Useful Data about Machu Picchu

Useful data

What to bring to Machu Picchu?

This point is essential:

  • Don't forget your passport! You will not be able to enter without it. It is as if you are crossing the border of time.
  • Do not forget to take the entrance to Machu Picchu!.
  • Some money to go to the bathroom before entering Machu Picchu (2 sols).
  • The camera and lot of sd cards. You do not want to run out of photos of Machu Picchu !.
  • Good slippers of walking or trekking boots.
  • Sunglasses and sunscreen.
  • Umbrella or raincoat (if you see the threatening sky).

What not to take to Machu Picchu?

  • Trípode para la cámara. Están prohibidos.
  • Professional camera. We didn't have a problem with that, but if you have a good camera, make it look as unprofessional as possible. You will save the 300 USD that the license costs to be able to take professional photos
  • A large backpack. You can take a small backpack for the road, but none of the large backpackers.
  • Walking sticks. You will not be able to carry them even if the skewers are covered with rubber.
  • Large umbrella.

When to go to Machu Picchu?

Choosing when to visit Machu Picchu is not so easy. Basically, in Peru there are two seasons: the wet and the dry.

The dry season runs from May to October. During this time you will have a more pleasant visit in terms of the time you will find, but it is also true that you will have to share your experience with many more people and it will be more expensive (accommodation, guides, trekking, etc.).

November to April (the rainy season), the prices are lower and there are fewer people, but sometimes there are landslides caused by the rains that hinder the visit. In February, in addition, the Inca Trail is closed for maintenance (although you can visit Machu Picchu).

Health in Machu Picchu

The issue of altitude sickness is not nonsense, especially if you are going to reach Machu Picchu doing one of the trekkings.

The most normal thing is that your body is not used to walking at these altitudes and you will need to acclimatize for two or three days before leaving. The ideal is to do it in Cuzco (at 3,400 masl), a beautiful city with a lot of life and life.

Don't walk too fast and don't get too tired. Hydrate and drink the famous coca teas.

NOTE

  • Do not confuse Machu Picchu with Machu Picchu Pueblo also known as Aguas Calientes since although they are quite close it is not the same place.
  • Before entering Machu Picchu there are toilets, we recommend using them before starting your journey, since you will realize that once you enter you will not get toilets. The bathroom has a cost of 2 soles per person.
  • At the end of the tour or even before starting it you will have the privilege of stamping your passport with the tourist stamp of Machu Picchu as proof that you were there, however we recommend that you carry an expired passport (or that you do not use) so that you can stamp this Incredible stamp as you will ruin your current passport and you may have trouble using it since the passport is an official government document and can only be arrived for official purposes so an unofficial stamp could in theory void your passport.