Machu Picchu Elevation: Everything You Need To Know Before Visiting

What Is The Elevation Of Machu Picchu?

Quick Answer: Overall the total elevation of Machu Picchu is 2430m above sea-level (or 7972ft for our American friends out there).

The closest area to these sacred ruins is the charming town of Aguas Calientes, which sits right below the mountain. Located at an altitude of 2040m, this means that the ascension up to Machu Picchu will see us climb around 390m in altitude (which can be done by walking or taking the bus up).

The elevation gains of getting here from Cusco are actually negative, meaning you will decrease in altitude when coming to Machu Picchu. This is because the popular Andean city is located much higher up at 3399m – meaning that even at the top of these ruins you will still be 969m lower than when you were in Cusco.

Does The Machu Picchu Elevation Make It Difficult To Hike?

As we’ve just read in the prior section, Machu Picchu is located at a lower altitude than that of Cusco. And given you need to get to Cusco first, it means that you will already be at an advantage physically.

Over 1.5 million tourists visit Machu Picchu annually, and most with little altitude-related issues. This is because the moment you arrive in Cusco, your body will begin acclimating to the higher altitudes (given there is less oxygen than what we are used to). This means that after a couple of days you will be more or less adjusted for these higher altitudes.

So when you do then come to Machu Picchu, you’ll find it easier to walk and explore the archaeological site as we are lower down where there’s more oxygen readily available. It also helps as there is the jungle and many trees surrounding the site too.

How To Prepare For Machu Picchu Elevation

As we’ve already seen, most of your physical preparation for the Machu Picchu elevation will be done without you consciously needing to do anything (as being in Cusco will help you to acclimate).

Now given you’ll be walking around the site (and potentially trekking along the Hidroeléctrica train tracks), it’s wise to bring some Coca Leaves in case you particularly struggle with altitudes in general. These will help to clear any unwanted symptoms, and also give you a much needed energy boost.

If you plan to be in Cusco for a few days before coming to Machu Picchu, then you can head on some hikes to get used to walking longer distances at a higher altitude. This includes the walk up to the Cristo Blanco statue in the city, whilst there are other incredible treks to hike such as to the icy blue lagoon of Humantay as well as around remote Andean towns such as that of Pisac.

Comparing Machu Picchu’s Elevation With Other Destinations In The Sacred Valley

How High Is Huayna Picchu?

As you may know, there’s also another taller mountain right next to Machu Picchu. Known as Huayna Picchu, it offers some surreal alternative views over the archaeological site and is popular to hike up during a visit.

The peak of Huayna Picchu Mountain is located up at a total altitude of 2693m – which is some 263m higher up than Machu Picchu. Whilst this doesn’t cause any real changes in altitude and breathing difficulty, the actual walk up is more challenging (as there are lots of vertical stone steps) so you’ll want to really take your time when hiking up. 

You’ll need to book this hike up to Huayna Picchu separately than you would with your regular Machu Picchu entrance ticket, which you can do whilst booking our regular Machu Picchu day tours.

What About The Surrounding Sacred Valley Region?

We’ve already seen that Cusco is situated at a much higher altitude of 3399m, however there are many more areas that you may be planning to visit or stay in before heading to Machu Picchu. These include various popular destinations, such as the ancient town of Pisac (2972m), Ollantaytambo (2792m) and Urubamba (2871m). These are all also ideal to spend time acclimating in before heading to Machu Picchu.

There are also many other hikes you can do around the Sacred Valley region, however these are almost always at a higher altitude than that of Machu Picchu. This includes the Inca Trail (maximum altitude of 4215m) as well as the Salkantay Trek (maximum altitude of 4630m). Because of these higher altitudes, you’ll want to spend more time in Cusco and properly acclimate given they are more physically demanding.

Important Considerations You Must Know Before Visiting Machu Picchu

Whilst the overall elevation doesn’t cause too much concern for those who want to head up to Machu Picchu, there are some other important things that are worth knowing that can help make your trip run more smoothly.

How To Book A Machu Picchu Tour

Booking a tour is by far the most advantageous and memorable way of visiting this incredible archaeological site, where you’ll usually have a private guide show you around the ruins. Here at AB Expeditions we offer the most complete Machu Picchu day tour which includes all transportation, private guides and also a ride on the legendary train that passes through to Aguas Calientes.

Choosing The Best Time To Visit Machu Picchu

There are two annual weather seasons that affect Machu Picchu. The dry season runs from May until October, which is known for clear blue skies and little rainfall. The wet season begins in November and lasts until April, which sees more rain but less crowds. The overall best time to visit are during the shoulder months (April, May, September and October), which have great weather yet are not overcrowded with tourists.

Dealing With The Intense Sunlight 

Although the weather can vary at different times of the year (as we can see in the last section), the sunlight remains quite constant in all months. And up at these higher altitudes it’s important to know that the sun can be much more intense. This means that it’s both easier and quicker to get sunburnt – and even so if the temperatures are not that hot! For this reason it’s important to reapply sunscreen throughout the day when at Machu Picchu.

Staying Safe In Machu Picchu

Overall Machu Picchu is quite a safe site to explore, however there are many strict rules put in place that you must follow. These include not passing obvious ropes that dictate the route, which are there for your safety (as there are high drops in areas). We suggest reading up on these rules again before your visit, and also to walk around slowly as there are many stone steps which aren’t always even.

Machu Picchu Elevation FAQ

Below we’ll now answer some of the frequent questions we get about the Machu Picchu elevation, as well as anything else that is important for you to know.

How High Is Machu Picchu?

There’s two different ways to answer this, so firstly we’ll start with the overall altitude – with Machu Picchu being located up at 2430m above sea-level. The other is the physical drop height, given it’s located on the edge of a mountain. Overall the archaeological site is situated some 390m right at the top, with this mountain looming right over the town of Aguas Calientes.

Can I Visit Machu Picchu Immediately Once I Arrive Into Cusco?

Yes you can, and many tourists in the past have immediately joined our tours to Machu Picchu right from the airport. Again the altitude really isn’t that high in Machu Picchu, so most have little issues exploring the sacred archaeological site on the same day of arrival into the region. It’s also important to know that you’ll want to arrive early into Cusco Airport if taking a tour. If arriving later (or making your way independently) then you’ll need to wait an additional day.

Is Machu Picchu Difficult To Hike?

The hike up to Machu Picchu is quite a simple one, and especially so if walking up from the nearby town of Aguas Calientes. It will take around 1-2 hours to reach the entrance, and most tourists have little altitude-related issues here. Again if you are prone to getting symptoms, then we highly recommend carrying Coca Leaves or other altitude sickness medications just as a precaution.

Overview Of Machu Picchu Elevation

And that’s all for this guide on how high Machu Picchu is, as well as the overall gain in elevation when heading to this sacred site.

Situated between the towering snow-capped Andean Mountains and the dense Amazon Jungle, Machu Picchu has an overall comfortable altitude to hike in and around at. This is especially true since you’ll first need to arrive at Cusco prior, which is located up at an even higher altitude (meaning you’ll already be adjusted physically).

Are you ready to explore the ancient wonder that is Machu Picchu? Check out our different tour options now, and book in your dream experience with us here at AB Expeditions.