Visit Machu Picchu

A bucket list for sure, been wanting to visit this amazing place for 25yrs plus. lucked out on perfect weather during mid.-late Apr. 2025...it was perfect! "How is it possible that I feel nostalgia for a world I never knew..." "How do you explain that a civilization capable of building this...is wiped out to build...this [refers to Lima]" - The Motorcycle Diaries

Zen United States

Once in a lifetime experience - although I will probably come back and bring my family and try the other Circuits. Hiring a private guide was a very good decision. It was very emotional for me since I had wanted to visit since I was in the third grade and I am 66 years old. I was impressed with how well taken care of the site is.

Charla United States

World Citizen Mega World Traveler Eddie Sparks Peru's a funny place. When television was invented, mysterious Nazca lines appeared in a desert. Miraculously the president also ordered a giant resort to be built on this mountain but was never/perfectly finished. That made TV too. The walk from Hidroelectrico is funner than most but it is a bunch of railroad ties, rocks and semi-perilous railway river crossing. Not impossible. The mountains and rivers are beautiful. If you do walk, I would suggest paying for the bus for less time on your feet. I've walked down before, it takes 90 minutes. Its a huge investment that you may appreciate more in photos while spending your money on huacachina desert dune rides for the day instead. People like the wonder of Machu but who knows, its a 3 day investment of your life. Maybe a flight to Iguazu Brazil Side would be more romantic maybe not.

Ed United States

Bus transportation up to Machu Picchu was very efficient. Although the line we waited in to get on the bus was extremely long, the line moved very quickly and our wait time was about 15 to 20 minutes. No wait to get bus leaving Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu was very crowded. We did circuit 1 and 2 which mostly goes above Machu Picchu and had great views of Machu Picchu and surrounding mountains. If we had more time to spend in Agua Calientes, we would have liked to do some of the surrounding hikes.

Bradley United States

So glad to have made this trip, which was quite an impromptu choice just a few months ago. We went in December and the weather was perfect - booking 2 circuits over 2 days. The first day was an afternoon visit and it was cloudy and wet but so atmospheric! And the second day was an early morning visit and was warm and sunny- much better for the route 1 mountain circuit.

Justin United Kingdom

I went to Machu Picchu 2 times over 2 days. I scheduled it this way in case of bad weather, and to optimize my chances of seeing clear views. The hike from/to Aguas Calientes to/from Machu Picchu entrance is incredibly strenuous due to all the stairs. Meanwhile the bus option means waiting in a long time (it was a 1-hour wait for me starting at 7:40 AM, and a 20-minute ride). Between the 2 options, they took the same amount of time. Circuit 2 was amazing. Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains are beautiful. From 6:30 AM -7:30 AM in October there was fog, and then it started to lift. It was crowded from 6:30 AM - 9:30 AM, but it was excessively crowded my second day from 9:30 AM - 12 PM as there were more tour times during that window. Circuit 3 includes less of the major areas in the citidel, but climbing Huayna Picchu was rewarding. There were people of all ages hiking up Huayna Picchu. The stairs are very steep, and the "stairs of death" are short in depth. Some people said they used their hands to climb the stairs. There were a lot of traffic jams. A guide is necessary, at least for your first visit - you will get a lot more out of your experience. You can arrange one in advance. Many approached me as I was waiting in line for the bus. I was very happy with my guide Amoroso from the 5-day Salkantay Trek with Machu Picchu Reservations. 2 soles for the toilet, which has toilet paper, soap and water. $12 one-way or $24 round-trip for the bus. Vendors sell bottled water, Gatorade, Coca-Cola, and sandwiches. There is also a restaurant and a locker area, which I didn't use.

Samson