Featured guide Machu Picchu Tickets: Circuits, Entry Times and How to Buy
How Machu Picchu tickets work: circuits, entry times, mountains, required ID and where to buy them through official channels.
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Cusco & Machu Picchu travel guide
Cusco & Machu Picchu Travel Guide
Tickets, routes, weather, altitude and things to do: practical guides written by a local expert and checked against official sources.
Written byPaul Pumalloclla17 years in tourism - 39guides published
- 30destinations
- 4languages
Site last reviewedOctober 31, 2026
Facts checked with
- Ministry of Culture
- SERNANP
- SENAMHI
- PromPerú
- PeruRail
- Inca Rail
Destinations
Must-see places
The destinations travelers search for most, with altitude, distance from Cusco and how to get there.
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Machu Picchu
What it is, where it is, its elevation, history, what to see and how to plan your visit to the Inca city
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Cusco
The former Inca capital: what it is, elevation, history, getting there, getting around, museums and what to see
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Sacred Valley of the Incas
Where it is, elevation, how to get there from Cusco, what to see in Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Maras and Moray, entrance and best time to go
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Rainbow Mountain
Vinicunca, Cusco’s Rainbow Mountain: where it is, elevation, how to get there, the hike, the entrance fee and the best time to go
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Humantay Lake
The turquoise lake at the foot of snowcapped Humantay: where it is, elevation, how to get there from Cusco, the hike and the best time to go
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Inca Trail
The Inca path on foot to the Sun Gate: permits, the 4- and 2-day routes, elevations, difficulty and the best time to go
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Salkantay
From snowcapped Salkantay to Machu Picchu: the 5-day route, the 4,630 m pass, difficulty, best season and what to bring
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Choquequirao
The Inca “cradle of gold” above the Apurímac canyon: where it is, how to hike there from Cachora, what to see and the status of the cable car
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South Valley of Cusco
Tipón, Pikillacta, Andahuaylillas and the chicharrón and guinea pig route, less than an hour from Cusco
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Raqchi
The Temple of Wiracocha, the Incas’ great roofed hall on the road from Cusco to Puno
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu in 5 steps
The order that avoids surprises: ticket first, then transport, and your backpack last.
- 1 Machu Picchu Tickets Buy your ticket with a date, entry time and route. Read guide →
- 2 Machu Picchu Circuits Choose the circuit or mountain you want to hike. Read guide →
- 3 How to Get to Machu Picchu from Cusco Get to Aguas Calientes by train or via Hidroeléctrica. Read guide →
- 4 Bus to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes Ride the bus or walk up to the citadel. Read guide →
- 5 What Not to Bring to Machu Picchu Pack your bag according to the entry rules. Read guide →
Best time to visit
When to visit Cusco
Pick the month of your trip and we’ll tell you what to expect.
Rainy season
January
Frequent afternoon rain. Fewer travelers and very green landscapes.
See Cusco weather month by month → Rainy season
February
Heavy rain almost daily. The Inca Trail closes all February for maintenance.
See Cusco weather month by month → Rainy season
March
Rain continues but eases toward the end of the month. Good prices.
See Cusco weather month by month → Good time
April
The rains end: green valleys and fewer crowds than in high season.
See Cusco weather month by month → Dry season
June
Dry and cold. Inti Raymi is on June 24, so book months ahead.
See Cusco weather month by month → Dry season
July
Peak season and the busiest month. Book tickets and trains early.
See Cusco weather month by month → Dry season
August
Dry and sunny with frosty nights. High demand at Machu Picchu.
See Cusco weather month by month → Dry season
September
The last dry weeks, slightly less busy. A great month for trekking.
See Cusco weather month by month → Good time
October
Mild weather and the first scattered showers. Good value for the weather.
See Cusco weather month by month → Good time
November
Afternoon rains begin. Sunny mornings and fewer crowds.
See Cusco weather month by month → Rainy season
December
Rain and year-end festivities, like the Santurantikuy market on December 24.
See Cusco weather month by month →- Dry season
- Good time
- Rainy season
Destinations
Explore by area
Each area with its towns, archaeological sites and mountains.
Cusco
The former Inca capital: what it is, elevation, history, getting there, getting around, museums and what to see
San Blas Neighborhood
The artisans’ quarter: the square, the church with its carved pulpit, workshops and the viewpoint
Qorikancha
The Inca Temple of the Sun beneath the Convent of Santo Domingo: history, what to see inside, entrance fee and hours
Sacsayhuamán
The Inca fortress of giant walls above Cusco: history, what to see, admission and how to get there
Tambomachay and Puka Pukara
The Bath of the Inca, with fountains that still flow, and Puka Pukara, the red fortress
Sacred Valley of the Incas
Where it is, elevation, how to get there from Cusco, what to see in Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Maras and Moray, entrance and best time to go
Pisac
The archaeological park and its sectors, market, elevation, opening hours, how to get there from Cusco and entrance fee
Ollantaytambo
Archaeological site, Inca town, elevation, how to get there from Cusco, train station and entrance fee
Chinchero
Archaeological site, colonial church, museum, textiles and Sunday market: elevation, how to get there, hours, entrance fee and the Urquillos hike
Maras and Moray
The circular terraces of Moray and the Maras Salt Mines: where they are, elevation, how to get there from Cusco and entrance fees
Rainbow Mountain
Vinicunca, Cusco’s Rainbow Mountain: where it is, elevation, how to get there, the hike, the entrance fee and the best time to go
Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain
Cusco’s other rainbow mountain: three striped peaks, a stone forest and a short walk at about 4,900 m
Humantay Lake
The turquoise lake at the foot of snowcapped Humantay: where it is, elevation, how to get there from Cusco, the hike and the best time to go
Ausangate
Cusco’s highest snowcapped peak: where it is, elevation, the 7 Lakes, the multi-day trek and Qoyllur Rit’i
South Valley of Cusco
Tipón, Pikillacta, Andahuaylillas and the chicharrón and guinea pig route, less than an hour from Cusco
Tipón
Inca terraces, channels and fountains that still work, 40 minutes from Cusco
Raqchi
The Temple of Wiracocha, the Incas’ great roofed hall on the road from Cusco to Puno
Q’eswachaka Bridge
The last Inca suspension bridge, rewoven every June by the communities of Quehue
Waqrapukara
The “horn-shaped fortress”: a high-mountain Inca and Canchi sanctuary in Acomayo
Recently updated
All guides Essential guides for your trip
We review the guides whenever fares, schedules or rules change. These are the latest.
Who writes these guides A guide written from Cusco
Paul Pumalloclla · Tourism marketing specialist · CEO of Cusco Creativos
Paul Pumalloclla has worked in tourism since 2009 and, since 2015, in digital marketing for Cusco’s travel industry. He led SEO projects for Cusco tour companies and in 2021 founded Cusco Creativos, an agency that builds websites and search strategies for travel agencies, tour operators and hotels.
- 17years in tourism
- 39guides published
- 4languages
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Local expert
Paul Pumalloclla lives in Cusco and has worked in tourism since 2009.
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Official sources
Prices, hours and rules checked with Peru’s Ministry of Culture, SERNANP, PeruRail and other sources, cited in every guide.
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Facts before sales
We’re not a travel agency and don’t sell tours: our recommendations come from local experience and checked sources.
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Always up to date
We update each guide when visitor caps, circuits or fares change, and show the date.
The Cusco guide written from Cusco
Everything you need to plan your trip to Cusco and Machu Picchu: how to buy Machu Picchu tickets, how to get there, the weather to expect each month, how to avoid altitude sickness and what to see in the city, the Sacred Valley and the high Andes.
We’re not a travel agency and we don’t sell tours: every guide is written and reviewed by Paul Pumalloclla, who lives in Cusco and has worked in tourism since 2009, with facts checked against official sources and the date of the last update.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need in Cusco?
Five days is ideal: two to acclimatize between the city and the Sacred Valley, one for Machu Picchu and one or two for a high-altitude day trip. Three days cover the essentials; our itinerary guide has a day-by-day plan.
How far ahead should I buy Machu Picchu tickets?
For May to October, buy one to three months ahead; for Huayna Picchu or the Inca Trail, even earlier. Official sales are on the Ministry of Culture’s website.
When is the best time to visit Cusco?
May to September, the dry season, with clear skies and cold nights. April, October and November are good, quieter months; from December to March it rains almost daily and the Inca Trail closes in February.
Keep planning your Cusco trip
Tickets, routes, weather, altitude and budget: all checked against official sources and updated every season.