Machu Picchu and the Inca Trails in Peru

The eastern slopes of the Andes Peru is a spectacular place on the planet, with altitudes ranging from 6000m to 200m above sea level. This dramatic drop in altitude produces a wide range of constantly changing bioclimatic zones - it is often possible to trek from the base of a glacier to the jungle in just one or two days. The altitude is usually 3-4000m, so time is needed to acclimatise, even on the more moderate routes. Combined with the countless Inca sites and the ubiquitous Inca trails, this makes the Sacred Valley one of the best trekking and mountain biking destinations in the world.

Machu Picchu is well known as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and the Inca Trail trek that leads there is almost as famous. What is less well known, however, is the great variety of epic routes that exist in the region - treks through Andean glaciers and Inca ruins, bike rides through stunning alpine and jungle landscapes.

Practical guide

When to go?

The best months to visit are May to September, when we are assured of dry weather; the other months fall in the rainy season, but there will also be plenty of sunshine.

Cities & Services

There are several bases to choose from for a visit to the Sacred Valley:

• Ollantaytambo is perhaps the best base, as from here you can trek or mountain bike to Machu Picchu, Quillabamba, Choquequirao and almost all the other important sites in the Sacred Valley. The village retains its original layout, its Inca architecture and culture, and the charm of a small town.
• Cusco is the largest Inca city, with points of interest including museums and restaurants as well as Inca sites. It is the starting point for only a few treks, but these include the iconic routes to Machu Picchu and Choquequirao.
• The Ausangate is the highest peak in the Cusco area, with a height of 6270m. In the area there are excellent hot springs, as well as several outstanding trekking (Ausangate Trek), and is accessed from the village of Tinqui.

Operational bases: Agua Calientes, Cusco, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Huancancalle, Ausangate

Not to be missed

The famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu but also many other routes to many other Inca sites like ChoquechirauEspiritu Pampa; the spectacular Mount Ausangate.

Inca routes in Peru

• Tourist Trails to Machu Picchu // Agua Calientes to Machu Picchu / The Classic Inca Trail /

• Around Cuzco // To Calca via H'uchuy Cusco / The back road to Ollantaytambo / To Urubamba via '44' / Urquillos Canyon Route /
• Around Urubamba // Salt Mines of Maras and Moray / Moray to Paucarbamba / Abra Azulcocha to Calca / Calca to Lares / Cima Chicón / To Lares through the Pumahuanka Valley /
• Around Ollantaytambo // Pumamarca / Choquechaca / To Lares via Abra Wakawasi / To Lares via Patacancha / Urubamba Weavers Trek / Inca Raccay and Q'orimarca / Ñaupa Iglesia (Pachar Caves) / Las Canterras quarries and Inti Punku / La Veronica Glacier / Patacancha Valley / To Quillabamba via Abra Yanamayu / To Quillabamba via Abra Malaga / To Ivochote and Pongo de Manique / The "back door" of Machu Picchu Patacancha / To Quillabamba through Abra Yanamayu / To Quillabamba through Abra Malaga / To Ivochote and Pongo de Manique / The "back door" Machu Picchu / To Huayllabamba and the beginning of the Inca Trail / Ollantaytambo to Soraypampa through Salkantay /
• South and West of Machu Picchu // Alternative routes to Machu Picchu, off the main tourist trail, which do not require a licensed guide or an Inca trail permit. // Mollepata to Huayllabamba / Soraypampa to Machu Picchu via Salkantay / Soraypampa to Machu Picchu via Hidroelectrica / Choquequirao from Cachora / Inca Wasi from Yupanqua / Huancancalle to Choquequirao / Huancancalle to St. Theresa via Yanama / Huancancalle to St. Theresa via Yanama / Huancancalle to St. Theresa via Yanama / Huancancalle to St. Theresa via Yanama / Huancancalle to St. Theresa via Yanama. Huancancalle to St. Theresa via Yanama / Huancancalle to St. Theresa via Abra Mojón / Mollepata to Choquequirao / Espiritu Pampa (Vilcabamba) /
• Ausangate". // Tinqui to Pitumarca via Ausangate / Tinqui to Pitumarca via Puca Punta /

What to see in Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu, archaeological site par excellence in South America and one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet. A place considered a masterpiece of architecture and engineering and declared one of the new seven wonders of the modern world.

In order to visit Machu Picchu we must know certain aspects for our comfort. First of all we will explain how to buy tickets. It is much more convenient to buy tickets in advance because according to the new access regulations only 2,500 people a day can visit it. It is therefore advisable to buy them in advance and make sure you have a place on the day you want. You can buy them on the Internet or at the tourist offices in Cuzco or at the offices of the Regional Tourist Office in Cuzco or Aguas Calientes.

It is necessary to know that in the months of high tourism such as July and August you have to buy tickets. several days in advance. Tickets cost 126 soles, or about 32 euros.

To access the top of Machu Picchu you can only go by train or on foot. If you have chosen to travel by train, you should know that the same thing happens as with tickets, they sell out, so you should buy your ticket in advance. This return ticket can cost between 60 and 80 euros.

In order to fully enjoy this archaeological marvel, it is necessary to best if we go up first thing in the morningThat is, when they open around six o'clock in the morning. You can take advantage of this and watch the sunrise.

As a last recommendation, we would like to clarify that if we want to climb up to the Huayna PicchuThe mountain that encloses the city at one end, there is also a limit to the number of visits per day. So tickets must be bought earlier than the previous ones.

Temple of the Sun

It is built on a rock. The most important building is known as the Torreón and is located at the top.

Intihuatana

It is a religious construction of the Incas. It is carved in stone and in the upper part it is elevated where you can distinguish 4 faces that indicate the geographical directions.

Temple of the three windows

It is one of the oldest and most historic foundations. It was a perfect place for the Incas to hide from the Spanish conquerors.

Temple of the Condor

The condor was a sacred symbol for the Inca civilisation. This magical symbol was the one that the Incas said could carry souls from earth to infinity, where they would meet the sun god.

The Sacred Rock

It is a flat-faced stone that sits on a 3-metre high pedestal. It is a landmark as it is the northernmost point of the city.