Tips For Traveling To Machu Picchu

Do you plan to travel to Machu Picchu? Your visit will undoubtedly be an unforgettable experience, it is for this reason that Kantu Peru Tours offers you the best tips that you should keep in mind so that your visit to this wonder of the world is the best experience of your life.

TIPS TO PLACE MACHU PICCHU

1. Plan the trip to Machu Picchu

The first thing to plan is the season in which you will visit Cusco and Machu Picchu, in this area there are 2 very marked times of the year: Rainy season (November to March) and dry season (April to October). The influx of visitors in the dry season is much greater than in the rainy season.
Machu Picchu is a popular destination for people from all over the world, about 4000 people visit it every day.
You must buy your ticket entrance for Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail or Huayna Picchu months in advance, since these tend to run out quickly, especially those of the Inca Trail and Huayna Picchu that to ensure you must buy them at least 6 months in advance.
Remember to carry your valid passport or identity document, check the expiration date.

2. When is the best time to visit Machu Picchu?

The best time to visit Cusco and Machu Picchu is between April and October (dry season), the days are very hot and the nights are somewhat cold. It is a suitable time to visit Machu Picchu through trekkings (Inca Trail, Salkantay, etc.) and to enjoy 100% of the wonders that this beautiful land offers you. This is the time with the largest influx of visitors.
Between November and March it is the rainy season, the weather becomes mild and the rains are abundant especially the month of February. If you are scheduled to travel at this time, for Machu Picchu traditional programs are the most recommended. You will enjoy the greenery of the inter-Andean landscapes typical of this era. Being the time with fewer visitors will have more space for you to enjoy this beautiful land.

3. How to buy the Machu Picchu Ticket?

Tickets for Machu Picchu are administered by the Regional Directorate of Culture and have limited availability of 800 entries per shift.
There are 3 types of tickets: Machu Picchu Solo, Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu + Mountain, each of them has different schedules available.
To buy the tickets to Machu Picchu you have three booking alternatives: online, in person in Cusco or through a travel agent.
ON THE INTERNET: You must enter the Machu Picchu Ticket website in the availability section, choose one of the 3 types of ticket and the desired schedule and check availability. Once verified, you must fill out a form with all your data. After completing the form, you will have the option to pay in person at the bank of the nation in Peru or by Visa, Master Card, American Express, Diner Club or by Pay Pal and follow the payment process according to the payment method chosen . After the payment is made, within 24 to 48 hours you will receive by email your Ticket to Machu Picchu which you must present on the day of your visit to Machu Picchu. Finally, you must send your valid identity document or passport to the Machu Picchu Ticket mail, in case of a student, also send your current University Card to obtain a discount.
PRESENTALLY IN CUSCO: You must go to one of the offices of the Ministerio de Cultura Cusco with your valid passport and valid university card in case you are a student to obtain a discount. Payment can be in cash or by credit or debit card. We suggest taking a prudent time since you will have to stand in line, especially in the high season.
This option is not recommended because of the risk of not finding tickets available for admission to Machu Picchu and more if it is for the first shift which is very demanded and must be booked several months in advance.
THROUGH A TRAVEL AGENT: You must send to your travel agent by email the copy/photo of your passport or identity document and the university card in case of student for a discount, your agent will be responsible for making the purchase and choose the best schedule for your visit.

4. What do I need to take to Machu Picchu?

• The most important thing is the documentation, you must carry your valid passport or identity document that contains the same number with which you made the reservation.
• Extra emergency money; In Aguas Calientes there are exchange houses and banks so you can also use credit and debit cards
• Personal medication (asthma inhalers, diabetes medications, etc.), it will also be useful to carry basic medication for altitude sickness and some antibiotics.
• Water bottle.
• Snacks.
• Insect repellent.
• Sunscreen
• Plastic bags with closure

Regarding the clothing, it will depend a lot on the time of the year in which you make your visit:

• Trekking shoes, especially if you plan to visit one of the mountains of Machu Picchu.
• Medium backpack
• Swimwear (in case you are going to visit the hot springs)
  In dry season: The days are hot.
• Sunglasses.
• Hat or cap.
• Sunscreen.
• Long sleeve cotton shirts.
• Light pants or shorts (In Machu Picchu there are many mosquitoes, if you are going to go in shorts or in a skirt it will be very necessary to carry repellent).
• Warm clothes: The nights are a bit cold In rainy season:
• Waterproof backpack cover.
• Warm clothes: Coat, coat.
• Waterproof clothing.
• rain poncho.

Regarding electronic elements

• Photographic camera.
• Extra batteries.
• Additional storage memory.
• Power adapter.

Hygiene accessories, especially if you are going to spend the night in Aguas Calientes:

• Hair comb
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss.
• Shampoo, soap, towel.
• Deodorant.
• Machine and shaving cream.

5. What are the rules to follow in Machu Picchu?

The rules to enter Machu Picchu are updated every year by the Peruvian government in order to manage the growing number of visitors. Here is a summary of the rules in force for 2019 and 2020.

• There are 9 entry shifts to Machu Picchu, one every hour from 06:00 hrs to 14:00 hrs, each of them allows the visit of the citadel for 4 hours.
• If you have the entrance ticket for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain you will have 2 additional hours, in total 6 hours to visit Machu Picchu and the mountain.
• You will not be able to enter the citadel without the company of a tour guide.
• You can only enter Machu Picchu once, the toilets are outside the citadel, it is very important to use it before entering, because if you need to leave to use it, you will not be able to enter again.
• There are 3 circuits to tour the citadel, each one adapted to the different needs of visitors.
• The entrance to Machu Picchu site museum “Chavez Ballon” is free during the afternoon (12:00 hrs – 16:00 hrs), you only have to present your valid passport or identity document.

PROHIBITIONS:

• Forbidden Enter with: Alcoholic beverages, umbrellas, tripods, shoes with heels or hard soles, baby cars, walking stick with a hard support tip, drones, banners, panels, advertising.
• Undressing, disguise oneself, lying down, running, jumping or screaming.
• Smoke
• Feed the animals.
• Move lithic structures

6. What to do with altitude sickness?

In Cusco it is known as soroche, because of the height at which Cusco is located, it is a recurring problem among visitors in different grades.
At more than 2400 m.a.s.l., the air is thinner, that is, there is less pressure, so when breathing, we inhale less oxygen than usual. The body counteracts this in order to obtain more oxygen than usual, which manifests itself with various symptoms. Regardless of your place of origin, you can get sick from altitude sickness.
Symptoms: Dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, tachycardia, headache, difficult breathing, diarrhea.
To face altitude sickness follow these recommendations:

• Keep calm.
• Breath deeply.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Drink enough water.
• Take Sorojchi Pills. You can buy it without a prescription.
• Bring drops of chlorophyll.
• Drink coca tea.

If your symptoms are critical, go to the medical center

7. How much money to take to Machu Picchu?

The amount of money you should bring on your visit to Machu Picchu is relative to your preferences. In Machu Picchu there are restaurants and lodgings of different prices and standards.
An average you should carry is between USD 200 to USD 300.
The expenses there will be: lodging, food and recurring expenses such as drinks, snacks. Also the entrance to the hot springs if you want to visit them.
The most used currencies are the US dollar and the Peruvian Sol. Being a tourist area despite being a very small town, Aguas Calientes has exchange houses and banks.

8. What are the entry times to Machu Picchu?

From 2019 the entrance shifts to Machu Picchu varied with respect to the previous years.
Now it is only allowed to enter Machu Picchu once, there is no more reentry.
There are 3 types of entrance to Machu Picchu: Here the types with their respective entrance schedules.
Machu Picchu Single: Any of these schedules allow you to stay in the citadel until 4 hours after admission:
– 06:00 am
– 07:00 am
– 08:00 am
– 09:00 am
– 10:00 am
– 11:00 am
– 12:00 pm
– 01:00 pm
– 02:00 pm

Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu: Allows you to stay in the citadel and the mountain 6 hours after admission.
– 06:00 am Entrance to Huayna Picchu 07:00
– 07:00 am Entrance to Huayna Picchu 07:00
– 08:00 am Entrance to Huayna Picchu 10:30

Machu Picchu + Mountain: Allows you to stay in the citadel and the mountain 6 hours after admission.
– 06:00 am Entrance to Machu Picchu Mountain 07:00
– 07:00 am Entrance to Machu Picchu Mountain 07:00
– 08:00 am Entrance to Machu Picchu Mountain 09:00

9. Where can you spend the night?

In Machu Picchu there are many hotels with a variety of styles, prices and categories.
Due to the huge number of visitors, they tend to run out of availability, which is why it is advisable to book a few months in advance.
You can book directly with the hotels or through a travel agent.
[addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox_ulje”]

[carousel_slide id=’2927′]