Machu Picchu Guided Visit
A well-paced guided visit for travellers who already have accommodation or transport arranged and want expert interpretation inside the site.
Explore This Visit
Step into Machu Picchu the way it deserves
Arrive by train, walk through the Sun Gate or make it part of a wider Peru adventure. We will help you choose the route, circuit and pace that fit you best.
Overview
More than a place to tick off
Machu Picchu stands 2,430 metres above sea level in a tropical mountain forest above the Urubamba Valley. Most journeys begin in Cusco or the Sacred Valley, but the way you arrive changes the experience.
Come by train for a carefully timed visit, walk the Short Inca Trail to enter through the Sun Gate, or spend four days following the classic route through the Andes. There is no single best option—only the one that fits your time, energy and sense of adventure.
Ways to visit
The route is part of the story
Four ways in, from a single guided morning to four days on the trail. Each one arrives at the same place and makes a different journey of it.
Machu Picchu by Train
Travel through the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu Pueblo, then continue by bus to the entrance for a guided circuit of the site.
Explore the Train JourneyShort Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Walk into Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate after a rewarding day on the trail, then return the following morning for a guided visit.
Explore the Short Inca TrailClassic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Follow the historic route through mountain passes, cloud forest and remarkable Inca sites before reaching Machu Picchu on foot.
Explore the Classic Inca Trail
Journey ideas
Make Machu Picchu part of something bigger
Not sure how to combine Machu Picchu into a wider Peru trip? Here are the most common ways to build a route around it—depending on how much time you have and what you want to add.
The simplest combinations
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Cusco + Sacred Valley + Machu Picchu (classic loop)
The best first-time structure, with time to acclimatise and choose between train or trail.
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Machu Picchu as a one-day highlight
Works when you are short on time, but requires tight coordination of trains, buses and entry slots.
Add one more region
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Lake Titicaca
Andean culture and wide horizons, often paired with Cusco and Machu Picchu.
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The Amazon
A strong contrast in landscapes and wildlife after the Andes.
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Arequipa + Colca Canyon
Colonial city and canyon scenery, for travellers who want a deeper southern Peru route.
Journeys
Other programmes that include Machu Picchu
6 days
Classic Peru: Lima, Cusco & Machu Picchu
A compact introduction linking Peru’s coastal capital, the Sacred Valley, Cusco and Machu Picchu. View This Journey
8 days
Andean and Altiplano Experience
Combine Machu Picchu and Cusco with the wide horizons and living cultures of Lake Titicaca. View This Journey
9 days
Peru’s Biodiversity and Cultural Journey
Move from Andean history and Sacred Valley landscapes into the extraordinary life of the Amazon rainforest. View This Journey
11 days
The Best of Southern Peru
Travel through Machu Picchu, Cusco, Lake Titicaca, Arequipa and Colca Canyon in one carefully paced southern route. View This JourneyRule of thumb
If you include Machu Picchu, build the itinerary around the entry date and circuit first, then align trains, transfers and the rest of the route around that fixed point.
Good to know
Plan your visit to Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is a timed visit with a fixed circuit and route. Trains, buses, entry slots and guiding need to work as one continuous sequence—so the planning matters as much as the visit.
Getting there
Most travellers start in Cusco or the Sacred Valley and reach Machu Picchu through the Urubamba Valley.
- Standard route: Cusco → Sacred Valley / Ollantaytambo → train to Machu Picchu Pueblo → shuttle bus (or uphill walk) to the entrance → timed entry.
- Coordination matters: train time, bus queue time, and your entry slot must align.
- Arriving on foot: the Short and Classic Inca Trails enter on regulated routes and require advance permits through an authorised operator.
[EDITORIAL ROUTE MAP — TO BE PROVIDED. One line Cusco → Sacred Valley / Ollantaytambo → Machu Picchu Pueblo → the site, and a second line for the Short and Classic Inca Trails. No timetables on it.]
Compare Ways to Reach Machu PicchuTickets & entry
Your ticket is tied to a specific date, entry time, circuit and route. You follow a signed path rather than moving freely, so your choice affects what you will see.
- Choose the circuit and route before confirming trains and other services.
- Capacity, route names and seasonal access can change—always check the latest official information.
- Do not assume viewpoints or mountain add-ons unless the corresponding ticket is confirmed.
| Morning | Afternoon |
|---|---|
| From 06.00 to 07.00 hours | From 12.00 to 13.00 hours |
| From 07.00 to 08.00 hours | From 13.00 to 14.00 hours |
| From 08.00 to 09.00 hours | From 14.00 to 15.00 hours |
| From 09.00 to 10.00 hours | |
| From 10.00 to 11.00 hours | |
| From 11.00 to 12.00 hours |
Trains
Most rail journeys arrive in Machu Picchu Pueblo from Ollantaytambo, with some services starting from stations in Cusco or the Sacred Valley.
- Train tickets do not include entry to Machu Picchu.
- Departures and returns shape the whole day—plan around your entry slot.
- Check before booking: the real departure station, possible bus and train segments, luggage rules, and whether the timing works with your circuit.
When to visit
Machu Picchu can be visited year-round, but conditions change across the seasons.
- Dry season · May–September: generally clearer and busier; popular routes sell first.
- Shoulder months · April and October: a useful balance for many travellers.
- Wetter season · November–March: greener landscapes and a higher chance of rain.
One important distinction. The archaeological site normally operates year-round, subject to exceptional closures. The regulated Inca Trail network closes during February for annual conservation and maintenance; validate the official dates each year.
Before you go
- Bring the identification used for the booking—it is often checked.
- Pack a light rain layer and sun protection; the weather changes fast.
- Use a small daypack. Luggage allowances vary by train service.
- Expect stone paths, steps and uneven surfaces.
- Share mobility considerations before tickets are purchased.
Planning your visit
- One day can work if timings are tight and well-coordinated.
- Overnight stays in Machu Picchu Pueblo add flexibility and make early or less rushed visits easier.
- Book early when dates are fixed—especially for peak months, the Inca Trail, and limited-capacity routes.
The sanctuary
The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu / National Archeological park of Machu Picchu (SHM-PANM) is a natural and cultural area inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Covering 37,302 hectares (92,175 acres), it is one of the most biodiverse areas in Peru and contains more than 60 archaeological sites linked by a complex Inka road network.
Biodiversity
The SHM-PANM is one of the most biodiverse areas in Peru, it harbors 24 Andean and Amazonian ecosystems, from the humid montane forests at 1,900 meters (3,233 feet) to the peaks of more than 6,271 meters (20,574 feet).
This highly rugged geography allows the existence of ideal habitats for wildlife, including 75 species of mammals, 444 of birds, 14 of amphibians, 24 of reptiles and 377 of butterflies; in addition to 423 species of orchids and 332 of trees.
Llaqta or Inka city of Machupicchu
The most important archaeological site inside the SHM-PANM is the Llacta or Inka city of Machupicchu, which was planned and built beginning around 1,400 CE.
The site’s location reflects the need of the Inka State to have a religious, political, and administrative center with a sacred space that linked Inka-controlled land in the Andes and the Amazon basin.
Inka road network (RCI)
In the SHM-PANM, there are 42 sections covering an area of approximately 300 km, which interconnect all the archaeological monuments and are adapted to the area geomorphology.
Routes inside
In order to alleviate congestion in some areas within the Llacta, four (04) routes have been established, with small variations that your guide will choose to take (on the route), avoiding as much as possible to meet with other groups that make a similar visit.
Route 1
Visit of the Upper part, short route, with very steep paths and many stairways, recommended for people in good physical condition.
Highlights
- The guardian’s house (the view point to Machu Picchu)
- Upper cemetery area
- Western terraces
- Main gate to Machu Picchu
- Granite stone quarries
- Temple of the Sun (open from 13.00 to 16.00 hours)
- Ceremonial Fountains
- Southern terraces (agricultural area)
- Colcas or food deposits
Route 2
Visit of the Upper part, long route, with very steep paths and many stairways, recommended for people in good physical condition.
Highlights
- The guardian’s house (the view point to Machu Picchu)
- Upper cemetery area
- Main gate to Machu Picchu
- Granite stone quarries
- Temple of the Sun (open from 13.00 to 16.00 hours)
- The Sacred Plaza
- The main temple
- The temple of the three windows
- Intiwatana Pyramid
- The Sacred Rock, temple to the Pacha Mama
- The industrial neighborhood
- Hall of Mirrors / chamber of the mortars
- Ceremonial Fountains
- Eastern terraces
- Colcas or food deposits
Route 3
Visit the lower area, short tour, paths with fewer slopes, stairway to access the palace of the Inca, recommended for seniors and people with walking problems.
Highlights
- Colcas or food deposits
- Southern terraces (agricultural area)
- Ceremonial Fountains
- Palace of the Inca
- The industrial neighborhood
- Hall of Mirrors / chamber of the mortars
Route 4
Visit the lower area, long distance tour, paths with some slopes, stairways to access the palace of the Inca, the industrial zone, and the temple of the condor.
Highlights
- Colcas or food deposits
- Southern terraces (agricultural area)
- Ceremonial Fountains
- Palace of the Inca
- The industrial neighborhood
- Hall of Mirrors / chamber of the mortars
- The Sacred Rock, temple to the Pacha Mama
- The group of the three gateways
- The temple to the Condor
Huayna Picchu
This tour combines the hike (of two hours) to the mountain of Huayna Picchu with the tour of the lower part.
Admission schedule (200 people per day)
| Entry time | People |
|---|---|
| From 07.00 to 08.00 hours | 50 people |
| From 08.00 to 09.00 hours | 50 people |
| From 09.00 to 10.00 hours | 50 people |
| From 10.00 to 11.00 hours | 50 people |
| Group | Entry to Machu Picchu | Entry to Huayna Picchu | Exit time (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | From 6 am | From 7 to 8 am | at 12 m |
| Group 2 | From 7 am | From 8 to 9 am | at 1 pm |
| Group 3 | From 8 am | From 9 to 10 am | at 2 pm |
| Group 4 | From 9 am | From 10 to 11 am | at 3 pm |
More information about the admission to the mountain of Huayna Picchu
- Visitors must check in at the designated time and go directly to the entrance checkpoint of the Huayna Picchu mountain.
- They do not have the option of re-entering the Llaqta (routes 1, 2 and 3), and should take the complementary route (route 4) when leaving the Llaqta.
- The approximate time of the ascent and descent to the mountain averages two hours.
Visiting the citadel
Your ticket decides what you will see
Machu Picchu tickets are tied to a date, entry time, circuit and route. Visitors follow the signed route rather than moving freely through the site, and the viewpoints or structures included depend on the ticket selected.
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Circuit 1 — Panoramic
Best suited to elevated viewpoints and broad views over the citadel. Its routes can include the upper terrace and, depending on season and ticket, options such as Machu Picchu Mountain, Inti Punku or the Inca Bridge.
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Circuit 2 — Machu Picchu Classic
The most balanced choice for many first-time visitors, combining classic views with a route through important areas of the Inca city.
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Circuit 3 — Machu Picchu Royalty
Explores the lower urban and ceremonial sectors. Certain routes can be combined with Waynapicchu, the Great Cavern or Huchuypicchu, subject to ticket type and seasonal availability.
Before you book a circuit
Circuit rules, route names, capacity and seasonal access change. We never promise a specific viewpoint or mountain unless the corresponding ticket is confirmed, and we check the official position before every booking.
[LAST REVIEWED DATE — TO BE PROVIDED BY CLIENT. Required by the brief: this module must carry the date it was last checked.]
[OFFICIAL MINISTRY OF CULTURE LINK — TO BE CONFIRMED BY CLIENT. Required by the brief: the module must link to the official ticketing information.]
Travel style
Choose the comfort that feels right
The destination remains extraordinary. What changes is the level of privacy, accommodation, rail service and support built around it.
01
Classic
Everything essential, thoughtfully arranged
- Comfortable, carefully selected accommodation
- Reliable train service suited to the itinerary
- Guided visit and coordinated transfers
- The same operational and safety standards as every journey
USD 00Reference price per person
02
Superior · Most Popular
More comfort and flexibility
- Upgraded accommodation
- Panoramic train where schedules allow
- Added flexibility in transfers and timing
- Extra comfort before and after the visit
USD 00Reference price per person
03
Premium
A more private, seamless journey
- Standout hotels and highly personalised planning
- Premium or luxury rail where available
- Private transfers and guiding
- Additional services shaped around the occasion
USD 00Reference price per person
Safety, guiding and operational standards are the same at every level. Exact inclusions are set per itinerary, and a price is quoted once the programme, dates and party size are chosen.
Machu Picchu guides
Read before you choose
Straightforward advice for the decisions that shape your visit.
Destinations
Which Machu Picchu circuit should I choose?
Understand the views, walking and key differences before tickets are booked.
Read the guide [LAST REVIEWED DATE]
Planning
Train or Inca Trail: which route is right for me?
Compare time, physical effort and the experience of arriving by rail or on foot.
Read the guide [LAST REVIEWED DATE]
Planning
One day or overnight at Machu Picchu?
See what changes when you slow the journey down and stay in Machu Picchu Pueblo.
Read the guide [LAST REVIEWED DATE]
Logistics
What to pack for Machu Picchu
A practical list for changing weather, fixed circuits and a long day away from your main luggage.
Read the guide [LAST REVIEWED DATE]What travellers say about Machu Picchu with us
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Meet our Peru experts
The people who plan these trips are in Cusco. Ask them which circuit to hold, which train to take and whether your dates still work.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
The questions we are asked most about visiting Machu Picchu. If yours is not here, ask a planner directly.
How many days do I need for Machu Picchu?
One well-planned day can work if your route and timings are efficient. Staying overnight creates more flexibility and makes an early or less hurried visit easier. If you are walking the Inca Trail, allow two or four days depending on the route.
Can I visit Machu Picchu without hiking?
Yes. Most visitors travel by train to Machu Picchu Pueblo and continue by bus to the entrance. Walking within the archaeological site is still required, and the amount of climbing depends on your circuit.
Which circuit is best for a first visit?
It depends on availability, mobility and what you most want to see. Circuit 2 is often the most balanced choice, while Circuit 1 prioritises panoramic views and Circuit 3 focuses on lower sections and selected mountain routes.
How far ahead should I book?
Book as early as possible if your dates are fixed, particularly for peak months, the Inca Trail or mountain routes with limited capacity. Tickets are linked to a specific date, time and route.
Is Aguas Calientes the same as Machu Picchu Pueblo?
Yes. Machu Picchu Pueblo is the official name commonly used for the town also known as Aguas Calientes, where trains arrive and buses depart for the site.
Can I add Waynapicchu to my visit?
Only with the appropriate ticket and route, subject to age rules, availability and timing. It should be planned before the main Machu Picchu ticket is purchased.
Let us match the route to the way you want to arrive
Tell us how much time you have, how active you want to be and what matters most about the experience. We will bring the tickets, transport, guiding and pace together into one coherent journey.
Already have dates? Share them with us so we can check the right route and availability first.
