Machu Picchu: possible complications during the trip

Machu Picchu receives around 5,000 visitors every day from all over the world. The vast majority have the best experience since it is one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World. However, a small number of people have some complications on their trip. The main reason is misinformation and mistakes when organizing the trip. Learn about some possible complications on the trip to Machu Picchu, in Cusco – Peru.

No entrance to Machu Picchu available

The main complication when traveling to Machu Picchu is organizing everything at the last minute. The Inca city is the destination of thousands of people from all over the world and tickets have limited availability. The same is true for tours organized by travel agencies. That is, if you decide to travel at a moment’s notice, you will not get tickets available and you will not be able to visit the Inca city.

In these cases, the only viable option is to find a ticket to Machu Picchu in person in the town of Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu town). All tickets are sold online except for a thousand tickets that can be purchased at the ticket office in this town in Cusco. Unfortunately, these tickets also sell out quickly. For this reason, many tourists get a ticket for the day after the one they want.

• What else can you do in these cases? – There are other ways to visit Machu Picchu, such as the 2-day Inca Trail tour. This option is more expensive but allows you to walk along the Inca trails (qhapac ñan), a historic route.
• How to prevent these complications during your trip? – The safest option is to buy your ticket to Machu Picchu online two to three months in advance.

Choosing a ticket or tour that doesn’t offer the dream experience

Since 2024, there are ten types of tickets to Machu Picchu. Each one offers a different experience and a tour of the archaeological site in one of the three established circuits: circuit 1, 2 or 3. Due to not being adequately informed about these tickets and circuits, tourists do not choose the right ticket and get a different experience than the one they dreamed of in the Inca city. This can also happen if there is no availability and they choose the ticket that is available, often an unwanted ticket.

In these cases, it is best to be properly informed. Most visitors prefer two types of tickets: a) Machu Picchu Classic entrance and b) Machu Picchu Classic entrance to the lower terrace. Both allow you to tour the archaeological site on Circuit 2, the most complete as it includes most of the Inca temples. In addition, this circuit allows you to take the classic postcard photo of Machu Picchu.

• What else can you do in these cases? – If tourists want to add adventure to their visit to Machu Picchu, it is best to choose the ticket ‘Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu’ or ‘Machu Picchu with Mountain’, the two best hiking routes. Remember that these hikes are available all year round but only for visitors over 18 years old.
• How to prevent these complications on your trip? – It is recommended to buy the ticket to Machu Picchu of your choice online two or three months in advance. The best tickets are those that sell out the fastest.

Visiting Machu Picchu without a tour guide

In theory, visiting Machu Picchu with a tour guide is mandatory. However, in practice, you can visit the Inca city without the company of a guide. This is a mistake on the trip because a guide makes the route through Machu Picchu much more informative, entertaining and safe. In addition, there are no information panels at the archaeological site, so the visitor will not understand the historical value of the Inca city.

Tour guide services in Machu Picchu are easy to find. Right at the entrance to the Inca city there are guides who offer to organize a shared group (group service) or a private group (for families, couples or friends) to begin the visit to Machu Picchu. According to testimonies of visitors, the tour of Machu Picchu would not have been the same without the company of a professional guide.

• What else can you do in these cases? – Machu Picchu tours already include the company of a professional tour guide. You can also get a guide online through a travel agency.
• How to prevent these complications on your trip? – Group guided tours are cheaper. You can get a guide for group service at the entrance of Machu Picchu, although you will have to wait until the group is complete.

No availability found for the train trip

The vast majority of visitors arrive at Machu Picchu by train from Cusco to Aguas Calientes via the town of Ollantaytambo. Although this train ticket is widely available, to get the best time and frequency, it must be purchased online on average a month in advance. Otherwise, you may not even run the risk of not finding the train ticket.

This is more complicated for Peruvian tourists who can buy a cheap train called a ‘local train’. However, this train can be purchased in person in Cusco. It is recommended to do so at least 1 week in advance. If there is no availability, they will have to choose a tourist train (much more expensive) or venture to travel on the alternative route of Hidroeléctrica.

• What else can be done in these cases? – Foreign tourists must buy their train tickets online one month in advance on average. Peruvian tourists can buy their local train tickets (much cheaper) but in person.
• How to prevent these complications when traveling? – Plan your trip two or three months in advance. You should get the train ticket after knowing the day and time of your visit to Machu Picchu.

Climbing Machu Picchu on foot from Aguas Calientes without preparation

The train ride from Cusco ends in the town of Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu town due to its proximity to the archaeological site, which is only 10 kilometers away. This stretch can be covered by bus (cost of 12 dollars for foreigners) or on foot. The latter option is free but requires significant physical effort. The walk is 8 kilometers long, most of it climbing stone steps. An average tourist completes it in 2 hours.

Climbing Machu Picchu without being physically fit makes the visit to the archaeological site more difficult. This is because in the Inca city you also have to take a walking tour of the Inca buildings. Circuit 2, the most popular among tourists, for example, takes 2 hours and 30 minutes on average. That is to say, if the visitor arrives tired at the Inca citadel, he will not enjoy Machu Picchu in the right way.

• What else can you do in these cases? – If the visitor is in good physical shape, he or she can hike from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu very early, at 5 am, before the sun exhausts the visitor with its high temperatures.
• How to prevent these complications during the trip? – If the visitor is not in good physical condition, it is definitely best to take the bus from the town of Aguas Calientes. The bus trip takes 30 minutes on average.

Choosing a hiking route that does not offer the right experience

Machu Picchu offers up to six types of tickets that include a different hiking route. These hikes are: a) to Huayna Picchu (2 kilometers), b) to Machu Picchu Mountain (3 kilometers), c) to the Great Cavern (2.5 kilometers), d) to the Inca Bridge (1 kilometer), e) to Huchuy Picchu (1 kilometer) and f) to Intipunku (2 kilometers). Many tourists choose one of these routes without getting enough information, and end up with a bad experience.

The most popular route is Huayna Picchu, which offers challenging paths and spectacular views. The route to Machu Picchu Mountain is also similar, although longer and takes more time. The other arduous route is the one that leads to the Great Cavern or Temple of the Moon. However, this Inca temple does not offer a scenic view of Machu Picchu. The other routes, to the Inca Bridge, to Huchuy Picchu and to Intipunku, are less difficult. Only the last one, to Intipunku or Gate of the Sun, is suitable for visitors under 18 years of age.

• What else to do in these cases? – If you are looking to add adventure to your visit to Machu Picchu, choose the ticket to the Huayna Picchu mountain. This is the hike that most tourists prefer.
• How to prevent these complications during your trip? – Tickets to Huayna Picchu must be purchased online two or three months in advance.

Arriving late at the entrance gate of Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu has set opening times for each of its ten types of tickets. The Inca city is open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Each ticket allows entry at a specific time (for example, 7 a.m.). The allowed late arrival time is 30 minutes maximum and 45 minutes during the high tourist season (from June 1 to October 15). If you arrive late, you will not be allowed entry except in duly justified cases.

In order not to arrive late to Machu Picchu, it is best to plan your train trip and your bus trip from Cusco in detail. For example, to arrive at the Inca city at 11am, you should leave Cusco at 6am on average. The train from Ollantaytambo should be taken at 8am, and the bus from Aguas Calientes at approximately 10.30am. If you are visiting Machu Picchu at 6am, it is best to spend the night before in a hotel in Aguas Calientes and take the final bus at 5.30am.

• What else to do in these cases? – If you visit Machu Picchu on a tour, the travel agency will be in charge of choosing the appropriate times so you don’t arrive late. If you are traveling on your own, choose the train ticket time according to your visit schedule at the entrance to Machu Picchu.
• How to prevent these complications during your trip? – In case of train delays, the authorities at Machu Picchu will be informed and will allow you to enter the Inca city. Avoid getting up late on the day of your visit.

Bringing prohibited objects to visit Machu Picchu

The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is considered a sacred place. In addition, to prevent its collapse and to ensure the proper movement of people, there is a list of prohibited objects. The most common, and the most common mistakes made by tourists, are to bring umbrellas (rain ponchos are allowed instead), baby strollers (kangaroo-type carriers instead), shoes with heels or metal-tipped walking sticks.

Likewise, no advertising objects such as banners or flags are allowed in Machu Picchu. Professional filming objects such as large cameras or drones are also not permitted. Of course, damaging Inca buildings or performing acts that disrupt the visit of other tourists is prohibited. Punishments range from warnings from guards to legal action in the event of damaging Machu Picchu’s heritage.

• What else should you do in these cases? – Visit Machu Picchu with a professional guide who is responsible for ensuring that tourists comply with the rules at the archaeological site.
• How to prevent these complications during your trip? – Make your visit to Machu Picchu in compliance with the rules that the guards recommend.

By Machupicchu Terra – Last updated, December 3, 2024