If you are preparing to visit Cusco and Machu Picchu, an icon of tourism in Peru and South America, in addition to being one of the 7 wonders of the world with various tourist destinations invites us to connect with the ancestral cultures to know the values, customs and ways of life of the local people. Discover the impressive and mysterious history of the great Inca civilization.
Here are some useful tips for traveling to Machu Picchu and not having any complications during your trip.
Contents
1.-Book in advance.
Instead of wasting “valuable time” in waiting inside an office of the Ministry of Culture of Cusco, you could visit the Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha), the fortress of Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Pucapucara among many other attractions that are within the Cusco city, while our agency is responsible for booking tickets and organizing all the details of your trip for you.
Machu Picchu is the icon of tourism in Peru, it is the most visited place by tourists from all over the world especially the months of June, July and August for this, you should know that both the tickets to Machu Picchu and the train tickets must be booked in advance.
Reserve train tickets
Booking in advance gives you a better chance of getting train tickets, at the most comfortable service and schedule you want. Although it makes no sense that your trip to Machu Picchu is interrupted by not finding the train tickets, for the reservation of the train tickets there are two companies that provide the service; Peru Rail and Inca Rail. Now if you think that train costs are an excess, you have the option of going in a minivan on the alternate route of Santa Maria, Santa Teresa, hydroelectric and Aguas Calientes town that is a less expensive road than traveling by train; however more long in time and available all year round, there are many tourists who take this route because it is cheaper.
Book the entrance tickets to Machupicchu.
This ticket is administered by the Regional Directorate of Culture – Cusco (DRC-C) that includes different activities within the same Archaeological Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. These Tickets must be acquired with considerable anticipation time even more if you are planning to travel in high season between the months of June, July and August for which there is an availability of 2500 tickets per day at the points of sale authorized by the Ministry of Culture at the headquarters in Cusco and Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town) or by internet (http://www.machupicchu.gob.pe.).
It is worth mentioning that from 2019 the entrance and visit to the National Archaeological Park of Machu Picchu is done at different times, they can be at 6 – 7-8-9- 12- 13 – 14 hours, depending on availability, specified by the Regional Directorate of Culture- Cusco (DRC-C).
2.- Ways of Access to Machu Picchu.
There are several ways to get to Machu Picchu from the most comfortable way (by train), to that of an adventure (trek).
Inca Trail.- This route is best known by travelers around the world is a four-day hike in its classic version that begins at km 82 of the Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes railway line. There is also a short 2-day version that starts at km 104 of the same railway line. Now the Inca trail must be booked 5 to 6 months in advance. Nor can you go on your own: it is mandatory to hire an authorized tourism agency.
Salkantay Trail.- The Salkantay Trail is a route that is currently in high demand because it is an alternative route to the traditional Inca trail. Which passes through the snowy Salkantay (6,271 m.a.s.l.), the Humantay lake and then descends into the jungle and then arrives at Machu Picchu. It can be done freely but it is not recommended. The advisable thing is that they hire the service of an agency so that they do not have any complications and is available between the months of March to December.
Inca Jungle Trail.-This is a tour that also has been quite popular because it is an adventure route where you can do sports such as cycling, rafting , ziplining and a walking to Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu by minivan.- Machu Picchu can be reached by minivan on a 7-hour trip. Start in Cusco through the Malaga pass (4,350 m.s.n.m) and descend to the town of Santa Maria (1,204 m.s.n.m) and continue to Santa Teresa (1,500 m.s.n.m) and reach the place called hidroelectrica. Then there will be a walk of 2 to 3 hours depending on your physical condition and reach the city of Aguas Calientes.
Choquequirao to Machupicchu .- This is another alternative route that people who love hiking through the mountains, it is a tour that takes 7 -8 -9 or 10 days depending on the availability of your time you can enjoy stunning views of the glaciers from the Vilcabamba mountain range, deep canyons, in short you can feel the different seasons of the year in 8 days of walking and reach Machupicchu.
4.-Climate and environment in Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu can be visited all year. Now, you should keep in mind that if you decide to travel between the months of December to March you will find rains and you may not have one of the best views of Machupicchu, on the contrary, if you decide to travel from April to October, it is much safer than find sunny and clear days. Although the most important thing is to be there and see it closely and enjoy this wonder.
NOTE: From December to March are the months that we have more rainfall every day, so sometimes we have mudslides and landslides that can block the paths of the different treks to Machupicchu and can take hours or days to unlock.
5.-Useful things to take to Machu Picchu
It is clear that in both situations, whether the rainy season (summer) or dry season (winter) depends on the things you are going to wear. But it should be remembered that Machu Picchu is going to walk on trails, for many hours each day, depending on the different options mentioned above the level of difficulty and physical requirement will be greater or lesser. Therefore, here are some tips:
- A lightweight backpack 25 LT Maximum.
- Original Passport
- Comfortable shoes
- Hat or cap
- Sun glasses.
- Extra money.
- Sunscreen.
- Mosquito repellent
- Sleeping bag .
- Walking sticks
- Plastic rain poncho.
6.-High season and Low season
The number of foreign tourists as peruvians increases in the dry season (June, July, August), which is why there are months with a large influx of tourists, months which are called High Season. The month of June is the one with the highest demand for the Jubilee Festivities of Cusco, being the Inti Raymi (Fiesta del Sol) the event preferred by visitors.
7.-Enjoy.
Remember that Peru is not only Machu Picchu. It is a great country with a great variety of natural, archaeological and historical attractions. In Peru you can discover beautiful cities like Arequipa and its deep canyons of Colca and Cotahuasi, Puno accompanied by the amazing Lake Titicaca, the Amazon jungle of Tambopata, the enigmatic Nazca Lines and fall in love with the flavors of gastronomy, crafts and culture that still in force