Ticket Type: Machupicchu City

This ticket grants you general access only to the citadel of Machupicchu, with entrance times from 6am until 5pm. You can enter and leave Machupicchu as many times as you want throughout the day. The ticket is valid only for 1 day, and on the date indicated on the ticket.

This ticket does not allow you access to Huayna Picchu Mountain, Machupicchu Mountain (Machupicchu Montaña) or the Machupicchu Museum. With this ticket you have access to the Sun Gate hike and the Inka Bridge hike.

You must provide your original passport along with the printed copy of your electronic ticket every time at the check point. The name on your passport and your OFFICIAL ticket must match.The ticket is non-transferrable and non-refundable.

Machu Picchu Sectors

Machu Picchu sits high above the Vilcabamba Valley on a long narrow mountain ridge. It is split into two sectors of roughly equal size, the Agricultural Sector and the Urban Sector. Limited by the shape of the ridge upon which Machu Picchu is built, the layout of the site is long (north to south) and thin (east to west), measuring 530 by 200 meters (1,739 x 656 feet).

General access to Machu Picchu is via the main entrance (the only entrance), which is located in the lower eastern side of the Agricultural Sector. Although the main attractions of Machu Picchu are spread out across the site, the good concentration of them are found in the Urban Sector.

Although the main attractions of Machu Picchu are spread out across the site, the good concentration of them are found in the Urban Sector.

It is recommended to hire an official Machu Picchu guide. A guided tour should last about 2 ½ hours. You can reserve an official guide on our tour guide page

Llamas

Machu Picchu is the ancient Incan city known for its intriguing architectural and archeological sites and is even one of the New 7 Wonders of the world, but it is also known for its other longtime residents — llamas!

The Guard House

Marking the original entrance to Machu Picchu, the Guardhouse also known as the Caretakers Hut is the perfect spot for panoramic views of the citadel and to take the best photos.

Intihuatana

Intihuatana, a Quechua word meaning “hitching post of the sun,” is an important stone possibly used as a sun dial or for astronomical purposes

Inca Bridge

Linking an original Inca Trail coming from Vilkabamba Choqekirao, the Inca drawbridge is a pleasant 15 minutes hike to the rear of Machu Picchu

Main Temple

The Main Temple is an impressive rectangular-floored building forming part of the Sacred Plaza. Its walls feature trapezoidal niches and stone pegs

Royal Tomb

A small natural cave formed by a large rock, The Royal Tomb has some of the finest masonry at Machu Picchu, and is thought to be the resting place of leaders

Sacred Plaza

A plaza formed by the Main Temple, the Temple of 3 Windows and the Priest’s house – the finest-built structures in Machu Picchu is located in the Urban Sector

Sun Gate

Located high above Machu Picchu, the Sun Gate was thought to have been a military outpost controlling the principle entrance to Machu Picchu

Sacred Rock

Located in the lower urban sector of Machu Picchu, the Sacred Rock (also called Wank’a) is flanked by 2 large shelters and was used for important Inca rituals

Temple of the Sun

The Sun Temple is the only building in Machu Picchu to feature a semi-circular wall. It encloses a large stone alter, probably used for spiritual worship and sacrifice

Temple of the Three Windows

A finely crafted temple situated on Machu Picchu’s Sacred Plaza, featuring three large trapezoidal windows, all of which face the sunrise

The Route to Visit the Attractions

There is essentially one controlled circular route or trail that you follow when visiting Machu Picchu; it is well marked and fairly easy to follow. You can choose to take either the upper-route which runs clockwise around the citadel or the lower-route running anticlockwise. Although a challenging start to your tour of Machu Picchu, the upper route first takes you to the Guardhouse where there are panoramic views of the entire citadel. The Inka Bridge and the Sun Gate are not located within the main Agricultural and Urban Sectors of Machu Picchu. Rather, these 2 attractions are located on the outskirts of the citadel. The Inka Bridge and the Sun Gate can be visited at any time.

HOW TO GET TO MACHU PICCHU

To get to the Machupicchu Archaeological site, first you must get to Aguas Calientes also known as Machupicchu Pueblo, the city closest and at the foot of Machupicchu Mountain and then take a 30-minute bus that will drop you off at the Machupicchu Santuary entrance check point.

You can get to Aguas Calientes, by train only. The train station in Aguas Calientes is called 'Machupicchu Station'. Once you buy your Machupicchu Tickets, you must buy your train tickets. We also recommend that you stay at Aguas Calientes for two nights. Arrive one day before your visit to Machupicchu so that you can take your time visiting Machupicchu and depart Aguas Calientes the day after your visit.

Bus to the entrance of Machupicchu

The bus ticket to the Machupicchu Archaeological site is not included. However, the city of Aguas Calientes also known as Machupicchu Pueblo is so small, that it is very easy to find the location where you can buy your bus tickets.

Buying bus tickets require no prior reservation and the bus ticket office hours are from 05:00 hrs. – 21:00 hrs. You need to present your passport to purchase bus tickets. It is recommended that you buy your bus tickets as soon as you arrive to Aguas Calientes

The first bus leaves from Aguas Calientes at 05:30 hrs arriving at Machupicchu at 06:00 hrs; from this hour the buses depart to Machupicchu when they are full usually every 10 minutes. The last bus from Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu is at 15:30 hrs because the admission to the Inca citadel is only until 16:00 hrs.

What to wear to MACHU PICCHU

If you visit Machupicchu in the rainy season (December to March), you must bring warm and waterproof clothing, rain poncho and good walking shoes. On the other hand, if you visit Machupicchu in dry season (May to September), is important to protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen, sunglasses, hat or brimmed hats and mosquito repellent.

It is important to stay hydrated throughout your visit, bring water in a bottle or a similar container.

Rules inside of MACHU PICCHU

• Entrance is from 06:00 to 15:00 hrs.
• Alcoholic beverages is prohibited.
• Hydrating beverages must be transported in bottles.
• Food consumption within the citadel is prohibited.
• Pets are prohibited.
• Littering is prohibited. There are trash bins only outside
• Smoking is prohibited and obviously campfires.
• Regarding baggage; only small bags and backpacks are allowed with you.
• However if you have much luggage you can leave before entering the citadel in the hold, the use of them implies an extra cost of 3 to 5 soles.
• Climbing, painting or damaging the Inca walls is prohibited.
• You must be responsible of your family, if you bring children take care of them, they should not damage anything
• There are no bathrooms inside. Use the restrooms before entering.
• The use of walking sticks are allowed only for seniors or persons having a disability, the walking sticks should have rubber tip.
• Respect the signs, the Sanctuary has certain areas closed. You must only walk in the authorized areas.