This place needs no introduction — it is Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. I visited in December 2022, right when Peru was in the middle of mass protests against the government. I had already booked my tickets, so I thought: screw it, I am going anyway. Turns out, the whole site had fewer than 50 tourists. I practically had the entire place to myself. So you really never know what life throws at you.
Because visiting Machu Picchu requires a ticket and getting there is time-consuming, I am sharing my experience to help you avoid some common mishaps — like picking a day with bad weather or not leaving enough buffer time for logistics.
Is Machu Picchu Worth Visiting?
Yes, with some honest caveats.
I had a great experience because I essentially had the place to myself, which is obviously not the norm. I hired a guide — I believe it was required at the time — and walked through the ruins with some real depth and context.
Was it nice? Yes. Was it jaw-dropping? Not quite. The reason is the hype. Machu Picchu is so heavily talked about that expectations can run ahead of reality. It reminded me of visiting the Great Wall of China in that sense — genuinely impressive, historically significant, but also somehow slightly smaller than you imagined.
I have Peruvian friends who absolutely love it. Many of my foreign friends do too. I had a good time and I would recommend going — just be aware that the experience with large crowds will be quite different from mine.
How to Get to Machu Picchu
The most common route is via Peru Rail from Ollantaytambo, a town situated between Cusco and Machu Picchu. The train ride takes around 1.5 hours and passes through the Sacred Valley — genuinely scenic, worth a window seat.
From the train station at Aguas Calientes, you take a shuttle bus up to the main entrance of Machu Picchu. The bus ride takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on traffic.
Key things to book in advance:
- Machu Picchu entry ticket — timed slots, limited daily capacity
- Peru Rail train — book early, especially for peak season
- Shuttle bus — purchasable at Aguas Calientes on the day, but lines can be long
Aguas Calientes: The Gateway Town
Aguas Calientes, officially known as Machu Picchu Pueblo, is the town you stay in before your visit. It sits at 2,040 metres elevation at the confluence of the Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes rivers, surrounded by steep, forested mountains.
The town is essentially built for tourists — restaurants, souvenir shops, hostels, and guides are all within easy walking distance of the train station.
I stayed at a hostel run by an Argentine guy for about $10 a night. Budget accommodation is easy to find. The town has a good vibe — it feels lived-in rather than overly staged, and wandering around in the evening after a day at the ruins is genuinely pleasant.
Most people stay one or two nights here. I quite liked it. And yes, Cusco Sour is available — a local twist on the classic pisco sour that is absolutely worth trying.
Exploring Machu Picchu: The Lost City of the Incas
The site itself is extensive. The main circuit takes you through terraces, residential sectors, temples, and viewpoints. Walking with a guide made a real difference — context on the Incan construction methods, the agricultural terracing, and the solar alignment of the structures added a lot to what could otherwise just feel like a walk through old stone walls.
The llamas roaming freely around the ruins are a highlight in themselves. They are completely unbothered by visitors and make for excellent photos.
Practical notes for the visit:
- Bring layers — weather at this elevation can shift quickly from sun to cloud to rain
- Wear good walking shoes, the terrain is uneven stone
- There is no food inside the site, eat before or bring snacks
- Crowds are thinnest early morning or late afternoon
Machu Picchu Mountain: The Steep Climb
For those who want more of a physical challenge, Machu Picchu Mountain (Montana Machu Picchu) is a separate hike with its own ticket. It rises above the main citadel and offers a panoramic aerial view of the entire site — the kind of perspective you see in most iconic photographs.
It is steep and takes around 1.5 hours each way. The steps are narrow and the altitude makes itself felt. I would recommend it if you have reasonable fitness and want a different vantage point from the one inside the citadel.
Book the mountain ticket separately when you purchase your main entry ticket — spots are limited.
Final Thoughts on Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is worth going to. The history is real, the setting is dramatic, and experiencing one of the world’s great ancient sites in person is something photographs cannot fully replace.
My honest take: go in with calibrated expectations. The hype is enormous, and the reality is impressive but perhaps not the transcendent experience some write-ups suggest. If you happen to catch it with few tourists — as I did — it becomes something genuinely special.
Plan for more time than you think you need. Logistics in this part of Peru can run slow, weather can delay buses, and you do not want to miss a train because the queue for the shuttle was longer than expected.