The highlights of Paracas National Reserve in Peru
March 25, 2022
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We are fortunate to have had the opportunity to see much of the world, but there are only a handful of places as special as the world wonder Machu Picchu in Peru. Because once you reach the top and see the typical picture of Machu Picchu as you know it from postcards, you literally stand still for a moment and look around in amazement. This mysterious place still raises many questions today and that is precisely what makes Machu Picchu so special. It is not for nothing the highlight of a tour of Peru. Tips on the best time to visit Machu Picchu and how to get the most out of your visit can all be read in this article.
What is Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu is the most famous ancient city of the former Inca Empire. Literally translated from the local Quechua language, Machu Picchu means "ancient mountain. During the Spanish conquest, most Inca civilizations were destroyed unlike Machu Picchu. It is therefore assumed that Machu Picchu was never found by the Spanish, which is why this ancient Inca city is also called "The Lost City of the Incas. Machu Picchu is thus one of the best preserved Inca cities and a wonder to visit.
Machu Picchu was built in the 15e century and remained a hidden gem to the entire world until 1911. Only then was Machu Picchu rediscovered. Because of its unique and lofty location at 2,430 feet in the Andes Mountains of Peru, archaeologists believe Machu Picchu was once a royal estate, but there are also claims that it was a sacred and religious destination. After a period of 30 years of habitation in Machu Picchu, the ancient Inca city has been completely abandoned for reasons still unknown.
Today, Machu Picchu is the most visited tourist destination in Peru. Not surprisingly, Machu Picchu is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is one of the Seven New Wonders of the World.
Where is Machu Picchu located?
High in the mountains of the Andes you will find near the village of Aguas Calientes the unique wonder of the world, Machu Picchu. Many travelers visit Machu Picchu during their tour of Peru and stay in the Cusco region for this purpose.
Our breathtaking visit to Machu Picchu
For us, too, we wanted to visit Peru because of Machu Picchu. For years, this wonder of the world had been at the top of our list. And as surreal as it still is, we have since been able to cross visiting Machu Picchu off our bucket list.
We left early from our hotel in the Sacred Valley for the village of Ollantaytambo. Here we boarded the train to Aguas Calientes, the village at the foot of Machu Picchu's mountain. Tips on how to get to Machu Picchu we will share later in this article. Once we arrived in Aguas Calientes, we were met by our guide Katty from Peru Well Served. Together with her we boarded the bus that took us to the entrance of Machu Picchu. Punctually at 11:00 am we were allowed inside.
Full of enthusiasm and curiosity, we followed Katty who shared with enormous passion information, stories and facts about this special place. We walked a route that first took us to the top from where we had a breathtaking view of Machu Picchu. Here we experienced a real "pinch me" moment, something like "are we really here"? We stood here for about 30 minutes, looking and taking pictures. Then we slowly walked down among the terraces and ruins. As Katty told us stories, we imagined the years when people lived here, how special that must have been.
Visiting Machu Picchu, we cannot but recommend doing so with a guide. In fact, we think this is mandatory, even though we cannot confirm this with certainty. Such a magical place as Machu Picchu naturally raises questions and a local guide knows the answer to almost everything. Nevertheless, it is also super interesting to learn more about such a well-preserved place.
How to get to Machu Picchu?
Most travelers who want to visit Machu Picchu choose the city Cusco as their base of operations. Once in Cusco, it is only 80 kilometers until you can visit the highlight of Peru. A distance you can cover by train or on foot (The Inca Trail).
However, we stayed in the Sacred Valley and visited Machu Picchu from here. Do you choose to skip the Inca Trail and visit Machu Picchu in one day? Then staying in the Sacred Valley is definitely recommended!
1. Visit Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes
Aguas Calientes is a cozy village at the foot of Mount Machu Picchu. If you are not going to hike the famous Inca Trail you will undoubtedly reach Machu Picchu via Aguas Calientes. This is because here is the terminus of the train that runs to Machu Picchu. From Aguas Calientes you can catch a bus that will take you to the entrance of the Inca capital, but you can also hike up. The route up is fairly doable and takes about 1 to 2 hours. Buses running to the entrance leave from the bus station in Aguas Calientes (Avenida Hermosas Ayer) across from the Inca Market. The buses do not run on an itinerary but leave when full. Given the number of tourists who visit Machu Picchu in a day, it can never be long before a bus is full. You can purchase tickets at the bus station. Our visit to Machu Picchu was booked in advance by Peru Well Served, so we were able to get on the bus and off to Machu Picchu in no time!
2. By train to Machu Picchu
We traveled by train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. A beautiful train ride of about 1.5 hours where you see the mountain landscape slowly change into a tropical rainforest. The whole train ride along the Urubamba River makes for great pictures, but also gives you an insight into local life in the mountains. Because where water flows, you often find local villages. You can also take the train from Cusco (San Pedro or Poroy) to Aguas Calientes. This is a 3.5- to 4-hour train ride. The two well-known train organizations are Peru Rail and Inca Rail.
3. Hike the famous Inca Trail
The Inca Trail is one of the world's most popular hiking trails and is also undoubtedly still on our bucket list. A trail of about 40 kilometers takes you through the Andes Mountains to the final destination Machu Picchu. The route is known to be very tough, due in part to the elevation changes, but also insanely beautiful. What a reward it must be when you walk among the ruins of Machu Picchu at sunset after four days and three nights.
What is the best time to visit Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu is located in the tropical rainforest where the temperature is pleasant throughout the year. But even here you can suffer from the rainy season in the months of November through March. In the dry season, from May through September, you have the best chance of good weather. High season is in the months of June through August, months you might prefer to avoid if you can. We visited Machu Picchu in mid-March, during the rainy season. We had both rain and sunshine during our visit.
Tips for visiting Machu Picchu
There are many special places on the globe that you can easily visit without too much planning, however, this is not the case for Machu Picchu. To admire this extraordinary archaeological site with your own eyes, you are forced to do some advance planning.
1. Plan your visit ahead of time!
Because of its popularity, it is highly recommended to buy tickets in advance, especially during the high season. Because with a limited number of visitors per day, entrance tickets sell out quickly. There are several websites where you can buy tickets online, but keep in mind that these are official tickets. Entrance fee for Machu Picchu in 2024 for an adult is about €40.
As we mentioned earlier, our visit to Machu Picchu was organized by the local tour company Peru Well Served. They booked our train, bus and entrance tickets far in advance so we had a carefree visit to Machu Picchu.
Important tips:
Nbring your passport! When you purchase your ticket, you will need to enter your passport number, which will also be checked at the entrance to Machu Picchu.
Print out your ticket!
2. The best time slot to visit Machu Picchu
At 6 a.m. Machu Picchu opens, and for those who love a beautiful sunrise, this is the most interesting time to be there. Because this early the day tourists are not there yet. This is fun not only for the photos, but also for yourself. In the afternoon, it can be very crowded and you will more quickly fall behind the crowd.
Of course, you depend on available train times when you visit Machu Picchu in one day like us, but remember: the earlier you get there the quieter it is. By the way, the same goes for a visit toward the end of the afternoon. Most day-trippers are gone by then.
3. Go to the bathroom before visiting Machu Picchu
It is good to know is that you cannot find a toilet in Machu Picchu. So once you pass the entrance and walk among the terraces and ruins you will not encounter a toilet until you get back to the exit. There is a restroom at the entrance/exit and costs 2 soles to use the facilities. By the way, it is always handy to bring your own tissues.
4. Wear sturdy shoes and comfortable clothing
Keep in mind that when you visit Machu Picchu you still have to do a lot of hiking and climbing (altimeters), even if you don't hike the famous Inca Trail. The archaeological site of Machu Picchu is incredibly large and there are several routes you can hike. That, among other reasons, is why you should visit Machu Pichu with a guide. Good hiking shoes and comfortable clothing such as athletic leggings were something we personally enjoyed wearing.
More articles about our travel adventures in Peru
We took a wonderful tour of southern Peru. An itinerary we can recommend to anyone who loves culinary excursions, nature, culture and adventure. Our highlights in Peru were, of course besides visiting Machu Picchu, the oasis town of Huacachina and a visit to the local community Patacancha in the Sacred Valley. Fancy more Peru inspiration? Then take a look at our Peru page, where you'll find all Peru items!
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