Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
until 5pm. Plan your visit early or late in the day to avoid the worst of the crowds. Early
morning visits during the rainy season will guarantee you more room to breathe, espe-
cially during February, when the Inca Trail is closed.
Inside the ruins, do not walk on any of the walls - this loosens the stonework and prompts
a cacophony of whistle blowing from the guards. Overnighting here is also illegal: guards
do a thorough check of the site before it closes. Disposable plastic bottles and food are not
allowed. It's best to eat outside the gate, use camping-type drink bottles and pack out all
trash, even organic. Water is sold at the cafe just outside the entrance, but only in glass
bottles.
Walking sticks or backpacks of over 20L are not allowed into the ruins. There is a
bag-
gage check office
(S5 per item; 6am-4pm)
outside the entrance gate and another
baggage
office
(S3 per item; 6am-5pm)
inside the complex.
Use of the only toilet facilities, just below the cafe, will set you back S1.
Local guides (per guest S100-S150; per guest S20 in groups of 6-10) are readily available
for hire at the entrance. Their expertise varies, look for one wearing an official guide ID
from DIRSETUR. Agree on a price in advance, clarify whether the fee is per person or
group.
Dangers & Annoyances
Tiny sand fly-like bugs abound. You won't notice them biting, but you may be itching for
a week. Use insect repellent.
The weather at Machu Picchu seems to have only two settings: heavy rain or bright, burn-
ing sunlight. Don't forget rain gear and sunblock.
Getting There & Around
From Aguas Calientes, frequent buses for Machu Picchu (S50 round-trip, 25 minutes) de-
part from a ticket office along the main road from 5:30am to 2:30pm. Buses return from
the ruins when full, with the last departure at 5:45pm.
Otherwise, it's a steep walk (8km, 1½ hours) up a tightly winding mountain road. First
there's a flat 20-minute walk from Aguas Calientes to Puente Ruinas, where the road to
the ruins crosses the Río Urubamba, near the museum. A breathtakingly steep but well-
marked trail climbs another 2km up to Machu Picchu, taking about an hour to hike (but
less coming down!).
