Machu Picchu Tours FAQs: Everything You Need to Know

Machu Picchu is an ancient Inca citadel built in the 15th century under Emperor Pachacuti, located in the Peruvian Andes at 2,430 meters above sea level. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, it features over 200 perfectly preserved structures including temples, palaces, and agricultural terraces, all built with precisely cut stone fitted without mortar.

Machu Picchu is located in the Cusco Region of southeastern Peru, in the Eastern Cordillera of the southern Peruvian Andes. It sits on a mountain ridge above the Sacred Valley, approximately 80 kilometers northwest of Cusco. The nearest town is Aguas Calientes (also called Machu Picchu Pueblo), located at the base of the mountain.

Machu Picchu was built around 1450 AD by the Inca Emperor Pachacuti, the ninth ruler of the Inca Empire. It is believed to have served as a royal estate and religious retreat. The site was abandoned approximately 100 years later, around the time of the Spanish conquest of Peru, and remained largely unknown to the outside world until American historian Hiram Bingham brought it to international attention in 1911.

Machu Picchu sits at an altitude of 2,430 meters (7,972 feet) above sea level. While this is lower than Cusco (3,400m), altitude sickness can still affect visitors. It is strongly recommended to spend at least 2 days acclimatizing in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before visiting. Symptoms of altitude sickness include headache, dizziness, and nausea.

There are three main ways to reach Machu Picchu from Cusco:

• By Train: The most popular option. Trains depart from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes in approximately 1.5 hours. From Aguas Calientes, take a 30-minute bus to the entrance gate. Peru Rail and Inca Rail are the two main operators.
• Inca Trail Trek: The classic 4-day hike through ancient Inca paths, arriving through the Sun Gate at sunrise. Permits are strictly limited and sell out months in advance.
• Alternative Treks: The Salkantay Trek, Inca Jungle Trek, and Lares Trek all lead to Aguas Calientes with stunning scenery and fewer permit restrictions.

Vidal Expeditions offers four main Machu Picchu tour packages from Cusco:

• Machu Picchu Full Day Tour: The classic one-day experience departing from Cusco. Includes train, bus, guided tour of the citadel, and return transfer. Perfect for travelers with limited time.
• Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu 2 Days: Combines the best of the Sacred Valley — Chinchero, Moray, Salt Mines, and Ollantaytambo — with a full visit to Machu Picchu the following day.
• Machu Picchu by Train 2 Days: A relaxed 2-day tour traveling by scenic train through the Urubamba Valley, with an overnight stay in Aguas Calientes and a full morning at Machu Picchu.
• Private Machu Picchu Tour: A fully private experience tailored to your schedule, with a dedicated expert guide, private transport, and flexible itinerary.

Both options offer a high-quality Machu Picchu experience but suit different travel styles:

• Small Group Tour: You share the experience with a small group of typically 6 to 10 travelers. More affordable, sociable, and ideal for solo travelers or couples who enjoy meeting fellow adventurers. Departures follow a fixed schedule.
• Private Tour: The entire experience is exclusive to you and your travel party. You choose the departure time, pace, and itinerary. Your dedicated guide focuses entirely on your group. Ideal for families, special occasions, or travelers who want complete flexibility.

Booking your Machu Picchu tour with Vidal Expeditions is simple:

• Step 1: Choose your preferred tour package and travel dates from our Machu Picchu Tours page.
• Step 2: Send us your details including your travel dates, number of travelers, and passport numbers via our booking form or WhatsApp us directly at +51 951 359 694.
• Step 3: Pay a deposit of $150 USD to secure your spot and confirm your Machu Picchu entry tickets. The remaining balance is due before departure.
• Step 4: Receive your full tour confirmation, meeting point details, and packing recommendations from our team.

Yes, staying overnight in Aguas Calientes is an excellent option and allows you to be first in the queue for the morning bus, arriving at Machu Picchu at opening time before day visitors arrive. It also gives you the flexibility to visit in the afternoon one day and again the following morning if your ticket allows. Aguas Calientes has a good range of accommodation from budget hostels to luxury hotels, plus many restaurants and the famous thermal hot springs the town is named after.

Machu Picchu is open daily from 6:00 am to 5:30 pm. Entry is timed, your ticket specifies an entry window of either morning (6:00 am–12:00 pm) or afternoon (12:00 pm–5:30 pm). Once inside you can stay until closing time. Arriving at opening time is highly recommended to experience the site before the main crowds arrive.

For peak season visits between May and August, booking at least 6 to 8 months in advance is strongly recommended. Entry tickets, Huayna Picchu tickets, and train tickets all sell out well ahead of this period. For the shoulder season from September to April (excluding February when the Inca Trail closes), booking 2 to 3 months ahead is usually sufficient. The earlier you book the more entry time slots and circuit options you will have available.

Both are excellent options depending on your time and travel style:

• By train is faster, more comfortable, and ideal for travelers with limited time. The scenic journey through the Urubamba Valley takes approximately 1.5 hours from Ollantaytambo. Peru Rail and Inca Rail offer services ranging from $55 USD standard to $490 USD luxury.
• Hiking the Inca Trail is the most rewarding experience — 4 days through cloud forests, mountain passes, and Inca ruins, arriving through the legendary Sun Gate at sunrise. Permits are limited to 500 people per day and sell out months in advance.
• Alternative treks (Salkantay, Inca Jungle, Lares) offer a middle ground — multi-day adventure without the permit restrictions of the Inca Trail.

From Aguas Calientes there are two options to reach the entrance gate of Machu Picchu:.

• By bus: Official Consettur buses depart from the town centre every few minutes from 5:30 am. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes up the winding mountain road. Buses run until 5:30 pm. Tickets must be purchased in advance at the bus station.
• On foot: A steep hiking trail climbs directly from Aguas Calientes to the entrance gate. The hike takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes and involves over 1,700 steps. It is a good option for fit travelers who want to avoid the bus queues.