Perched almost 8,000 feet above sea level up in the clouds, the mist swirls around the ruins of Machu Picchu. Upon entering the UNESCO World Heritage Site, you are greeted with panoramic views of the Andes Mountains plunging into the valley below — a sight that will surely take your breath away.

Only a limited number of visitors are allowed into the park each day, so Machu Picchu tickets have to be reserved and purchased in advance. Your ticket allows for either a morning, or an afternoon entry. If you're pressed for time on your trip, it is possible to visit Machu Picchu in one day. You'll take the morning train from Cusco, have reserved an afternoon entry ticket, and then take the late train back to Cusco. The train ride from Cusco to Aguas Calientes (the entry town at the base of Machu Picchu), is a picturesque 3-4 hour ride through the Sacred Valley.

While you can do Machu Picchu in one day, we recommend that you plan to spend at least two days at the ruins. More time will allow you to fully explore all the ruins have to offer without rushing. We spent hours during our first day simply exploring around the ruins and taking in the gorgeous scenery. There are a couple of hikes around the site that are open to anyone and don't require an extra ticket. Those hikes include the Inca Bridge and a hike up to the Sun Gate. We had plenty of time to explore and hike to the old Inca Bridge during our first day. The two hikes that require ADDITIONAL reservations are Mount Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu. Your regular entry ticket does not allow entry to these hikes, so plan ahead if you want to do either of those hikes...which you should!

On our second day, we hired a tour guide to learn about the history and really understand all the areas of the compound that we had explored the day before, like how the Incas built the structures and what everyday life might have been like there. We also reserved tickets to hike Mount Machu Picchu on our second day. Of the two hikes, Huayna Picchu is more strenuous but shorter. We chose to hike Mount Machu Picchu which is a longer hike, but has a higher elevation and boasts views of the ruins and Huayna Picchu below.

If you're planning a trip to visit this wonder of the world, be sure to check out our Cusco Travel Guide. You'll be heading to Machu Picchu from Cusco, so spend some time getting to know this beautiful town either before or after your trek.

Take Heart. Take Flight.

-Travel Patterns Team

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