It wasn’t that long ago when Machu Picchu was still a secret, concealed in the clouds, high in the Peruvian Andes.
But now it’s one of the hottest tourist locations in the world, and little wonder. Its layered terraces, its unique vantage points for sunsets, its mix of natural and cut stone; Machu Picchu isn’t just another place to visit. It’s an adventure for the mind, body, and spirit.
When you visit Machu Picchu, you will feel just as much as you see.
With that said, there are ways to make most of what you feel to be pleasant. Nobody wants to travel so far from home only to experience setbacks for lack of preparation.
Here are some tips to make visiting Peru and Machu Picchu a memory that brings smiles instead of frowns.
Preparation is Priceless
1. The earlier you reserve your train tickets and your visit to the Lost City, the better. Now that it’s no longer so Lost, Machu Picchu can see close to a million visitors a year. And those are the approved visits. Many permits are turned down due to sheer numbers. Things are different now with travel restrictions due to Covid-19, but visitors looking for the Machu Picchu experience still remain high. So by all means, contact a certified tour operator like TOUR IN PERU.
2. The original Inca Trail is one of the grandest ways to visit Machu Picchu, but it is also one of the most well-controlled. Your hike on this path also needs to be booked months in advance, and a licensed tour operator like TOUR IN PERU can take care of this effortlessly.
3. You won’t need to worry about getting a tourist visa, but you will receive a tourist card from the customs official. Keep it safe unless you plan on paying a fine upon leaving the country.
Routes Around the Crowds
4. Machu Picchu may be distant and exotic to you, but it’s a very accessible spot to the people that are local to the area. So the place frequently experiences crowds in the morning and the afternoon. But there are a few windows of time to visit with fewer people present. The strategy is to visit Machu Picchu over two days instead of one single packed day. Late morning is when the early morning crowds are dispersing. Sunrise is just before the day crowd pours in. You will never be alone, but you won’t be as hemmed in.
5. Sunsets in Machu Picchu are not to be missed. Make arrangements to be there late in the day to see the rays of the setting sun playing over the citadel.
Dress For the Journey
6. The weather in Peru is varied, depending on what part of it you’re in at the moment. Machu Picchu experiences extremes in temperature depending on what time of day it is. It would be wise to dress for both conserving warmth and shedding it.
7. Insect repellent and sunscreen are strongly recommended.
8. Toilet paper may not be in every bathroom you visit. Be sure to pack some in your supplies.
Money Matters
9. There will be plenty of times that ATMs will be inaccessible, so please carry cash on you at all times as a precaution. Oh yeah, an additional precaution: Do not carry large amounts of cash on you and don’t make it a point to flaunt money or valuables.
10. Credit cards are fine in most situations, but you may find yourself against a rather high exchange rate.
11. Taxi services are available, but be aware of the need to negotiate the total price before the trip begins. There is no precise way of metering the distance of the trip along the way, so reach an agreement before departing.
12. Do your best to take a taxi ride in the presence of another tourist. This is a safety precaution. If it becomes necessary to ride alone, then be sure to use a licensed taxi service. Using an unlicensed service is taking a risk.
13. Exercise precaution when venturing out at night, as you would in any other populated area.
14. If you spend money on hiking equipment beforehand, it would be wise to break it in at least a month before your adventure. This is especially the case with hiking boots.
The Most Important Tip of All
15. Plan your Machu Picchu adventure with TOUR IN PERU. Again, the sooner the better.
