The Inca Empire, the largest ancient civilization in pre-Columbian America, flourished from around 1200 to 1533. They were established in what is now Peru, and Machu Picchu stands as a testament to the amazing civilization.
This massive site is perched high on a plateau between two forested peaks of the Andes. It was the Inca Empire’s greatest city before it was completely abandoned. The Inca civilization had no written language, but archaeologists believe Machu Picchu was occupied from around 1420 to 1532.
It sat hidden among the Andes for centuries before it was rediscovered in 1911.
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These days, the citadel is one of the Seven New Wonders of the World – and Peru’s largest attraction. It’s also one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. More than 1.5 million people visit Machu Picchu each year. Peru even increased the number of visitors allowed to visit to keep up with tourist demands.
With numbers like that for this iconic site, it’s safe to assume that plenty of you are dreaming of visiting. However, it’s not as easy as just showing up. Thanks to the overwhelming amount of tourists each year, rules in place to help with preservation, and the remote location atop a mountain, there is a lot more that goes into planning a visit. It’s important to know exactly what you’re getting into when you’re getting into it, and what you should or shouldn’t bring.
Buy Tickets Way in Advance
When it comes to Machu Picchu, never ever wait until after you’ve arrived in Peru to buy your tickets. If you’re lucky, it’s possible to snag tickets a few days ahead of time during parts of the summer season. However, tickets regularly sell out during peak season. At one point, tickets were sold out several months in advance!
Avoid the disappointment of trekking all the way there, only to find out there are no more tickets left for that day. If you’re hoping to do other things in the area, such as the Inca Trail, you might even have to book as far in advance as a year.
Best Time of Year to Visit
Although you can visit the site at any time of the year, some times are better than others. It might seem like summer would be ideal, but this is when Peru sees frequent heavy showers. You can chance it if you’re hoping for smaller crowds, but even then, Machu Picchu won’t be anywhere near empty. It’s worth noting that the Inca Trail is closed for part of the summer season because of landslide risks.
If you have the choice, plan your visit during winter, which runs from May to September. This is Peru’s dry season, and you can expect more sunny weather. While it does rain more at Machu Picchu than in the rest of Peru, your chances of having good weather during this time are much higher.
What to Bring
First and foremost, bring sunblock and a rain jacket or poncho. You never know what kind of weather you’ll get, and you don’t want to chance a bad experience. Similarly, you’ll want some heavy-duty bug repellent so the biting midges or sandflies don’t ruin your visit, either.
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Don’t forget your passport! You’ll obviously need it just to travel to Peru, but you need it to enter Machu Picchu, too. They will require you to show your passport along with your ticket to enter the site.
Leave single-use plastic water bottles at the hotel, though. These aren’t allowed, and neither is outside food. It’s to protect both the ruins and the wildlife that lives nearby. Pack yourself a reusable water bottle, and grab a bite at the restaurant after your tour is done.
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And I know this is a trip of a lifetime and all, but tripods, selfie sticks, or any other extensions aren’t allowed inside. Go ahead and start practicing getting selfies the old-fashioned way.
Arrive Early
Again, this is no regular tourist attraction. Whether it’s arriving at Machu Picchu, or simply getting to the bus in Aguas Calientes, it’s important to arrive earlier than you need to.
For the bus ride, you’ll need to arrive around an hour earlier to get in line and actually get on the bus. There are tons of other people making the same exact trip as you, and you don’t want to miss your ride to the site.
Once you arrive at Machu Picchu, you’ll have to get in line again. All tickets have an allotted time to enter the site, but it could take hours for the hundreds of people in line to make it through the gate. Show up as early as you can, so you can actually get in as soon as possible.
Go to the Bathroom On Arrival
We’re pretty spoiled these days with restrooms available just about anywhere. Machu Picchu does not. Once you get inside the ruins, you will not find any modern bathrooms.
There is a bathroom outside the gate that costs one sol (about a quarter USD) to use. Do yourself a favor and take advantage of it before you start your tour. If you do need to go after getting inside, you are allowed one re-entry during your visit to go to the bathroom or grab food at the restaurant. However, if you’ve stayed later than your allotted time, you won’t be allowed back in for re-entry.
