Machu Picchu

Una aventura excitante. El viaje en tren (tres horas) te recrea toda la hermosura del paisaje. Maravilloso lugar, hay que caminar mucho pero al final... te transportas a otro mundo. Los inkas merecen nuestro respeto!!!

Visiting Machu Picchu isn't cheap, but it’s worth. As of April 2008, the entrance fee for foreigners is S/. 122 (US$ 41); students with an ISIC pay S/. 61 (US$20) and Peruvians with ID pay S/.62 (US$20).

In order to visit Machu Picchu you have to go to Cusco first and from there you could reach Machu Picchu:
•Train: The most common way. The train terminates at Puente Ruinas station, where buses take tourists up the mountain.
•On foot: Hiking the Inca Trail. It takes about four days, and you only have to pay the entrance fee.
•Bus: From Machu Picchu pueblo Aguas Calientes a traveler can take one of the frequent buses to the ruins (US$7 each way). It is also possible to walk the distance, about 2 hours (8 km).

Rather than returning from the ruins the same day, you can stay overnight near the ruins. There are many hotels at Aguas Calientes, but only one hotel at Machu Picchu itself (Sanctuary Lodge). Buses run from Aguas Calientes to the ruins throughout the day, an 8 km ride up the mountain (approximately one and a half hours by walking).

The entrance ticket to Machu Picchu is valid for 3 days, but only allows you 1 visit to the park. You could get it at the entrance of the park or in Cusco City, which I recommend if you are visiting the park during the high season. The low season is the rainy one which starts in Dec and ends in March. Nevertheless, there are always people visiting Machu Picchu.

Big backpacks are not allowed, but there is luggage storage at the entrance. Your ticket will tell you that you cannot bring food or water bottles into the site. Buying them at the site is expensive, and plastic bottles are not offered (glass only). Purchase food and plenty of water and bring it with you. Just don’t throw garbage and everything will be ok.

Machu Picchu is amazing. These Incan ruins were “discovered” by Hiram Bingham in 1911. The true purpose of Machu Picchu is unknown, but the most widely accepted theory is that it was a winter retreat for Inca Pachacutec. The stone buildings and terraces are nestled on a mountain top high above the Rio Urubamba. Many people come to Peru with Machu Picchu as their main destination. It became a UNESCO world heritage site in 1983 and was recently named one of the 7 new wonders of the world.

From the main entrance, hike up the steps and switchbacks to see the main postcard view of the entire complex. Arrows guide you as you wander the ruins but guides are also available to give you more information. Its best to get there early in the morning before the Cusco crowd arrives. You can see agricultural terraces, the Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Three Windows, fountains, sacred stones, and residences. If you have the time and money, a guide is recommended. If you prefer to spend more time hiking Huayna Picchu, the mountain behind Machu Picchu, you might not have enough time to do both.

The ruins are well preserved and the building stones fit together extremely well. The terraces have drainage built in so when they were discovered they were in remarkably good shape. Some of the ruins are undergoing reconstruction but you are free to wander around most of the complex – just don’t cross the roped off areas. Make sure to bring plenty of water because it is expensive to buy water on site.

You must buy your ticket to Machu Picchu in Cusco or Aguas Calientes before you go to Machu Picchu. The ticket is S/138 for adults, cheaper for students with ID, and they only accept cash in Soles.

Oh WOW!!!!! Going to Machu Picchu was something really amazing....i feel like it was a spiritual experience. This place should be on everyones list of places to go in the world. i would most definitely go back there! We took the Hiram Bingham train up from Cuzco, great way to go, unless you want to do the Inca trail...but that is a 4 day hike...im not down with that personally. but the train was lovely. we stayed at the Inca Terra resort, on the pricey side... but gorgeous! great trip, loved every minute, so historic.

Do you mean on Christmas Day? or Christmas time? They close it on Christmas day. You can stay at Aguas Calientes for the night and hike up to MP, but they closed the gates, but there are other hill around so you don't necessary have to spend Christmas at the citadel.

In order to get here, you have to take a four hour train that leaves from Cuzco. My friends and I took the 6am train. Then you have to take a bus that takes you all the way up there, it only takes about 15 minutes. Once you get there, you will be impressed with what you see up there, the Great Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu.