National park · Peru
Machu PicchuSantuario Histórico de Machu Picchu
Go, but only with a timed ticket bought weeks ahead: enter 06:00–07:00 or after 14:00 to dodge the 10:00–14:00 tour crush; add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain only if you have acclimatised 2–3 days first.Go, but only with a timed ticket bought weeks ahead: enter 6:00 AM–7:00 AM or after 2:00 PM to dodge the 10:00 AM–2:00 PM tour crush; add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain only if you have acclimatised 2–3 days first.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
326 km²126 sq mi
approximate
Established
1981
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Peru ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Peru's migration authority (Migraciones) or a Peruvian consulate; keep the entry record you receive, as hotels may ask for it.
- Peru ↗Machu Picchu entry is by timed ticket for a named circuit, with daily caps; in high season tickets sell out weeks or months ahead. Buy tickets only from the official Ministry of Culture seller or a licensed agency.
- Peru ↗The classic Inca Trail needs a permit booked through a licensed operator, often months ahead; the trail closes every February for maintenance.
- Peru ↗Altitude sickness is common above 2,500 m: ascend gradually, rest on day one, and ask a doctor before travel if you have heart or lung conditions.
At a glance
- Country
- Peru
- Area
- 326 km²126 sq mi
- The historic sanctuary covers about 325 km² of ridge, cloud forest and river valley around the citadel (check).
- Established
- 1981
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Machu Picchu is an Inca citadel on a ridge above the Urubamba river at about 2,430 m, reached only by train to Aguas Calientes or on foot. Tickets are timed, capped and sold online, not at the gate. The site is compact and walkable, but the two summit hikes — Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain — need separate tickets that sell out first. Arrive early or late, not at midday.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1983Listed as the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
- Special national site · 1981Declared a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary.
Size and age
326 km²126 sq mi · national park since 1981
The historic sanctuary covers about 325 km² of ridge, cloud forest and river valley around the citadel (check).
Why go
- The best-preserved Inca stonework anywhere: the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana and the Room of the Three Windows still stand as built.
- A setting you cannot fake: terraces dropping 450 m to the Urubamba, with Huayna Picchu behind the classic view.
- Two summit hikes above the ruins give a bird's-eye plan of the whole citadel.
- The Inca Trail arrives through the Sun Gate, so your first sight of the city is from above.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanHeavy rain; Inca Trail closed in February
- FebWettest month; Inca Trail closed; fewer crowds
- MarRain easing; cloud often hides the ridge
- AprDry season starts; green terraces, clearing skies
- MayDry, clear mornings; busy but manageable
- JunPeak dry season and peak crowds
- JulClear and cold at night; book far ahead
- AugBusiest month; tickets sell out first
- SepDry, slightly quieter than mid-winter
- OctRain returns late in the month; still good
- NovWet afternoons; bring a shell
- DecRain and cloud; flexible days needed
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orchids in the sanctuary (90+ species)Mar–Nov · Best on the cloud-forest edges of the trails. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Cock-of-the-rock (tunqui)Apr–Oct | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Spectacled bearAll year · Rare; reported on the forested trails below Huayna Picchu. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Butterflies and insectsOct–Apr | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Cusco
Train from Poroy or a bus to Ollantaytambo then train to Aguas Calientes; no road reaches the town.
3.5–4.5 h
From Ollantaytambo
Direct train down the Urubamba valley to Aguas Calientes.
1.5–2 h
From Aguas Calientes
Consettur bus up the switchbacks, or walk the steep stair route beside the road.
30 min by bus; 1.5–2 h on foot
From Inca Trail
Four-day or two-day guided trek arriving through the Sun Gate.
4 days or 2 days
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Citadel core (circuits 1–2) | Terraces, the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana, the Room of the Three Windows and the main plaza. | Timed ticket; one-way paths, no re-entry. |
| Huayna Picchu | The steep peak behind the ruins, with the Moon Temple and Great Cave beyond. | Separate timed ticket; closed at times for maintenance — check. |
| Machu Picchu Mountain | The long stair ridge south of the ruins, topping out near 3,050 m. | Separate timed ticket. |
| Sun Gate (Intipunku) | The Inca Trail's arrival point above the site, about an hour up from the ruins. | Open on foot; no ticket beyond your entry. |
| Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) | The only town below the site: trains, buses, beds and the ticket office. | Open; no vehicles beyond the town. |
Sketch map
- 1Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) · Town≈-13.155, -72.526Map ↗
- 2Machu Picchu entrance gate · Gate≈-13.162, -72.545Map ↗
- 3Intihuatana · Viewpoint≈-13.163, -72.546Map ↗
- 4Huayna Picchu · Summit≈-13.156, -72.546Map ↗
- 5Machu Picchu Mountain · Summit≈-13.175, -72.542Map ↗
- 6Sun Gate (Intipunku) · Trail≈-13.170, -72.534Map ↗
- 7Moon Temple · Cave≈-13.152, -72.546Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machu Picchu entry, adult foreigner (circuit 1 or 2) | PEN 152 | person | 2026 estimate; the official rate is set in soles and changes — check machupicchu.gob.pe before buying. |
| Huayna Picchu add-on | PEN 200 | person | 2026 estimate; separate timed ticket, limited daily slots, sold with the entry ticket. |
| Machu Picchu Mountain add-on | PEN 200 | person | 2026 estimate; separate timed ticket. |
| Consettur bus, Aguas Calientes to the gate | US$12 | person each way | About US$24 round trip; buy at the Consettur booths on Avenida Hermanos Ayar. |
| Inca Trail 4-day permit (agency package) | US$600–900 | person | 2026 estimate; includes guide, porters, meals and permits. Permits are capped and sell out months ahead. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Machu Picchu entry ticket permit or guide
Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain ticket permit or guide
Inca Trail permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Passport
- Carry your passport; staff check it against the ticket even if you booked on a national ID.
- No re-entry
- One entry per ticket, on the timed slot. There are no toilets inside the citadel — use the gate facilities before the turnstiles.
- Walking sticks
- Not allowed in the main citadel except for visitors with mobility difficulty; rubber-tipped sticks are allowed on Huayna Picchu. Steel tips are banned.
- One-way paths
- Many routes run one way; follow the circuit signs or you will be pushed toward the exit.
- Backpacks
- Large bags are not allowed in; there is a storage point at the gate (check).
- Drones
- Not permitted without authorisation from the sanctuary and heritage authorities (check).check
Where to stay
Near the park
Aguas Calientes
Hotels and hostels of every level at the foot of the site; lets you take the first bus up.
Near the park
Ollantaytambo
Lower-altitude town with the main train station and cheaper beds.
Near the park
Sacred Valley towns
Urubamba and Pisac for acclimatisation nights before the visit.
Safety
Altitude medium
Wet, uneven steps medium
UV radiation high
Missing the train medium
Accessibility
- Wheelchair and accessible tours can be arranged through private operators and cover a good part of the site.
- The bus from Aguas Calientes reaches the gate; the citadel itself is stepped and uneven.
Visiting lightly
- Buy the official ticket only; touts selling 'entry' at the gate are not legitimate.
- Take the bus or walk rather than joining unlicensed uphill vehicles.
- Carry out all rubbish; there are no bins inside the citadel.
- Book through agencies that pay porters properly on the Inca Trail.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Machu Picchu?
The adult foreigner entry ticket is set in soles by the sanctuary authority — budget around S/ 152 (2026 estimate) and check machupicchu.gob.pe for the current rate. Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain are separate add-on tickets at roughly S/ 200 each (2026 estimate). Add the Consettur bus at about US$12 each way if you are not walking up.
What are the best hikes in Machu Picchu?
Huayna Picchu is the short, steep classic — about 2 hours return with cables and a tight cave near the top. Machu Picchu Mountain is longer and quieter, 3–4 hours return to about 3,050 m. The Sun Gate walk (2–3 hours return) gives the Inca Trail arrival view, and the Moon Temple and Great Cave beyond Huayna Picchu take about 4 hours.
When is the best time to visit Machu Picchu?
April to October is the dry season, with September and October the sweet spot: clear mornings and slightly thinner crowds. June to August is driest but busiest. February is the wettest month and the Inca Trail is closed; January to March brings rain, cloud and a real chance the ridge is hidden.
Do I need a guide to visit Machu Picchu?
No for the citadel itself — a timed entry ticket is enough. Yes for the Inca Trail, which can only be walked with a licensed agency. Guides at the gate are optional and negotiable; audio tours are a cheaper alternative.
Can I buy a ticket at the entrance?
No. Tickets are sold online at machupicchu.gob.pe or at the ticket office in Aguas Calientes, and in-person sales are capped. Bring your passport — it is checked against the ticket at the gate.
How do I avoid the crowds?
Most tour groups are inside between 10:00 and 14:00. Take the first buses from Aguas Calientes around 05:30, or book an afternoon slot after 14:00. Sleeping in Aguas Calientes rather than day-tripping from Cusco is what makes either possible.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go