Visiting the ancient Incan citadel of Machu Picchu often sits at the top of many bucket lists. After all, it is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. For the occasional traveler, sometimes ya gotta pick and choose your adventures. In most cases, vacation days and time are limited, therefore you really need to make the most of your getaway and fill it with adventure.
When you fall into this category, you may ask yourself is Machu Picchu worth visiting? Is the hype real about this place? Is it easy to get to? And how much is the whole thing going to cost me? Ultimately the choice is up to you to decide, but we wanted to share our thoughts, give our two cents, and dive into the polarizing topic, is Machu Picchu worth visiting?
How Do I Even Get There?
Step one, get to Peru. The most popular route is to land in Lima first. Once you get to Jorge Chavez International Airport in the capital city of Lima, Cusco is an hour and a half flight from there. After reaching Cusco you have to choose your train route. You’ll either decide between station Poroy (30 mins away), Urubamba (1.25 hrs away), or Ollantaytambo (1.5 hrs away) in the sacred valley.
We took a pretty cheap collectivo to Ollantaytambo and rolled on the Inca Rail Voyager. You can choose between two options, Peru Rail or Inca Rail. Both have bougie to budget options listed below from the cheapest to most expensive.
- Peru Rail – 4 different quality services: Vistadome trains, Expedition, Sacred Valley, and the Hiram Bingham luxury train
- Inca Rail – 4 different quality services: The Voyager, The 360º, The First Class, and The Private
🌎 BROS TIP: A collectivo is essentially a shared taxi usually in the form of a small sprinter van. They can be chaotic and a bit unpredictable at times. Sometimes they won’t even leave until the whole van is filled with passengers. On the upside, they offer some really cheap prices and they are a great way to save money and travel more sustainably. The collectivo from Cusco to Ollantaytambo cost us less than $2!
Train rides will take anywhere from 3.5 hours to 4.5 hours depending on where you depart from. And when you finally make it to Aguas Calientes, you can either take a shuttle to the ruins or hike up. We highly recommend the hike up. It can take 2-3 hours but it really gives you the sense that you’ve earned it. It feels like you’re climbing an insanely steep set of neverending stairs, but your muscles will be sore in the best kind of way. There are awesome views on the trail to take in.
🌎 BROS TIP: Go easy on the pisco sours and Cuqueñas and stay hydrated. The city of Cusco is located in the Peruvian Andes at an altitude of 3,399 meters / 11,152 feet above sea level. You may be feelin’ the altitude in a not so awesome way. Altitude sickness symptoms vary in each person, and they are usually: tiredness, fatigue, nausea, insomnia, headache, high heart rate, and lack of appetite. Acclimatize yourself. If it hits ya, symptoms usually disappear after 2/3 days.
Looking to Hike to Machu Picchu from Cusco?
Hiking tours are cool for travelers who want a full Inca experience. They typically consist of 3 to 4 days of trekking. Most excursions start in Cusco and end at Machu Picchu with a few stops along the way. This leaves the planning pretty straightforward. Most outfitters will even provide transportation back to Cusco after your visit to Machu Picchu. A nice thing is that most tour companies are all-inclusive to ease your worry along the journey.
Always double-check the itinerary and book with reputable companies. You get what you pay for here so avoid cutting costs. The last thing you want is a bad experience when it comes to hiking a few days in the woods with a guide you’ve never met.
Most Popular Hiking Options:
The Classic Inca Trail
- Most famous trek to Machu Picchu
- Must book 6 months in advance due to number of permits
- Considered to have high difficulty level
- Sleeping in tents every night
- Closed every year during the month of February
- Prices range from $600-$1500
- 4 Days of trekking with stops at famous Inca sites along the way
The Inka Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu
- Combination of trekking and adventure sports
- Medium level difficulty, 3 days of hiking
- Treks are usually available all year round
- Booking 2-3 weeks in advance depeding on outfitter
- Prices range from $250-$350
- 4 day option includes trekking on a part of the official Inca Trail
The Salkantay Trek
- 4-5 full days of trekking
- Passing through the Cordillera Vilcabamba, this trek is know for its natural beauty
- A highly difficult trek. Some hikers have said it is even harder than the Inca Trail
- Nat Geo has ranked it as one of the 25 best Treks in the world
- Booking 2-3 weeks in advance should be good to secure a spot
- Prices range from $280 to $450
The Lares Trek
- Visit native Andean communities
- A moderatly ranked hike that is not very technical
- Highlights natures wonders: mountains, glacial lagoons, hot springs and cloud forest valleys
- Prices range from $200 to $400
- 3 day trek with departures every few days
Whats Up With The Crowds?
Machu Picchu is one of those places where you don’t care how many people are there. Yes, it can be a tad bit annoying when you have to get queued up. But, you can’t help be simply in awe of the views. When you’re taking in the whole experience, it won’t matter who’s around you.
Another plus for why people should travel to Machu Picchu now is because Covid time, they’ve lowered the maximum number of visitors to somewhere around 650 people a day. In normal times, Machu Picchu used to receive as many as 3500 people per day. I guess there’s one upside to this new pandemic world. Especially for those seeking to travel and avoid the crowds.
As long as you are smart about your visiting time, the herds won’t be so bad. Meaning, grab your tickets ahead of time and go either super early or super late. Doors will open for the first group at 5:30 am and people will begin queuing up as early as 3 or 4. In the late afternoon, most people have made their way out of the park, and doors will close officially close at 5:30 pm.
Visiting during the offseason can be a solid option to avoid the masses. The Andes is divided into two main seasons, rainy and dry. The dry season runs from May through November and typically peaks with tourists visits. The rainy season is from December to April.
Statistically, there are far fewer visitors in the rainy season. Now obviously the weather can sometimes be inclement during these months, by they also happen to coincide with the winter in North America and Europe. Resulting in fewer tourists are visiting during that time.
A visit during the rainy season might be suitable if you don’t mind a little drizzle. Just be advised you may not get those epic photos you were hoping for due to the cloud coverage and low visibility. The thing is…It can rain at a moment’s notice at that altitude, so it’s always a roll of the dice.
For what it’s worth, we went smack in the middle of the high season in July and had incredible weather and could care less about the crowds. We even had the late afternoon tickets, but that didn’t stop us from having an extraordinary time. Keep your distance from the groups and don’t let anyone rush you. Be sure to soak it all in.
🌎 BROS TIP: Buy your train tix at the official train ticket offices in Cusco. You won’t get ripped off and are guaranteed no extra fees. You can get official tickets for entry into Machu Picchu via the Peruvian Ministry of Culture. (Casa Garcilaso on Calle Garcilaso), The office is open Mon-Sat, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Don’t forget to bring your passport, a valid student card (if required), plus a credit card or cash. **Regulations for buying tickets to enter Machu Picchu often change frequently**
Is it Expensive?
Aside from making memories, getting out of our comfort zone, and experiencing cultures in their fullest form, the Bros are all about traveling on a backpacker’s budget. We’re cutting costs every chance we can get when we’re on the road, so you know we wouldn’t go if you couldn’t do it on the cheap. We’d recommend having at minimum a week (optimally 2) or more set aside for this adventure, you’re going to need all of your energy.
Even the most broke backpacker can visit Macchu Picchu if they are creative enough. There are even blogs out there with details on how to hike along the train tracks and save money on a train fare! Everyone’s budget is a little bit different, but here’s a price breakdown of the main expenses you can expect to encounter:
- Flight to Lima – $550 (rough estimate)
- Domestic Flight from Lima to Cusco – $30
- Hostel in Cusco – $10 Average Per Night
- Collectivo to The Sacred Valley – $2-4 Round Trip
- Train Tickets – $140 Base Price Roud Trip
- Official tickets from Peru’s Ministerio de Cultura – $60 (Students under 25 = $35)
- Tour guide – $70 – 120 for private group guide
- Hostel for 2 nights in Aguas Calientes – $11 Average Per Night
- Meals – $12 Average Per Day
- Shuttle to the ruins (or hike for free)- $24
Should You Go? The Short Answer:
💯 YES! 💯
Go! Absolutely you should go. If you have the opportunity to visit Cusco, Peru, and get to Machu Picchu, you will not be disappointed. This place most certainly lives up to the hype! We’ve never met anyone who disliked vising Machu Picchu or was opposed to taking the trip. Everyone has their own tale to tell and even the most veteran travelers will tell you it is flat-out awesome.
The Inca citadel is truly an extraordinary place, and you can’t help but be mesmerized when you arrive. A lost city of the Incan Empire that’s hidden deep in the jungle, sitting on top of the magical Andes, like what?! Beautiful yet so mysterious at the same time.
It is almost surreal when you are there in person after looking at the same panorama you’ve seen a million times through photographs. You have to pinch yourself to believe it. The thin mountain air, the views, the history, the journey…Everything adds up to an incredible moment that you will never forget for the rest of your life.
Have you been to Machu Picchu?! Was Machu Picchu worth visiting for you? We’d love to hear about your experience! Drop a comment below!
Bonus: Day Hikes to Check Out Inside Machu Picchu:
Once inside the citadel, you have the option to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. Huayna Picchu is the famous peak seen in pictures of the citadel and Montaña Machu Picchu is the highest mountain in the surrounding area. These hikes require additional tickets and reservations. Spots are limited due to Covid restrictions and look like they may be sticking around for some time. Day hike details are as follows:
Huayna Picchu
- The highest peaked overlooking the ruinsMachu Picchu
- There are ancient Inca structures on the top
- Reaches an altitude of 2,720m
- 1 hour hike to the top
- Difficult hike – it’s straight vertical, you’re going to want to be in shape for this one
- 400 people max per day
Machu Picchu Mountain (Montaña Machu Picchu)
- Located at the southwest end of Machu Picchu
- A longer trek than Huayna Picchu averaging around 1 hour 30 to the summit
- Less steep and can typically be less crowded than alternative hikes
- Offers expansive views over the ruins and beyond
- 800 people max per day
The Sun Gate
- First view of Machu Picchu that hikers will have after trekking the Inca trail
- Accessable without having to do the Inca trail
- Provides a nice view of the ruins in the distance
Pin It For Later!
Looking for more advetures in Latin America? Check out our posts on:
- What to Expect When Hiking Peru’s Rainbow Mountain
- What You Should Know Before Visiting Bolivia’s Salar De Uyuni
- Connecting With Locals in Colombia
- Surviving The Death Road in Bolivia
- Where To Find Paradise in Panama
- 5 Reasons Mérida, Mexico Is A Great Digital Nomad Destination
- The Best Tacos in Mérida, Mexico
- What You Should Know Before Visiting the Mayan Ruins of Tulum, Mexico
READY TO VISIT MACHU PICCHU?
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