Peru guide
No matter whether you’re looking for a 2 min summary or want to delve deeper and discover what we rate & what we don’t, our Peru travel guide is here to help you travel like a local, including a handy section on food, shopping & people.
Machu Picchu map & highlights
The Spanish colonialists never found Machu Picchu. If they had, they would have broken the sacred Intihuatana stone, dispelling all deities. Thank the gods, who feel like they may still be hovering.![]()
People would come in their millions to Peru to see the exquisite citadel, high up at 2,430m in the Andes, only discovered under the jungle in 1911 by American historian Hiram Bingham. And yet, thankfully, they can’t all cram into the sacred masterpiece, where giant granite temples, ancient agricultural terraces, sacred stones and sundial, were all cut from the rock, with not one bit of mortar used to piece it all together. Because UNESCO takes its commitment to heritage very seriously, threatening to remove this iconic 15th century Andean arcadia from its World Heritage Status list, if it didn’t start managing the crowds. Consequently, in 2011, the government limited visitors to 2,500 per day. Entrepreneurs have sought to build hotels, bridges, cable cars and offer fly pasts – all rejected. So, if you want to see the jewel, join the queue for the train or the trails like everyone else. You won’t regret it.
Our Machu Picchu Vacations
Peru highlights tour, Inca trail, Titicaca and Nazca
Taste Peru's diverse landscapes and fascinating culture
From
US $3549
15 days
ex flights
Peruvian Andes trekking vacation to Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu with an International Guide and Doctor.
From
US $2979
14 days
ex flights
Highlights of Peru vacation
Join a cultural exploration of Peru
From
US $3002 to US $4199
21 days
ex flights
Adventure vacation Peru
Inca culture to sea lions on Peru adventure
From
US $2764 to US $3915
15 days
ex flights
Machu Picchu by train
Soak up colonial and Inca history by train
From
US $539 to US $699
3 days
ex flights
Inca Trail trek in Peru
Classic trek on Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
From
US $2526 to US $2856
10 days
ex flights
High Inca trail trek in Peru
Machu Picchu, Inca fortresses and cloud forest
From
US $2649 to US $2779
14 days
ex flights
Peru vacation on a shoestring, tailor made
Explore the Inca heartland in the Andes
From
£1899
12 days
ex flights
The Best of Peru & Inca Trail vacation
Explore the majesty of the Andes and trek to Machu Picchu.
From
£2399
17 days
ex flights
Peru trekking vacation, Lares
Alternative Inca Trail - Lares trek to Machu Picchu
From
US $880
5 days
ex flights
Family vacation to Peru, Machu Picchu & the Amazon
Experience Peru's top sights as a family
From
£3608
19 days
ex flights
Peru vacation, Machu Picchu, Cusco & Lake Titicaca
Tailor made amazing Andean adventure and cultural heritage
From
£2065
11 days
ex flights
Machu Picchu and Titicaca vacation
Traverse mountainous landscapes from La Paz to Cusco
From
US $2590
15 days
ex flights
Machu Picchu, Amazon & Galapagos vacation
Escorted group tour to Peru and the Galapagos Islands
From
US $6292 to US $7426
14 days
ex flights
Peru adventure vacation, small group
Experience coastal deserts, mountains and the Amazon Jungle
From
US $3066 to US $4119
19 days
ex flights
Peru highlights vacation
Discover the most enchanting destinations Peru has to offer!
From
US $1290 to US $1805
8 days
ex flights
Ancascocha 5 day trek in Peru
Off the beaten trek to Machu Picchu
From
£620 to £669
5 days
ex flights
Peru 12 day itinerary, tailor made
Highlights of Peru: Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu
From
£1795
12 days
ex flights
Lares Cultural Trek to Machu Picchu, Peru
10-day flexible cultural lodge trek to Machu Picchu.
From
£2945
10 days
ex flights
Hiking the Inca Trail
Fully supported Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu
From
US $880
4 days
ex flights
Peru highlights vacation, 10 days
Discover Peru's highlights from Machu Picchu to Lake Titicaca
From
£2408
10 days
ex flights
Peru bird watching vacation
Best birding destinations near Cusco and Machu Picchu
From
US $1916
9 days
ex flights
Peru on a shoestring vacation
A great way to see Peru on a shoestring
From
US $1820
16 days
ex flights
Peru country tour
Combine the unique ecosystems of Peru in one trip.
From
US $4800
12 days
ex flights
Peru vacation, encompassed
Coastal desert, snowy Andean peaks and lush forest
From
US $3049 to US $3349
15 days
ex flights
Peru cultural vacation, small group
Cultural small group tour visiting the highlights of Peru
From
US $2015 to US $2699
14 days
ex flights
1.
Aguas Calientes
2. Chinchero
3. Cuzco
4. Huayna Picchu
5. Inca Bridge
6. Inca Trail
7. Machu Picchu main site
8. Machu Picchu Mountain
9. The Sun Gate
10. Train to Machu Picchu
2. Chinchero
3. Cuzco
4. Huayna Picchu
5. Inca Bridge
6. Inca Trail
7. Machu Picchu main site
8. Machu Picchu Mountain
9. The Sun Gate
10. Train to Machu Picchu
Aguas Calientes
1. Aguas Calientes
Aka Machu Picchu Pueblo, this final stop before Machu Picchu is a very hot one. Not only in terms of its thermal springs, but also because of the crowds staying here to start their ascent to Machu Picchu, 1.5 hours' trek away (30 mins by bus) at dawn. With plenty of restaurants, the Machu Picchu Museum and Quechua craft stalls, you can also hike to Putucusi Peak, with virtuosic views of Machu Picchu.
Chinchero
2. Chinchero
This rustic little town just north of Cuzco has some notable Incan ruins and agricultural terraces, and the market here is fantastic for woven Andean textiles. However, Chinchero is better known as the proposed site for a hugely controversial new airport. Historians, archaeologists and environmentalists oppose the project, but there is local political support for the potential economic benefits.
Cuzco
3. Cuzco
Cuzco was the capital of the Inca Empire, but for modern tourists, it may as well be the capital of Peru. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, sitting at a cool 3,400m, is the gateway to the Inca Trail, colourful Quechua culture and snow-sprinkled peaks. The colonial architecture of this cobblestoned city is beautifully preserved, and it's a great place to adjust to the altitude before setting off to explore the riches of the Andes.
Huayna Picchu
4. Huayna Picchu
It is always worth escaping the crowds to see Machu Picchu from afar, and although this "young peak", aka Wayna Picchu, is almost as iconic as the ruins, shadowing every selfie, fewer people climb it. Partly thanks to number restrictions, at 400 people per day, but also vertigo; this veritably vertiginous two-hour trail juts up to 360m higher than Machu Picchu, requiring the use of ropes, rope bridges and total resolution.
Inca Bridge
5. Inca Bridge
Less a bridge, more a stone mountain trail thought to have been used as a secret entrance to Machu Picchu by the Incan army, this is a cunning piece of engineering. The path is cut into the rock face, with a six-metre gap over a 600m drop. Unwanted visitors would probably see that as a deathtrap, whereas the army could bridge the gap with tree trunks.
Inca Trail
6. Inca Trail
The iconic trek through Andean arcadia, following Inca-laid stone paths. Strictly regulated, with 500 trekking permits per day, including porters and guides, this books out months in advance. The 3-4 day hike at high altitude passes traditional Quechua villages, through alpine tundra and cloud forests, camping en route. Alternative and equally dramatic routes, with no permit caps, are Salkantay and Lares.
Machu Picchu main site
7. Machu Picchu main site
The 15th century Incan citadel is an archeological arcadia, stretching over 13km2. Astounding even staunch historyphobes – if not for the the Sacred Solar Clock, the Temple of the Sun, the Royal Quarters or the Temple of the Three Windows, then for the setting alone. Perched on a 2,430m peak in the Andes above the Urubamba River valley, it always begs the question – how the hell did they do that?
Machu Picchu Mountain
8. Machu Picchu Mountain
Many people choose to climb a mountain for spectacular panoramas over Machu Picchu. Huayna Picchu is the iconic peak, but Machu Picchu Mountain, south-west of the citadel, is less busy, less steep and has a wider trail. The views are just as magnificent however. If you do opt for a trek in Machu Picchu then your visiting time can be extended to six hours.
The Sun Gate
9. The Sun Gate
The point of entry for hikers who have climbed up along the Inca Trail. The real name is Inti Punku in Quechua, dedicated to the sun god, Inti. Once a fortress for the citadel, with views beyond the beyond, trekkers rush here for sunrise. But in fact, it is often misty at dawn, so consider chilling and avoiding the crowds. Daytrippers hike out to it for the views, about an hour from the citadel.
Train to Machu Picchu
10. Train to Machu Picchu
The train from Cuzco, 3.5hrs through Andean foothills, Urubamba River and Sacred Valleys, terminates at Aguas Calientes, where you hike for 1.5 hours or take a shuttle to Machu Picchu. Perfect for tailor made vacations, choose the budget Expedition train, Vistadome or Hiram Bingham. The latter two have panoramic views (Bingham being the big bucks bubbly en route package). Best views are from LHS going up and RHS coming down.
Our top Machu Picchu Vacation
Peru highlights tour, Inca trail, Titicaca and Nazca
Taste Peru's diverse landscapes and fascinating culture
From
US $3549
15 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2021: 16 Apr, 7 May, 21 May, 4 Jun, 25 Jun, 9 Jul, 30 Jul, 13 Aug, 27 Aug, 10 Sep, 1 Oct, 15 Oct
2021: 16 Apr, 7 May, 21 May, 4 Jun, 25 Jun, 9 Jul, 30 Jul, 13 Aug, 27 Aug, 10 Sep, 1 Oct, 15 Oct
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Machu Picchu or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
Heather McBrayne, founder of our specialist operator Discover South America:
“I lived in Cuzco for seven years following an internship at the Inca Museum there. I’ve probably been up to Machu Picchu between 20 and 25 times, including a few treks on the Inca Trail, the Lares Trek and the Salkantay Trek. I think the visitor restrictions have been effective overall, but the entrance timings don’t really work as there’s nothing stopping someone from overstaying, so you’ll often have more footfall than you’re supposed to. And, as it’s a one-way slow road up there, you still end up with big queues at the entrance.”
More about Machu Picchu
Discover the best time to visit Machu Picchu, taking into account climate and peak tourist season.
This incredible Inca citadel casts as much of a spell over visitors today as it did a century ago.
The vast majority of people get to Machu Picchu either by train, from Cuzco or Ollantaytambo, or by trekking, usually on the iconic Inca Trail (four days).
As one of the world’s most iconic ruins, reached either by scenic train journey or a famously exciting trek, and with limited tickets available so as to preserve the site, Machu Picchu is always going to be busy.
In 2011, Machu Picchu celebrated 100 years since its (sort-of) rediscovery.
There are many alternative Inca sites to Machu Picchu in Peru.
Machu Picchu is one of the world’s great bucket list destinations, and the Inca Trail trek to the site is just as iconic.
Responsible tourism in Machu Picchu means being aware of the threats to this ancient citadel and taking steps to mitigate your own impact.
More relevant guides
protection
Photo credits: [Page banner: Bill Damon] [Aguas Calientes: Tobias Mandt]
[Chinchero: Yusuke Kawasaki]
[Cuzco: Kenneth Moore]
[Huayna Picchu: icelight]
[Inca Bridge: Martin St-Amant]
[Inca trail: Craig Nagy]
[Machu Picchu Main Site: Thiago Melo]
[Machu Picchu Mountain: Pedro Szekely]
[The sun gate: Colegota]
[Train to Machu Picchu: Bruce Tuten]
[Heather quote: John Seb Barber]
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