The ruins of the ancient city of Machu Picchu in Peru are mysterious historical relics of mankind and are also the area where the Inca civilization once lived. It preserves a range of ancient buildings and ruins and has become a very popular tourist destination. Here is a detailed travel guide for you.

Machu Picchu is a very important cultural and historical tourist attraction in Peru. There are actually many access strategies for major websites. I want to emphasize here that one of the more important things I have encountered is nonsense, but I want to talk about it in detail so that some people will find it boring, but I hope you can read it slowly.

Let me talk about my personal feelings about Machu Picchu: you can see it from a distance. Very grand. After entering the scenic spot, you have to pass through a large platform where there are many good photo spots. There will also be several alpacas) BTW Cusco raised in the park. Local Andean people such as Ouyantai cook alpaca meat, which is more delicious than beef.

When you walk into this ancient ruins, you will find that even the square stones have been piled reasonably into rooms and halls, but after all, there is no spectacular view in the distance. After all, there is Huayna Picchu Mountain in the distance and the Urubamba River below as a backdrop.

The best route to travel to Machu Picchu

Cusco-Pisac Inca Ruins-Salt Fields-Ouyantai-Hotwater Town

Sit in Ouyantai It takes 1.5 hours by mountain train to get to Hotwater Town. It's important here. When I go there I usually have no problem. This time, the problem is I'm back. I booked a ticket from Hot Water. Before buying a ticket to go up the mountain, you have to pass through the town of Hot Water in front of Machu Picchu, and then come back.

Okay, here’s the important thing. It seems that the return tickets starting from February every year go directly to Cusco, without Hot Water Town. However, when I bought the ticket on the official website, it showed that it was going to Cusco, and then only went to Ouyantai.

When I went to the station to find a staff member, an aunt from Boston also encountered such a problem. Later, many people also asked, if there are buses with group tours, most of them buy tickets for Cusco when traveling independently, but the terminal is at Ouyantai.

Then the question is how to get back to Cusco in Ouyantai. It’s what everyone thinks: there are no taxis, chartered cars, carpooling, etc. Or there are almost no taxis.

The best solution is to stay overnight and find a big car the next day, or take a car back, but starting from Machu Picchu is basically in the afternoon and noon at the earliest. In addition, the problem is that the night road from Oyante back to Cusco is very dangerous. No. 1: Mountain Road No. 2: When passing through rural areas, villagers will come out to set up obstacles and extort money. This happened to me. Of course, the villagers are not just for tourists, they are for anyone coming from the countryside.

In conclusion, if you want to go to Machu Picchu, it is better to skip February, or send an email before buying your train ticket to ask if the next train will end in Cusco. This is important, you must remember.

Introduction to Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu, known as the 'Lost City' of the Inca Empire, is located on a steep and narrow spot between the inaccessible Peaks of Old Man and Peak of Youth in the Andes Mountains. On the ridge, 2400 meters above sea level. In Inca, Machu Picchu means "ancient mountaintop."

Machu Picchu is 120 kilometers away from Cusco, the capital at the time. Hundreds of years ago, there was only a narrow Inca Trail between the mountains that connected Machu Picchu to Cusco. Nowadays, tourists will feel a strong shock when they come here by tourist train. ——Machu Picchu ahead seems likely to slide down the narrow ridge into the abyss at any time. It was on this steep, barren ridge that the Incas built their city.

Machu Picchu has more than 170 buildings, 6 terraces, thousands of steps, several temples and 16 fountains. What a miracle. It was declared a historic protected area in Peru in 1981 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

How to play in Machu Picchu

Hiking in Machu Picchu

At the beginning of the hike, we will choose Cusco City (with sufficient equipment and supplies prepared), and hike The scope and route are probably the entire area around Machu Picchu, and then explore various famous attractions or landscapes such as the ancient Inca quarries, Huamanmacca, Humandi Lake (L, D), Dalares Town, etc. Start the journey from Cusco - take Aguascalientes (B, L) or the Sacred Valley, or Aguascalientes and Santa Rosa etc. Get in touch with and go deep into various attractions.

Below are three popular hiking routes for your reference.

Hiking Machu Picchu - the most difficult part of the Trail journey, takes three hours to reach the first Cinderella Pass, Warmiwanusca (4200 meters above sea level) and the top of the Inca Trail. Here you can enjoy panoramic views of the entire region (magnificent mountain and glacier panoramas). After lunch, walk to the campsite in Pakmayo.

Machu Picchu Hiking Pacemayo Camp

Cusco started walking towards the ancient Inca cultural ruins of Runkurakay. Continue to the ancient ruins of Sayaymarca, visit and have lunch here. People noticed that the natural landscape and vegetation in this area changed, from sparse alpine areas to subtropical forests. Next, another important ancient ruins building, Puyapatanarka, passed by, and finally, we hiked to the end of today's Nevina camp.

Weinevina Camp

Start early at Ollantaytambo and arrive at the gate of Machu Picchu (Puerta del Sol) to watch the most spectacular sunrise in the world. In front of you are mountains on one side, a canyon more than 4,000 meters deep on the other, snow-capped mountains above, and tropical rainforest above. Watch the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu awaken in the golden morning light. Press the shutter as much as you want and leave beautiful memories.

Short-distance hiking route map

Machu Picchu regular group tours

Machu Picchu regular one-day tours or multi-day tours are a complete set of products. Starting from your hotel in Cusco, you can be picked up at the train station (this will help you buy the train and save you the time of logging on to the official website to buy tickets), and then you will arrive at Machu Picchu. There will be a tour guide explaining the itinerary along the way, and then escorting you back to the hotel along the way. The only drawback is that there is no Chinese service (if your friends don't speak English at all, it is not recommended to participate). The greatest fun is to enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way and chat in English with tourists from all over the world (there are many beauties and handsome guys, most of them are alone). So, if you're planning a trip to Machu Picchu in Peru and your first stop is Lima, then you'll want to fly to Cusco for a delegation, which is the city from which most dispersed groups depart.

Archaeological Adventure Tourism

In addition to conventional hiking, Machu Picchu also has a field trip similar to an archaeological movie. If you are interested in archeology, consider a field trip like this. This tour is spectacular but also challenging - hike and explore the archaeological site of Choquequillao in the steep Apurimac Canyon, then arrive in Agua Calientes to fully explore the historic site of Machu Picchu .

You can also drive from Cusco to Machu Picchu. From there, it's a three-hour walk to Aguas Calientes and then to Machu Picchu. Many tour companies in Cusco offer this route as a one- or two-day trip using private vehicles.

How to get to Machu Picchu?

Exploring the route to Machu Picchu was fun. Because when you go to Machu Picchu, you first stop in the city of Cusco. There are two routes from Cusco. The most popular route is to start in Cusco, then take the train to Aguascalientes, and then take the last 8 kilometers or so by bus to Machu Picchu.

A train runs several times a day (depending on season and demand) from Estacin San Pedro in Cusco to Aguas Calientes (in Urubamba), a three-hour journey. Some trains are express, while others have several stops along the way. It can take up to five hours by slow train.

If you choose the express train, you will have more time to arrange hiking, which is one of the most beautiful hiking routes in the world. If you want to hike, you should plan for three or four days to trek the 33 kilometers (20 miles) because of the high altitude and steep trails. Others visit Machu Picchu, Lima and the Sacred Valley on land trips that include time in Cusco.

What train goes to Machu Picchu? What is the appeal of trains?

There are currently two railway companies operating trains from Cusco to Machu Picchu Railway Station: Peruvian Railways and Inca Railways (the third Machu Picchu train, merged with Inca Railways in early 2013). Then, the entire train carriage is decorated with skylights, and the windows on the seats are panoramic. This is a unique style in attractions around the world, and has a different experience from the trains along the coast of Sri Lanka.

The service on the train can be called the A380 flight attendant service level on land, with all kinds of meals, fruits and snacks available. If Machu Picchu is the main course of the trip, then a trip to Machu Picchu can be a delicious appetizer. Below is a brief introduction to the railway routes and conditions for the convenience of friends who are going to Peru for the first time.

Peru Railways

Cusco to Machu Picchu (three to four hours): Departs from Polay Station (Poroy), about 20 minutes from the center of Cusco.

(Note: From January 2 to April 30, 2016, the Vistadome and Expedition train services at Machu Picchu Train Station will depart from Pacha Station, which is located in the center of Cusco and is a 1-hour 50-minute ride. Transportation from Cusco to Pachar station is not included in the provisional fare listed on the Peruvian Railways website )

Urubamba to Machu Picchu (three hours). ): Departs from Urubamba Station. Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu (one and a half hours): Depart from Ollantaytambo, about half way from Poroy (Cusco).

Peru Railways also offers three different types of trains along the Machu Picchu route (a fourth, but subsidized only for residents) – a good option if you happen to have a foreign resident ID card ):

Hiram Bingham: The Hiram Bingham train – named after the man who rediscovered Machu Picchu – is a luxury option for Peru, but it Not cheap. Expect to pay over $300 one way from Poiroi to Machu Picchu.

VistaDome: The VistaDome offers a cheaper alternative to the luxurious Hiram Bingham. This is the mid-range option for Peruvian railways: comfortable, air-conditioned, and equipped with panoramic windows.

Expedition: Expedition is a low-budget option for Peru Rail if you just want to get to Machu Picchu. There is not much difference between the Expedition and the slightly more expensive Vistadome.

Inca Railway

The Inca Railway runs from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and then to Machu Picchu Station (some Urubamba coaches can be determined according to the train class). The Inca Railways has three trains: the Economy Class Machu Picchu Train; the Economy Class Machu Picchu Train Canada; and the First Class Train (Executive and First Class Inca Trains;) and the Inca Princess Train with "Presidential" Service . Machu Picchu Train (Economy Class): Departs from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu every day, Inca Train (Executive/First Class): Departs from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu, four times a day, is a more comfortable option. One-way business class tickets currently cost the same as Machu Picchu train tickets. First class service is only available during peak seasons, April 1 to October 31 and December 21 to 31. Presidential: The luxury Presidential service is available for transportation aboard the Inca Princess and also runs between Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu stations. Advance reservation required; prices vary based on exact schedule. Tickets include a welcome bottle of champagne, a five-course tasting menu and an open bar.

Tip:

The so-called Cusco Railway Station is actually in the nearby town of Polay. Remember to take a taxi from CuscoCentral to the train station and take extra time (at least an hour). The roads in Cusco are not large and are frequently maintained, so traffic jams occur from time to time.

When is the best time to go to Machu Picchu?

May to September is the peak season and the weather is dry. This is also the time when there are the most tourists. The off-season is from October or November to March or April. Because most of this season is rainy and accompanied by low temperatures, the number of tourists is not very large.

Machu Picchu Tickets

In 2007, Machu Picchu was selected as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in a worldwide Internet vote, becoming a very popular Attractions. Rumors have circulated for years that Machu Picchu would be closed, but the Peruvian government has not made a statement regarding the closure of this famous archaeological site.

Machu Picchu is currently open to the public from 06:00 am to 17:00 pm every day. Given the early closing time, it is recommended to arrive no later than lunch time to allow enough time for sightseeing and much-needed hiking. However, the sooner you arrive on site, the better.

:What should you pay attention to when visiting Machu Picchu?

1. Each visitor must hold a valid ID that matches the details on the ticket. Without this identification, you will be denied entry. Tickets must be used on the correct date.

2. Toxic substances, alcohol, drug guns or air guns, ammunition, explosives, flammable items or other similar items.

Bows and arrows, hunting or fishing tools, axes, machetes, knives with blades exceeding 7 cm, picks, shovels or other tools.

3. Any kind of trap to capture animal specimens

4. Fuels such as kerosene, diesel and gasoline

5. Audio equipment, pets and exotic species Candles

6. Tourists exhibiting bad behavior (including anyone exposed in the venue, especially homeless people in Machu Picchu)

: Prohibited behavior in the Machu Picchu scenic area

1. Build a campfire or other type of open fire

2. Throw food randomly

3. Write or graffiti on the wall

4. Climbing or directly touching the walls of archaeological sites

5. Loud noises (whistles, shouts, etc.). )

6. Use any part of the archaeological site as a toilet

7. Snacks other than drinks carried in the canteen (individual).

8. Change the status of animals and plants in archaeological sites.

9. Wearing a cane, except for the elderly and disabled people.

10. Smoking at archaeological sites or surrounding areas where forest fires may occur.

Introduction to hotels near Machu Picchu

After the trip, you can choose to stay overnight in a hotel near the attraction, such as the Little Belmond Sanctuary Hotel. It's very close to the main group, so there's no need to take another bus. But there is no doubt that the number of hotel rooms is relatively small and the prices are not cheap, with the lowest being only four figures.

The best place to stay in Calientes, Arkansas is at the Catra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. This is a huge resort away from the crowds and adjacent to the forest. Narrow stone paths lead through lush greenery, offering views of colorful birds and blooming orchids. Hotel facilities include a swimming pool and an outdoor jacuzzi. The public space has comfortable alcoves and a warm atmosphere, and the hotel service staff are enthusiastic and professional.

Be careful of altitude sickness when going to Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is located at an altitude of 7972 feet (2430 meters), and Huayana Picchu on the peak of the archaeological site reaches an altitude of 8920 feet (2720 meters).

In these plateau areas, travelers may experience symptoms of altitude sickness. According to the article above, you must pass through the city of Cusco to get to Machu Picchu. When arriving in Cusco, travelers should avoid strenuous exercise due to altitude sickness.

Cusco is located at an altitude of 11,152 feet (3,399 meters). If flying direct from Lima, rest for at least 24 hours. Lima is located at sea level. Flying directly from Lima to Cusco is equivalent to a significant increase in altitude in a short period of time, giving your body no chance to adapt during the journey (if you take a bus from Lima to Cusco, there is usually It takes about 20 hours to slowly adapt). Newcomers can also choose to depart from Cusco.