This place needs no introduction, it is Machu Picchu after all, one of the new seven wonders of the world. I visited this place in Dec 2022, when Peru had mass protests against the government. I had already booked my tickets so I was like, screw it, I am gonna go. Guess what, the whole place had fewer than 50 tourists, so I pretty much had the whole place to myself. So you never know what you get in life.
Because visiting Machu Picchu requires a ticket and also getting there is quite time-consuming, I share some of my experiences in this post to help you avoid some mishaps, such as choosing a day with good weather and planning a bit more time around your trip for logistical issues.
Is Machu Picchu worth going?
So I had a great experience because I practically had the whole place to myself, it was a cool experience. I hired a guide as well, I believe you had to hire one. Was it nice? Yes. Was it amazing? Not exactly, because it is very hyped up so I was expecting more. It is kind of like the Great wall of China if you get what I mean.
I have Peruvian friends and they love it, a lot of my foreign friends also love it, I had a good time. I would recommend it, but I am not sure if the experience will be as good with a lot of tourists.
To get to Machu Picchu, I took the Peru Rail train from Ollantaytambo, a town between Cusco and Machu Picchu, for a scenic journey that lasted around 1.5 hours. As the train wove through the Sacred Valley, I was treated to breathtaking views of the Andean landscape. Upon arrival at Aguas Calientes, I was greeted by a bustling town rich in tourist activity.
Places I visited on this trip
Aguas Calientes – The Gateway Town to Machu Picchu
Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo, is the gateway town to the iconic Incan citadel of Machu Picchu in Peru. Nestled in the Sacred Valley at the confluence of the Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes rivers, it sits at an elevation of 2,040 meters (6,692 feet). This charming hamlet, surrounded by steep, verdant mountains, offers visitors a range of amenities, including hotels, restaurants, and shops, catering to the influx of trekkers and tourists visiting the ancient site.
This is basically the town you get to beside Machu Picchu, for you to get a night’s rest and grab some food from the touristy restaurants. It has a great vibe actually, and you get here using a Machu Picchu train from Cusco. Here you purchase a bus ticket to Machu Picchu, which takes about 15-30 minutes. You also hire a guide here for Machu Picchu, I am not sure if this is required, but I helped supported the local business.
There were various budget options for a night rest. I stayed at a hostel owned by an Argentine guy for $10 a night, I was not sure what he was doing there.
You will definitely stay in Aguas Calientes for a night or two when you visit Machu Picchu, I quite liked it. Of course, they have Cusco Sour too!
Machu Picchu – Exploring the Lost City of the Incas
Machu Picchu, the renowned 15th-century Incan citadel, rests at an elevation of 2,430 meters (7,970 feet) in the Andes Mountains of Peru’s Cusco Region. Believed to have been constructed under the reign of Inca emperor Pachacuti, this architectural marvel showcases the pinnacle of Incan engineering and design. The site comprises over 200 structures, including agricultural terraces, residences, and religious temples, all intricately linked by a sophisticated network of paths and aqueducts. Surrounded by lush greenery and towering peaks, Machu Picchu offers breathtaking vistas of the Urubamba River valley below. In 1983, Machu Picchu was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Machu Picchu is much big than I imagined actually! I believe you could only visit 1 section of this place when you book your ticket and you have to indicate it on the ticket. It was a while ago but I remember I had to purchase the ticket on the official Machu Picchu website for the date and time slot to go.
However the classic photo area of Machu Picchu as shown above where the llama is (lots of llamas there!) is available regardless of which section you chose.
Took a couple of cute llamas (and funny ones) at Machu Picchu.
As you can see here, there were only a few tourists and a bunch of carefree llamas at Machu Picchu when I went. Very nice and calm, which is usually not the case at Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu Mountain – The Steep Climb
Machu Picchu Mountain, towering at 3,082 meters (10,111 feet) above sea level, is one of the prominent peaks flanking the iconic Incan citadel of Machu Picchu in Peru.
I got to hike up the Machu Picchu Mountain which is 3061.28m above sea level on very grassy stairway. It was drizzling on that day and very cloudy.
Last thing to know about Machu Picchu is that once you prebook the ticket, you only get to go on that day, and if you get bad weather, too bad. But I decided to climb it anyway.
So I got to the top of the mountain, with some other tourists and I was awarded with… a scenery as clear as my future. I heard the view was usually very good but too bad I got there on a cloudy day.
Thoughts
What else can I say? Definitely go, but be prepared for some disappointment because the weather may be bad, or it may be too crowded. Remember that you need to pre-plan everything, such as prebook the tickets, accommodations and prepare meds for high-altitude sickness.