Machu Picchu travel: 5 things to know before you go

The Inca ruins at Machu Picchu in Peru remained hidden out of sight in the Andes Mountains for hundreds of years, save for a few families that lived there and farmed its famed terraces. But now, thousands of people visit the site daily, some arriving on foot after days of hiking, and others by by train from Cusco or by bus from the city of Aguas Calientes below. The ruins have much to teach its visitors, and the lush green views dotted by cloud cover are incomparable. If you’ve got Machu Picchu travel on the mind, here are a few things to know before you visit the ancient Incan city.

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Morning mist rises over Machu Picchu. Courtesy of Ally Marotti.

1. Get there early. More than 2,000 people visit Machu Picchu daily, and it’s a little difficult to take in the majesty of the ruins—or get a decent picture—with swarms of people around. Make sure you take the first bus up from Aguas Calientes in the morning at 5:30 a.m. (and get in line for that early, too) to get to the ruins right when the doors open at 6 a.m. That way, you’ll beat the crowds and get a killer view of the sun rising over the Andes.

Machu Picchu passport stamp. Courtesy of Ally Marotti

2. Bring your passport. The folks at the entrance to Machu Picchu don’t just check your ticket, they also check your passport. In fact, they won’t let you in if you don’t have it, and it would be a real bummer to have traveled the nearly 8,000 feet up to the ruins and not be able to go in and see the sights. Plus, they have a novelty stamp for your passport at Machu Picchu, so you can bring home some extra bragging rights.

Looking down on Machu Picchu from the top of Huayna Picchu. Courtesy of Lauren DeLeon.

3. Book your side hikes before you go. Once you’re inside, there are several side hikes you can take that will give you different views of Machu Picchu. The Incas built a trail up a nearby mountain called Huayna Picchu, which means “young peak” in Quechua. It’s more than 1,000 feet above Machu Picchu, which means “old peak” in Quechua, and offers great views of the ruins, but you have to get a ticket in advance since the hikers allowed up the peak are limited. Same goes for nearby Machu Picchu Mountain. Hikes to the Sun Gate and the Inca Bridge do not need to be scheduled in advance.

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Please note: It is not allowed to eat inside Machu Picchu. Courtesy of Kevin.

4. Bring your own food. You are going to want to spend most of the day in Machu Picchu, hiking around and taking it all in, so make sure you bring snacks. There’s only one restaurant up there and it’s mighty expensive. Note you’re not allowed to eat inside Machu Picchu, so make sure you eat your snacks just outside the front gates.

One-way bus tickets to Machu Picchu. Courtesy of Caroline Maramara.

5. Know your transportation options. One company controls all the buses that shuttle visitors up to and down from Machu Picchu, and there has been some controversy lately surrounding inflated prices for those bus rides. Inca Trail guides say the price for a ride up or down from the mountain, which is currently about $12.50 for a one-way ticket, is constantly increasing. If the price point is a little too sweet for your honeypot, know that it only takes about 40 minutes to hike from Machu Picchu back down to Aguas Calientes, and the views aren’t bad either.

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