Planning Your Machu Picchu Trip In 2026: Everything You Need To Know

Planning A Machu Picchu Trip: The Basics That You Need To Know

Let’s first take a look at some of the first questions you may have regarding Machu Picchu, if it’s worth exploring and whether it’s safe to visit.

Is It Worth Visiting Machu Picchu?

By far one of the most interesting sites you can visit in Peru, Machu Picchu is definitely worth the visit once you arrive into the Cusco region.

Built on orders of Emperor Pachacutec in the 15th century, Machu Picchu took roughly 30 years to complete – which is even more impressive considering that they first had to excavate an entire mountain to make space for the citadel. The site was primarily built as a royal estate for the emperor and other high nobility classes, however also served as a major spiritual and ceremonial centre too.

During a Machu Picchu tour you can see all of these key ancient sights when walking around, such as the Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Condor and the Intihuatana Stone. And that’s without mentioning the spectacular views you can enjoy from the top of the miradores – where you can see the ruins, surrounding mountains and crashing Urubamba River all from above.

How Popular Is Machu Picchu, And Does It Get Very Crowded?

Over 1.5 million tourists visit Machu Picchu annually, making this sacred Inca site the most popular in all of Peru (and a contender for the South American continent too). The strong majority of travelers who visit Peru will want to visit Machu Picchu once they arrive into Cusco – so it’s important to have proper expectations of what it will be like before, and whether there will be lots of crowds.

During the high tourism season between June and September, Machu Picchu gets very busy – and especially after 10:00am. At this time the big tourist buses and crowds begin to arrive, meaning there will be queues to take photos on the miradores. You can however avoid this somewhat by coming in the early morning – where there will still be other tourists but it will be more relaxed and less crowded.

The quietest time of the year to visit Machu Picchu is during the rainy season, which starts in November and lasts until April (aside from Christmas and New Years – which see a spike in tourism). Crowds are less during this time given the weather, however you can still enjoy spectacular views of the ancient citadel and surrounding Andean landscapes.

Is It Safe To Visit Machu Picchu?

Ranking in as one of the safest in all of Peru, Machu Picchu is a very safe destination to visit. This is firstly due to the site being heavily policed with park rangers and guards on the gate, who only allow ticket holders to enter the site. Given its remote setting and difficulty to get to, Machu Picchu avoids problems of pickpocketing or crime that can sometimes be an issue in other areas of Peru.

It’s important however to follow the rules of Machu Picchu once you enter the site. This includes not passing safety ropes, as remember that the ruins are located on the edge of a mountain. We also suggest wearing shoes with good tread and walking slowly up and down the stone steps when exploring the area, which can sometimes be slippery depending on the weather and time of day.

The Best Time To Visit Machu Picchu

It’s important to know that there are varied seasons up in the Cusco Andes, which will affect the type of experience you will have in and around Machu Picchu.

First we have the dry season, which runs from May until October. Here we can enjoy clear blue skies most days, with warm temperatures and perfect views of the ruins and surrounding valleys. However it’s also the most popular time, so crowds can get big in the late mornings and afternoons. You’ll also want to book your Machu Picchu permit well in advance, and we suggest booking at least three months in advance if planning to visit in this season.

Then we have the wet season, which begins in November and lasts until April. Showers are more likely however tend to be quick-lived during these months, and sometimes mists can appear around the ruins (rarely do they cover the site entirely – and usually blow over quickly, and in some cases can actually create a more dramatic visual scene and experience). Crowds are at their lowest this time of year which is perfect for authenticity, and you can book your permit between 1-3 months in advance for these months (aside from Christmas and New Years, which are busy meaning it’s best to book 3 months in advance).

How To Get To Machu Picchu

All methods of visiting Machu Picchu follow the same route, so the main difference is whether you visit independently or with an organised tour. We’ll look at both options now below and how they differ in experience.

Using Public Transportation Independently 

From Cusco you can take a bus or private shuttle to Ollantaytambo, which is the main portal town to visit Machu Picchu. From here you can then take a variety of trains (that vary from standard to luxury trains) to reach the small town of Aguas Calientes. This town sits below Machu Picchu and you can take the bus up. In total this option takes roughly 4-5 hours one-way from Cusco to Machu Picchu, and is best for independent travellers. Be aware that you’ll need to buy your Machu Picchu permit in advance, and to organise all your own transport to and from Cusco.

Heading With An Organised Tour

This option follows the same route, however is much more comfortable and private since you will enjoy private transport from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, as well as have your own private local guide for your tour around Machu Picchu. You’ll also have all logistics like the trains and bus included, so you won’t need to worry about sorting everything out yourself. Here at AB Expeditions we operate our Overnight Machu Picchu Tour, which includes your tickets, all transport, the scenic train ride as well as a hotel stay in Aguas Calientes.

The Different Machu Picchu Circuits And Booking Your Tickets

While previously Machu Picchu was just a single ticket, today there are different types of circuits and routes that you can choose from. Each has their own perks and areas included, and at this current time there are 3 main circuits with different individual ticket types (Circuit 1 = Panoramic, Circuit 2 = Classic, Circuit 3 = Royalty).

• Tickets within Circuit 1 (Panoramic) are the best for seeing the classic postcard views of Machu Picchu, which includes a little more hiking and access to the raised platforms. Certain tickets also allow extras not usually accessed, such as Machu Picchu Mountain (1-A) and the Sun Gate (1-C).

• Tickets within Circuit 2 (Classic) are the most complete of all, and follow a similar route to how Machu Picchu was organised before the new circuits changed. Here you will enter from above for the classic postcard views, followed by entering the ruins below and sights such as the Temple of the Sun. It’s by far the most popular ticket type and can sell out months in advance.

• Tickets within Circuit 3 (Royalty) focus only on the lower part of Machu Picchu. This means you won’t get the classic postcard views, but instead visit the ruins at the ground level. This ticket is also popular as certain ones like 3-A include the Huayna Picchu Hike, as well as 3-C for exploring the Great Cavern.

For the most comprehensive breakdown of every ticket type and what’s included, please see our Machu Picchu Circuit guide.

Frequently Asked Questions About Planning A Machu Picchu Trip

Below we’ll now answer some of the frequent questions we get about planning a Machu Picchu trip, as well as anything else important that you need to know.

How Many Days In Machu Picchu Is Enough?

Usually two days is enough to visit Machu Picchu properly, unless you plan on hiking the Inca Trail which requires four days. While the tour itself requires between 1-2 hours depending on the route you choose (and more if visiting Huayna Picchu), actually getting there from Cusco takes up most of the time. This is why it’s better to arrive and stay overnight in Aguas Calientes first, then head to Machu Picchu in the early morning before the crowds arrive.

What Is The Best Month To Go To Machu Picchu?

The months between June and September are considered best as they have the driest weather and clear blue skies, however it really depends on your personal goals. For example, while the shoulder months of April, May and October may experience light showers, there will be much less tourists compared to June until September. The wet season on the other hand (November until April) is much quieter and has more beautiful green scenery.

How Much Would A Trip To Machu Picchu Cost?

The cost of a Machu Picchu trip can really vary depending on how you travel and how much luxury you want. Traditional tours that include the scenic train ride and hotel stay in Aguas Calientes (along with your entrance) usually cost between $350-$600. However luxury tours that include the Hiram Bingham train and extras can easily cost anywhere from $800-$1000+.

Overview Of Planning A Machu Picchu Trip

And that’s all for our comprehensive guide to planning a Machu Picchu trip.

One of UNESCO’s New Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu is a truly breathtaking site to explore. From the moment you walk out through the gate and see the iconic ruins and mountain, your trip around Machu Picchu will be one of the most memorable and interesting tours that you will do when in Peru. Planning your Machu Picchu trip beforehand is vital, given tickets can sell out quickly, seasons can vary experiences and also as there are different ways of getting to Machu Picchu which are worth comparing.

Are you looking to explore Machu Picchu in the most simple yet comfortable way possible? Here at AB Expeditions you can join us on our Overnight Machu Picchu Tour, which is a private small group tour and includes all transport, a hotel stay in Aguas Calientes, early-hour tickets as well as an expert guide to lead and teach you about these incredible ruins.