Machu Picchu is one of the 7 wonders of the modern world. It’s one of the favorite places for travelers around the world. And not only because of the incredible stone city built by the Incas, but also because of everything that surrounds this great tourist destination. The experience of traveling to the historic Inca city is unique in the world. Its landscapes, its buildings, its history—everything makes Machu Picchu a must-see destination.

• Is Machu Picchu one of the best destinations in the world?
• Machu Picchu today
• Why visit Machu Picchu?
• Machu Picchu Tickets 2025
• Protection of Machu Picchu
• Tips for your trip to Machu Picchu in 2025
• Frequently Asked Questions

Classic photo in Machu Picchu

Is Machu Picchu one of the best destinations in the world?

• The experience of visiting Machu Picchu is vast; it’s not enough to simply buy a ticket and visit. Traveling from Cusco to Aguas Calientes by bus and train, surrounded by scenic landscapes, and then climbing to Machu Picchu is one of the most comprehensive experiences.
• The Inca citadel is not only an archaeological destination steeped in history, but it is also surrounded by the lush vegetation typical of the jungle, which adds beautiful views to your trip.
• Machu Picchu is so vast that one day or one ticket isn’t enough to explore it. There are three different circuits and six tickets that take you to different attractions throughout the archaeological sanctuary.
• For several consecutive years, Machu Picchu has been chosen as one of the best destinations to visit by renowned media outlets and international tourism institutions. Furthermore, every tourist believes it will be one of the best experiences of their life.
• In 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, the prestigious World Travel Awards recognized Machu Picchu as the “Best Tourist Attraction in the World.”
• This recognition is also supported by the thousands of recommendations made by tourists who have visited the Inca city on various travel websites and the recommendations they give.

Machu Picchu today

• In 2025, Machu Picchu will once again be one of the world’s top tourist destinations.
• Every day, we strive to improve visitor distribution to provide a better experience, while also seeking greater efficiency in the conservation of the archaeological site.
• During your visit to Machu Picchu in 2025, you’ll find ten tickets available, divided into three tour circuits.
• The most popular routes are: the ascent of Huayna Picchu mountain and the classic circuit tour.
• When you purchase your ticket to Machu Picchu, you’ll notice that there are two ticket seasons available.
• During the high season (June 19th to November 2nd) you will find all ten tickets available.
• In the regular season (November 3 to June 18) there will be only six tickets available.
• During 2025, 5,600 people will be able to enter Machu Picchu: 4,600 virtually and 1,000 in person in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town).

Tourist friends in Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu Opening Hours
The Machu Picchu archaeological sanctuary opens at 6:00 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m. The available schedules are divided into 10 groups, with a one-hour time slot each, from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The standard tour of the Inca citadel takes 2 hours and 30 minutes, although it can be extended up to 6 hours if you take an extra hike.

Why visit Machu Picchu?

If you’re planning your ideal trip and want more than one reason to visit the Inca sanctuary of Machu Picchu, we’ll present the most popular reasons that will have you booking your ticket right away.

Cusco, the capital of the Tahuantinsuyu empire

• The great adventure of reaching Machu Picchu begins in Cusco, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Cusco is considered the “Archaeological Capital of the Americas.”
• Cusco is a city full of impressive panoramas along with cobblestone streets from the Inca era, colonial-era mansions, imposing churches, museums, and many archaeological sites around it such as: Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Tambomachay, Puca Pucara, among many others.
• The ancient capital of Tahuantinsuyo also awaits you with a wide variety of cultural and musical performances and nightlife.
• Cusco boasts unmissable tourist destinations such as Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lagoon, the Sacred Valley, the South Valley, and many more.
• The traditions this territory holds are among the most surprising things you’ll ever experience, given the Andean culture’s historical legacy that dates back to the time before the Incas.

The ideal geography

• Machu Picchu is located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a place surrounded by such vast biodiversity that you’ll find breathtaking landscapes on every hike.
• Before reaching Machu Picchu, you’ll have to pass through this valley, which is home to a large number of magical towns steeped in tradition. You’ll also be constantly surrounded by stunning mountains and snow-capped peaks.
• Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Chinchero are some of the towns that also house archaeological sites. Visiting them will allow you to learn more about the great history of the Incas and their enigmatic constructions.
• On your trip to Machu Picchu, you’ll see how the landscape changes, as you enter a jungle canopy with a variety of vegetation.
• Throughout the tour, you’ll be accompanied by the Urubamba River, one of the reasons why this area is so impressive.

The Inca wonder, spectacular and unforgettable

• Upon arriving at Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town), you’ll know you’re very close to the archaeological sanctuary, given that this place is surrounded by landmarks and is nestled in the mountains, just like Machu Picchu.
• The most common option is to take a bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, although hiking is also possible. Both options will put you practically in the middle of the jungle, allowing you to experience more of the area’s flora and fauna.
• Machu Picchu has 172 main buildings in its archaeological site, covering an area of 325.92 square meters.
• Among the main buildings and places you should visit are: Huayna Picchu mountain, Huchuy Picchu mountain, Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Moon, Inti Punku and the Temple of the Three Windows.
• Machu Picchu covers such a diverse territory that there are many hiking routes to explore.
• The Inca Trail is one of the most popular hikes in the world. This 4-day route covers historic trails and sites to finally reach Machu Picchu.
• Other popular treks to reach Machu Picchu are the Salkantay trek and the Hydroelectric trek.

More adventures and unique experiences

• Near the territory of Machu Picchu, you can also enjoy more adventures such as the Choquequirao trek, the Lares trek, and many more thanks to its ideal terrain for excursions.
• The most popular tours to Machu Picchu are: Machu Picchu Full Day, Inca Jungle, Inca Trail, and Salkantay Trek.
• On your trip, you can enjoy all kinds of adventure sports, hike through incredible natural settings, and experience experiential and mystical tourism.

Family of tourists visiting Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu Tickets 2025

Discover all ten tickets you can find at Machu Picchu, depending on the season of your visit, as well as the tour itinerary included in each one:

Protection of Machu Picchu

• The Machu Picchu Sanctuary is no longer on the list of world heritage sites at risk of being in danger.
• The UNESCO World Heritage Committee approved the favorable report on the state of conservation of the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary.
• The actions taken by the authorities in charge of the sanctuary ensure the Inca city’s sustainability, both for its conservation and for tourism.
• While it is true that visitor capacity has increased at Machu Picchu, its limits are strict. Visitors are now allowed to enter in shifts, which helps maintain order and reduce the flow of tourists the sanctuary handles during peak hours.
• Over time, more actions will surely be taken to continue the conservation and preservation of Machu Picchu. However, at present, it is completely safe to visit the Inca city, provided that you follow the recommendations of the authorities.

Tips for your trip to Machu Picchu in 2025

• To visit Machu Picchu, you must book your tickets at least one month in advance. However, if you want one of the most popular tickets, such as the classic circuits or mountain climbs, you should do so two or three months in advance.
• You can also purchase one of the 1,000 daily tickets available in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town), but it’s unlikely you’ll find one, as lines form early in the morning or the day before.
• After purchasing your Machu Picchu ticket, don’t forget to do the same with your train ticket. These tickets can be purchased online or in person. We recommend choosing the date and time based on the day you choose to visit Machu Picchu.
• Upon arriving in Cusco (3,399 meters above sea level), take advantage of the first day to adapt to the altitude with light activities. This way, when you travel to Machu Picchu (2,430 meters above sea level), you’ll avoid altitude sickness and have a better adventure.
• Currently, it’s no longer mandatory to visit Machu Picchu with a guide, but it’s highly recommended, as this will give you a detailed understanding of each of the buildings you visit and their historical context.
• Aguas Calientes has a great tourist infrastructure with high-quality services, so you won’t have to worry about anything if you forget something.
• If you want to explore Machu Picchu without rushing, we recommend staying overnight in Aguas Calientes. This way, you can explore the archaeological site in detail the next day at your preferred time. (Travel to Machu Picchu in two days)
• Machu Picchu is an archaeological sanctuary in the middle of nature and next to mountains. Remember to take care of it and preserve it along with all the surrounding biodiversity.

Fotos Machu Picchu

Frequently Asked Questions

• 1) Is Machu Picchu the best travel experience?

  Machu Picchu has definitely received the award for best tourist attraction in the world for seven consecutive years since 2017. Furthermore, it’s a place where adventure is experienced throughout the entire tour, from the visit to the citadel, the journeys, to the short detours—every place is unforgettable.

• 2) When is the best time to visit Machu Picchu?

  Any day of the year is ideal for visiting Machu Picchu, but if you want to see the sanctuary in full color and with clear skies, the dry season months (April to October) are your best option.

• 3) What is the best way to get to Machu Picchu?

  The best way to get there is to start the journey from Cusco to Ollantaytambo by bus, then take the train to Aguas Calientes and finally board a bus to Machu Picchu. Another recommended option is the four-day Inca Trail.

• 4) What are the best tours to Machu Picchu?

  The best tours are: Machu Picchu Full Day, Classic Inca Trail, Short Inca Trail, and Salkantay Trek. All of them allow you to explore Machu Picchu with a great adventure.

• 5) How many tickets are available for Machu Picchu?

  There are 5,600 tickets available each day, 4,600 of which are purchased online, while the remaining 1,000 are purchased on the same day in the town of Aguas Calientes.

• 6) How many tickets are there for Machu Picchu?

  There are 10 types of tickets, divided into three different tour circuits. During peak season (June 19 to November 2), all tickets will be available, while during the regular season (November 3 to June 18), only six tickets will be available.

• 7) What places can I visit near Machu Picchu?

  You can visit Santa Teresa, the Cocalmayo hot springs, the town of Aguas Calientes, the Sacred Valley and all its historic towns, and take many hikes through its vast territory, ideal for trekking.

• 8) How far in advance should I book tickets to Machu Picchu?

  You must make your reservation at least one month in advance if you want to find the day and time of your preference. Additionally, if you want a ticket to Huayna Picchu Mountain, Huchuy Picchu Mountain, or the classic circuit, you must do so two or three months in advance.

• 9) How long does the trip from Cusco to Machu Picchu take?

  If you choose to travel from Cusco by bus and train, then board another bus in Aguas Calientes (the usual route), it will take around 5 hours.

• 10) Which tickets include hiking in Machu Picchu?

  There are six tickets that include hikes at Machu Picchu:

  • Machu Picchu + Mountain (Route 1A)
  • Machu Picchu + Inti Punku (Route 1C)
  • Machu Picchu + Inca Bridge (Route 1D)
  • Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu (Route 3A)
  • Machu Picchu + Great Cavern or Temple of the Moon (Route 3C)
  • Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu (3D Route)

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu

By: George B.

“¡Inca experience!“

“First of all, say that the quotas are over quickly so you must buy the tickets months in advance. I liked the impressive view and classical photographs. Highly recommended!“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, August 16, 2025