The complete Machu Picchu guide for 2026
Machu Picchu is the reason most people come to Peru, and standing there really does live up to a lifetime of expectation. But visiting takes a little planning — there is a train or a trek, a timed ticket and a set circuit to think about. This guide pulls it all together so your visit is everything you hoped for.
What you are about to see
Machu Picchu is a complete Inca city, built around 1450 and never found by the Spanish, draped across a ridge between cloud-forest peaks. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World — and somehow, in person, even better than the photos. For the stories behind the stones, see our 20 fascinating facts.
How to get there
There is no road to Machu Picchu — you arrive by train or on foot. The relaxed way is the day tour by train through the Sacred Valley; the unforgettable way is walking in via the Inca Trail or an alternative trek. We lay out every option in how to get to Machu Picchu.
Tickets and circuits
Entry is now timed and tied to a fixed circuit — a one-way route through the site — so the ticket you choose decides what you see. It is simpler than it sounds once explained: our tickets and circuits guide breaks down which to pick, plus the Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain add-ons.
Secure your entry
Tickets are capped daily and sell out — check availability and let us book the right circuit.
The best time to go
The dry season (May to September) brings the clearest skies; the green shoulder months are quieter. The full month-by-month picture is in our best time to visit and Cusco weather guides.
What it costs — and is it worth it?
It costs more than the average attraction, mostly because of the train and the timed ticket — we break down the real numbers in how much a trip to Machu Picchu costs. And if you are wondering whether it lives up to the hype, our honest take is in is Machu Picchu worth it (spoiler: yes).
Train or trek?
If you can spare the days and the legs, walking in is magic — but the train day tour is wonderfully easy and still unforgettable. Either way, acclimatize in Cusco first (altitude guide) and you will enjoy it far more.
Plan your Machu Picchu visit
Day tour or legendary trek — see live availability for your dates.
Frequently asked questions
By train and a short bus on a day tour from Cusco, or on foot via the Inca Trail or an alternative trek. Entry needs a timed ticket tied to a set circuit, booked in advance.
Yes. Entry is capped daily and timed, and popular dates and the Huayna Picchu add-on sell out, so book ahead — we can secure the right ticket and circuit for you.
You can visit in one long day by train, but two to three days lets you acclimatize and enjoy the Sacred Valley too. Treks add four or more days.
For the vast majority of travelers, absolutely — it is a once-in-a-lifetime site. Going early or late and acclimatizing first makes the experience even better.