PE · Cusco · 13.16°S 72.55°W

machu picchu

Inca terraces and stone lanes on a narrow ridge above the green Urubamba valley.

Best time
May–September are dry, with June–August busiest. January–February are wet, with more landslides along the railway; the Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance, but the site itself stays open.
How long
2 days, 1 night from Cusco
Getting there
Fly to Lima with one stop, usually via Amsterdam, then about 1.25 hours on to Cusco, about 30–35 hours all in, and spend a couple of days there first. Then it's about 1.5 hours by road to Ollantaytambo, 1.5 hours by train to Aguas Calientes and 25 minutes by bus up to the site. Peru is 13 hours behind KL all year.
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PE · Cuscomachu picchu13.16°S 72.55°Wgowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Inca terraces and stone lanes on a narrow ridge above the green Urubamba valley.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingMachu PicchuPE, Cusco
KLmachu picchu
≈ 18,734 km from KL, as the crow flies
Machu Picchu

Photo: Draceane · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Machu Picchu is a whole Inca town of temples, houses and terraces on a ridge between steep green peaks, missed by the Spanish and left almost intact. The setting, with the river looping far below, is what stays with you.

Makan

  1. Lomo saltadoBeef stir-fried with onion, tomato and soy, served with chips and rice; Peruvian-Chinese comfort food.Map ↗
  2. Chicha moradaA sweet, non-alcoholic purple-corn drink spiced with cinnamon and clove.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Upper terracesThe postcard view over the whole site, from the terraces near the Guardhouse. Not every ticket circuit goes up there, so pick one that does.Map ↗
  2. Temple of the Sun and the stoneworkCurved and fitted walls without mortar, the finest Inca masonry on the site.Map ↗
  3. Huayna PicchuThe steep peak behind the ruins, climbed by narrow stone stairs. It needs its own ticket, which sells out early.Map ↗
  4. Aguas CalientesThe town below, with hot springs; stay a night to catch an early bus up.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Buy tickets for a specific circuit and time on the Ministry of Culture's official site before booking the train; they sell out weeks ahead in season.
  • Carry the passport you booked with, as it's checked at the gate.
  • Halal is very limited in Aguas Calientes; trout and vegetarian dishes are easiest, and there's no food inside the site.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.