trek that’s around 73 kilometers and may take hikers 5 days to complete.

Can I go to Machu Picchu in one day?

A Machu Picchu day trip? If it’s just a matter of reaching the site from the nearest town, then the answer is “Yes, you can!” Aguas Calientes, a town in the Urubamba River Valley in southeast Peru, is considered the gateway to the Inca ruins.

If you only have a full day to explore Machu Picchu, there are trains from Cusco that reach Aguas Calientes in less than 4 hours. From there, it only takes tourists less than three hours to hike up the summit of the mountain. Travelers also have the option of taking a bus ride, which takes only 30 minutes or so, to reach the entrance to the park.

Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is the most famous and also the most crowded, which is why the Peruvian government issues a limited number of hiking permits to reduce foot traffic. The purpose is to slow down the erosion of the soil and minimize the amount of trash and other waste left behind by tourists each day.

Am I required to hire a licensed guide for doing tours to Machu Picchu?

The Peruvian government has updated its rules and regulations concerning Machu Picchu. One of the rules says that a licensed guide must accompany you on the first day of your tour. However, you can explore the site on your own afterward.

First-entry tourists have the best chance of spending the whole day exploring Machu Picchu and nearby sites, like the Museum and Huayna Picchu. However, if they exited around noon, they won’t be allowed to enter the site again.

Meanwhile, second-entry tourists can enter the site as early as 11:00 AM and stay inside until closing time at 5:30 PM.

Before you go inside, make sure you have a full stomach and an empty bladder. There are no bathrooms inside the ruins and no snack bars or restaurants either.

Once inside, please remember this: Do not touch the ruins because even the simple transfer of sweat and oils from human skin can contribute to the erosion of these ancient stone structures.

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