Machu Picchu The Best Tips

There are such wonders of the world where you have huge expectations and you will be disappointed in the end. And then there is Machu Picchu. Even those who come with huge expectations will be surprised on site. Not because it's so empty there and you have the ruins all to yourself. Machu Picchu is at least as well visited as the other modern wonders of the modern era, if not more. But because you can still find a quiet spot on the huge area to enjoy the impressive panorama and the play of sun, clouds and fog.

And the second visit is no different. Now that I have visited Machu Picchu three times, hiked different treks and got to know the seasons, it is time to share with you my best tips for your Machu Picchu visit in a small Machu Picchu guide. There are still questions: Then off to the comments!

Best time to go to Machu Picchu

Basically you can of course visit Machu Picchu all year round. The best time, however, is the dry season from April to October, where you have the best chance of good weather. I was there once in April and once in August. The weather in August is generally more stable than at the beginning of the dry season. But trails and co are also the most frequented at this time of year and booked out months in advance. The transition months, on the other hand, are a little quieter, but also a little rainier. Since I think Machu Picchu develops his magic especially in changeable weather, there is nothing to be said against visiting the ruined city outside of the main season. When I visited the weather in August and April was almost the same.

Machu Picchu arrival

Machu Picchu is so hidden Peruvian side forest that you can only reach the "holy city of the Incas" by train via the railway line Cusco - Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu. This runs parallel to the Urubamba river. And anyone who has driven on them themselves will quickly find that there is simply no space for a road here. Not only because of the unique selling point, but also because the maintenance of the railway line is very complex and tedious, the tickets are unfortunately not exactly cheap. Nevertheless, the journey through the sacred valley is beautiful and a real highlight in itself. Definitely one of the most beautiful train routes I've ever driven!

If you are not afraid to walk the last stretch to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town) around 10 kilometers along the tracks, you can resort to the inexpensive alternative via Santa Maria, Santa Teresa and Hidroelectrica (3 changes!) ,

There are generally two train companies that control Machu Picchu: IncaRail and PeruRail. I have driven with both before and found the InkaRail trains a bit better. This is because you could take pictures out of the sliding windows. Unfortunately that was not possible with PeruRail. Otherwise, both providers are quite similar with the big difference that InkaRail trains only start from Cusco and PeruRail at Ollantaytambo. As Ollantaytambo is also absolutely worth seeing and has beautiful ruins to offer, a stopover there is definitely worthwhile.

Machu Picchu Guide - InkaRail

Whether to the train station in Cusco (Poroy) or Ollantaytambo - you definitely have to take the bus from the bus station in Cusco to the starting point of your train journey.

The train journey ends in Aguas Calientes. From here, a bus will take you up to the Machu Picchu entrance for around $ 20. There is also a footpath that climbs steeply for around two hours. But I would recommend you to invest in the bus and give up the energy for Machu Picchu yourself. There are still enough (nicer) ways to work out!

Trails: Inca Trail and alternatives

You can only really enjoy what you have developed? This also applies to Machu Picchu for me. The feeling when the scenery suddenly appears in front of you after a strenuous hike can hardly be described. I went on a trek on both visits and can only recommend it to anyone who generally likes hiking. The path is as beautiful as Machu Picchu itself!

Inca Trail

The Inca Trail is the classic Machu Piccu hike. In four days, it leads along the original Incan paths over Andean passes, past ruins and through mystical forests until you reach Inti Punku Machu Picchu through the sun gate on the last day. You sleep in the tent and hike around 4-8 hours a day. In addition, the height should not be underestimated. Because the path is partly over 4,000 meters high. If that doesn't scare you, you should reserve your place as early as possible, 6-12 months in advance, as the number of hikes on the trail is limited and this means that it is actually always sold out. To get to the starting point of the hike, take the train from Ollantaytambo to the starting point of the hike at “Bahnkilometer 82 ″. You can also book the Inca Trail directly via Intrepid as part of your Peru tour!

Lares Trek

The first time I visited Machu Picchu, I chose the Lares Trek. This is very little frequented and offers an insight into the life of the Peruvian rural population. The path leads in three days from the village of Lares, which gave the trek its name, to Ollantaytambo. Machu Picchu is only a short train ride from there. The Lares Trek is shorter and therefore a little "lighter" than the Inca Trail. But here, too, we spend the night in the tent and the Ipsaycocha Pass (4,450m) has to be overcome, where it can even snow (it happened to me too!). From Ollantaytambo you can get to Machu Picchu by train like all other visitors.

Salkantay trek

The Salkantay Trek is another alternative to the traditional Inca Trail. However, it is considered the hardest and toughest of all Machu Picchu treks. The trek crosses the Salkantay Pass at 4600m, climbs into the cloud forest and passes the Inca ruins Llactapata with a view of Machu Picchu. The Salkantay Trail also does not end directly at Machu Picchu itself, but in Santa Teresa or Hidroelectrica (see low budget alternative to the train journey).

But there are some other Inca Trail alternatives like the Inca Quarry Trail or the demanding 9-day Choquequirao Trail.