How to Reach Machu Picchu
Fly into Cusco (CUZ) — which sits at 3,400m altitude, so allow 1–2 days to acclimatize before strenuous activity. From Cusco, take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (the town below Machu Picchu), then a 20-minute bus up the mountain to the entrance gate.
Book Machu Picchu entry tickets months in advance — daily visitor numbers are strictly capped. Choose an early morning entry slot to arrive before the worst heat and cloud build-up.
Top Things to See & Do
1. The Classic Machu Picchu Circuit
The main citadel circuit takes 2–3 hours at a leisurely pace. The Sun Gate, the Intihuatana ritual stone, the Temple of the Sun, and the sweeping panoramic terrace views are the defining images of South America.
2. Sunrise at Machu Picchu
Book the earliest entry slot possible. As the sun rises over the mountains and morning mist swirls around the citadel, the sight is almost too beautiful to process. Worth setting an alarm for 4am in Aguas Calientes.
3. Huayna Picchu Mountain
The steep mountain directly behind the citadel appearing in every classic photograph. Only 400 visitors per day are permitted — book separately months ahead. The summit views are extraordinary.
4. The Inca Trail
The classic 4-day trek through cloud forest and Inca ruins to reach Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate is one of the world's great hikes. Permits sell out quickly months ahead.
5. The Sacred Valley
The valley between Cusco and Machu Picchu is dotted with extraordinary ruins — Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray — worth 2–3 days of exploration. The salt pans at Maras are surreally beautiful.
What to Eat in Peru
- Ceviche — raw fish cured in lime juice with chilli and red onion, Peru's defining dish
- Lomo saltado — Chinese-Peruvian stir-fry of beef, tomatoes, and peppers over rice and chips
- Pisco sour — the national cocktail: pisco brandy, lime, egg white, and bitters
- Quinoa soup — warming, nutritious, and perfect at high altitude
Best Time to Visit
The dry season (May–October) offers clear skies and the best trekking conditions. April and November are sweet-spot shoulder months with fewer crowds and good weather.
