🇵🇪Peru·Americas
Machu Picchu
The Lost City of the Incas
dest.flightsFrom
£799
dest.hotelsFrom
£45/per night
dest.budgetPerDay
£70
dest.avgTemp
13°C
dest.bestTime
May to September
dest.safety
7.5/10
dest.about Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is one of the world's greatest archaeological wonders — a 15th-century Inca citadel perched on a cloud-shrouded mountain ridge in the Peruvian Andes. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, it's a bucket-list destination that exceeds every expectation.
dest.topHighlights
The Citadel
Explore the perfectly preserved Inca city with its temples, terraces, and astronomical alignments
Sun Gate (Inti Punku)
Hike to the original Inca Trail entrance for the classic first view of Machu Picchu
Huayna Picchu
Climb the iconic steep peak above the citadel for vertiginous views — book months ahead
Aguas Calientes
The gateway town with hot springs, restaurants, and the train to Machu Picchu
Inca Trail Trek
The classic 4-day trek through cloud forest and Inca ruins to the Sun Gate
Sacred Valley
Explore Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and the salt pans of Maras on the way to Machu Picchu
dest.thingsToDo Machu Picchu
- Explore the Machu Picchu citadel at sunrise
- Hike to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku)
- Climb Huayna Picchu mountain (book ahead)
- Walk the Inca Trail (4 days)
- Visit the Sacred Valley and Pisac market
- Explore Ollantaytambo fortress
- Soak in the hot springs at Aguas Calientes
- Take the Vistadome train through the Andes
dest.weather Machu Picchu
dest.bestMonthsToVisit May to September
4-dest.day Machu Picchu dest.itinerary
Arrive Cusco
- ·Fly Lima to Cusco
- ·Acclimatisation rest
- ·Plaza de Armas exploration
- ·Light dinner
Sacred Valley
- ·Pisac market and ruins
- ·Ollantaytambo fortress
- ·Train to Aguas Calientes
- ·Dinner and hot springs
Machu Picchu
- ·Bus to citadel at 6am
- ·Guided tour of the ruins
- ·Sun Gate hike
- ·Return to Aguas Calientes
Return to Cusco
- ·Morning at leisure
- ·Train back to Cusco
- ·San Blas neighbourhood
- ·Farewell dinner
dest.whereToEat Machu Picchu
Indio Feliz
French-Peruvian · Aguas Calientes · $$
Toto's House
Peruvian · Aguas Calientes · $$
Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge
International · Machu Picchu entrance · $$$$
Chicha por Gastón Acurio
Peruvian · Cusco · $$$
dest.practicalInformation
dest.visaRequirements
Visa-free for UK, US, EU, Australian, and most Western passport holders (183 days). Entry ticket to Machu Picchu must be purchased in advance online — daily visitor numbers are capped.
dest.gettingAround
Train from Cusco or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (PeruRail or Inca Rail). Bus from Aguas Calientes to the citadel entrance. Walking within the site. No cars allowed.
dest.currency
PEN (Sol)
dest.timezoneLanguage
GMT-5 · Spanish / Quechua
dest.frequentlyAskedQuestions
Do I need to acclimatise before visiting?
Yes — Cusco is at 3,400m altitude. Spend 2–3 days in Cusco before visiting Machu Picchu (2,430m). Drink coca tea, avoid alcohol, and take it slow.
How do I get tickets to Machu Picchu?
Book online at the official Peruvian Ministry of Culture website well in advance. Tickets sell out months ahead, especially for Huayna Picchu.
Is the Inca Trail worth it?
Absolutely — but it requires booking 6+ months ahead (only 500 people per day). The Salkantay Trek is a great alternative if the Inca Trail is full.
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