Travel to Machu Picchu with travel insurance from Essential Travel

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Information on Machu Picchu with travel insurance from Essential Travel

Travel to Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu offers some of the most phenomenal ruins in Peru. The area retains as much of its enchanting aura of mystery as when the structures were built here by the Incas. The ruins are frequently covered in mist and impossible to see from below, which adds to their mystique.

Getting there

You can fly to Lima from overseas and then connect with a flight to Cuzco, from where the journey to Machu Picchu is 112kms by road or rail. The train ride from Cuzco is well worth it for the spectacular scenery and takes just four hours. Alternatively, the train ride to Machu Picchu takes 2 hours, 20 minutes from Urubamba and 1 hour, 30 minutes from Ollantaytambo. The energetic can walk along the famous Inca Trail (Camino del Inca, or Camino Real), taking either four days (43kms), or two days along a shorter route, from Ollantaytambo.

Key Attractions

Most visitors come to the ruins on a daytrip from Cuzco, but there is a charming hotel just outside the grounds for those who wish to stay longer. There is also good accommodation in Aguas Calientes, nearby.

At the ruins, you can get a good view from the Caretakers Hut and Funerary Rock, which overlook the rest of Machu Picchu. One of the most famous Inca structures at the ruins is the Temple of the Sun (also called the Torreón). Below it, in a cave carved from the rock, is a section traditionally called the Royal Tomb. Also of interest are: the Royal Sector, a still-functioning water canal and series of interconnected fountains; the Temple of the Three Windows; the Principal Temple; and the House of the Priest.

Out and about

The well-known Inca Trail is a footpath through the Andes leading directly to the gates of Machu Picchu. It offers the most scenic way to visit Machu Picchu but can be arduous, taking up to four days. It is part of the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary and is a UNESCO World Heritage natural and cultural site – and is the most important and most popular hiking trail in South America. While on the trail, you can detour to Choquequirao, another Inca city which was more recently unearthed.

Leisure options

The base town, Aguas Calientes, is small but offers some cheap accommodation, food and beer. The Plaza de Armas is the centre and the nicely paved malecón riverfront area is good for a stroll. There are plenty of small and friendly restaurants in Aguas Calientes. At the ruins, you can enjoy a pricey buffet lunch at Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge or pack your own lunch.

Safety

Try to visit the ruins earlier in the day, not just to avoid crowds, but also to keep out of the hot sun. You’ll want to protect yourself with a hat and sunscreen and bring along plenty of drinking water. The sun is strong at this elevation and visitors should be wary of overexerting themselves. We recommend you take out travel insurance.

Weather

The best times to visit these ancient ruins are from June to October. Most days are full of bright sunshine, but unfortunately your are never far from a short shower, so it is advisable to take a raincoat or umbrella when you visit. Due to the high altitude of the site, temperatures can fall sharply in the evenings to a round 10°C.

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