Machu Picchu travel guide
The citadel sits at about 2,430 m, lower than Cusco, and is reached by train to Aguas Calientes and then by bus up the switchback road. The ticket is issued for a fixed date, hour and circuit, and the route inside runs one way: the visit is planned before travelling, not on arrival.
Season by month
When to travel- Peak season
- High season
- Low season
What to do in Machu Picchu
- The citadel with a guide approx. 3 h The circuit is assigned when the ticket is bought and is walked one way.
- Huayna Picchu approx. 3 h A small quota and its own hour; exposed steps, not for anyone with vertigo.
- Machu Picchu Mountain approx. 3 h Longer and less vertical than Huayna Picchu; the view takes in the whole valley.
- Inti Punku and the Inca Bridge approx. 3 h Two short walks from the citadel, with the best overall view.
- Aguas Calientes and its thermal baths approx. 2 h The town at the foot of the mountain: it serves the night before and the wait for the train.
- The train through the Urubamba canyon approx. 2 h A long hour and a half between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes, the river alongside the whole way.
Who to offer it to
When to go
From April to October the sky clears more often and the site walks comfortably; June to August is where demand concentrates. From November to March the rain falls mostly in the afternoon and the mountain wakes under mist that usually lifts. The Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance; the citadel stays open.
How many days
A full day from the Sacred Valley covers the citadel with a guide. Adding one of the mountains — Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu — or entering on the first slot means sleeping in Aguas Calientes.
What not to miss
The citadel walked with a guide along the assigned circuit; the Inti Punku, the sun gate where the Inca Trail arrives; the Inca Bridge on the edge of the drop; and, for those with a permit and the legs for it, the climb up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.
What to offer and why
The full day from the Sacred Valley is the format that punishes the traveller least: an early train from Ollantaytambo, the citadel with a guide, and back in the afternoon. A night in Aguas Calientes earns its place when a mountain is added or the first entry slot is wanted.
When to book
As early as possible. The ticket carries a quota per hour and per circuit, and the mountains sell out first; June to August is worked months ahead, outside that window weeks.
Practical and operational
The ticket is issued in the traveller's name and checked against ID; the assigned circuit runs one way and does not allow doubling back. It is about thirty minutes by bus from the town up to the citadel. There are no toilets inside the site, large luggage is not admitted, and trekking poles are allowed only with rubber tips.
How we arrange it
We book ticket, train and bus as one block, because the ticket slot governs the train time and not the other way round. We work with licensed local guides and set the pace to the traveller; the mountains are requested separately and well in advance.
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Booking & policies
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Rates are net (wholesale) and reserved for travel agencies and tour operators, who sign in to see them and add their own margin. Public visitors see a reference “from” price, indicative and subject to availability; the net rate is never shown outside the B2B Portal.
What happens after I book?
When you book, we receive your booking and start working on it: it shows as “In process” and we let you know of every update. Vouchers are sent once payments have been received.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellations are governed by the conditions stated in each quotation. The standard conditions are: more than 30 days before arrival, the deposit is non-refundable; 30 to 15 days before arrival, 50% of the total price is charged; less than 15 days before arrival or a no-show, 100%. They may vary on peak dates and depend on the policy of each hotel and service. Certain destinations — Patagonia, the Amazon region and high-demand dates in peak season — apply stricter terms, stated in the quotation. Conditions stated in the quotation and accepted by the agency at booking take precedence over the general schedule in Clause 7.1 of the Terms.
Can dates or passenger names be changed after booking?
Amendment requests must reach RUMBO LIBRE at least 72 business hours before the service begins. Changes are managed subject to availability, and any resulting rate difference applies. For private services, a name change may require re-issuing the booking at the current rate.
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