Is Machu Picchu worth visiting?
Is it worth visiting Machu Picchu when in Peru?
There’s no place quite like Machu Picchu. Nestled between the Andes and upper Amazon basin, this site is known for its incredible sweeping views, and is a must-visit in Peru.
Getting here is also half the adventure too, where you’ll either need to hike or join an unforgettable multi-day excursion to reach the sacred site.
In this article we’ll list the seven best reasons to visit Machu Picchu, as well as cover any other important information you’ll need to know.
Is Machu Picchu worth visiting?
Quick Answer: No trip to Peru is worth skipping this legendary site, no matter how little time you allocate to the country. Although it’s not the easiest to visit, that’s part of the fun.
Many of the other ruins in the Andes are easily accessible by a simple bus ride there and back. However you need to earn your visit to Machu Picchu, and this only builds the anticipation for when you finally reach the ruins.
Despite being quite touristy nowadays, this is still (and in my opinion will always) be overshadowed by the scenery and history of the site.
When heading with this organized excursion from Cusco you can learn about the importance of this ancient citadel, as well as why this one in particular was so important for the Incas.
Where is Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu is located within the lower Andes, close to the town of Aguascalientes (the uphill walk from town takes around 2 hours).
Given the lower altitude of Machu Picchu compared to similar sites around the Andes, here we’ll have both towering mountains as well as some beautiful jungle foliage.
Cusco is the closest major city to Machu Picchu, which takes around 4-6 hours to arrive from (depending on what option you chose).
Lima is really far away as it’s located on the coast, and you’ll first need to head to Cusco first (either with the 1 hour flight or 22 hour bus ride) before beginning your expedition.
How to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco?
There’s various ways of getting to Machu Picchu from this popular Andean city. All routes will end in Aguascalientes, from which you can stay the night before heading up to the site.
The first (and most popular way) is to head by minibuses from Cusco until you reach the train track (whilst the luxury train is nice, it can be quite expensive and is not mandatory).
Instead you can begin your adventure by walking along the tracks, enjoying all of the natural sceneries which are laid-out before you.
Lastly we have the longer treks such as the legendary Inca Trail. Here you’ll spend various days hiking through the mountains and sleeping in tents, whilst living a truly unforgettable experience. We recommend joining this organized trek, where you’ll have all food, accommodation and hiking equipment included.
Just to note there’s also other multi-day treks (such as the Salkantay Trek) which are worth considering.
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7 Reasons to Visit Machu Picchu
Are you still wondering if Machu Picchu is really worth the visit? Here’s 7 awesome reasons why you should head to this incredible ancient site.
1. Get Deeper into the Inca Culture
We have to agree with what most travelers say on this one – that Cusco (and the surrounding Sacred Valley region) has something really special going for it.
A combination of both good energy and deep history, it’s the best place for learning about the ancient civilisations that once ruled these lands.
Whilst you’ll find many great sites such as Sacsayhuamán and Moray, the ruins of Machu Picchu of course remain the most epic. Built in the early 15th century, this site was actually built as a place of luxury for the elite, although many believe it also was used for spiritual enlightenment (hard to disagree given the atmosphere and feeling you’ll have when here).
Whilst walking around you’ll see many examples of different houses and how they were built, as well as a variety of temples. When heading with a day tour, you’ll have an incredible guide on-hand to also teach you more things about this epic sight.
The reason Machu Picchu was finally abandoned still remains a mystery to this day.
2. Take Advantage by Getting to Know nearby Aguascalientes better
This small town is the bridge between Cusco and Machu Picchu, and virtually all travelers will visit it along the way (most likely staying the night too).
Whilst it of course feels touristy in parts, there’s actually a lot going for Aguascalientes so we recommend spending a full day here to enjoy the very best highlights. Firstly (and most importantly), Aguascalientes is home to various hot springs, which are perfect for relaxing tired muscles and overall fatigue from your adventure in getting here.
Those who love nature will want to go hiking to the nearby Mariposario, where you’ll be surrounded by many bright and colorful butterflies. This along with the epic green landscapes you’ll see along the way are pretty memorable to say the least.
Los Jardines de Mandor is another nice half-day trip where you can go swimming in wild waterfalls (and maybe even see The Cock of the Rock – the National bird of Peru).
3. Enjoy the Views over the Ancient Citadel
Machu Picchu by far makes the top 5 list of the most impressive ruins we have seen in Latin America.
Even though it’s become super touristy nowadays, all go quiet when catching that first glimpse of the ruins when walking out over the highest mirador.
There’s quite a lot to see here, so it’s best to be organized or else you can get lost without really knowing or learning about what you’re seeing.
If you’re in a rush then it’s best to head with this organized day tour from Cusco, where everything will be planned in an efficient manner.
You’ll also have your bilingual guide ready to teach you everything you need to know about the site, which can otherwise be difficult if trotting around by yourself. I (George) made this mistake and 100% recommend having that tour guide with you!
If visiting independently then you get the benefit of visiting whenever you feel like it. Heading in the early morning is best whilst everyone else is still resting!
4. Get a Break from the more demanding conditions of the Sacred Valley
If we had to list the biggest surprise that affects most travelers heading to Peru, it’s by far the altitude.
Here we can find everything from sea-level cities to mountains that spiral close to 7000m. Unfortunately this can often cause altitude sickness problems, which can have a big impact on your experience when traveling through Peru (and much of South America too).
The city of Cusco is located at an elevation of 3399m, which often causes tiredness and some headaches. The Sacred Valley is even higher, ranging from 3500 to 5000 meters above sea-level.
Now when heading to Machu Picchu, you’ll be delightfully surprised to learn that it’s located at just 2430m, which is much easier for walking around.
This along with the greener vegetation makes it more enjoyable as you won’t be dealing with soroche (the local Peruvian word for altitude sickness). Again, this is another reason to spend more time in Aguascalientes where you can properly wind-down and relax.
5. Hike up to nearby Huayna Picchu
Not to be confused with Huayna Potosí (which is located in La Paz in Bolivia), Huayna Picchu is the true ultimate lookout-point over Machu Picchu.
This separate mountain stands at a higher altitude of 2693m, which offers us a better panoramic view of the ruins.
The hike up is definitely more demanding, where you’ll follow the stone steps all the way up until you reach the top (the hike takes just under 2 hours).
Be sure to bring lots of water, and also lighter clothing as it can get surprisingly warm (remember we’re close to the jungle here, so you don’t want to overheat unnecessarily).
This route is definitely less touristy compared to the traditional Machu Picchu path, meaning it will be quieter. This makes it easier to spot nature, where you can see everything from Vizcachas and Lizards to the elusive Spectacled Bear. Of course you can also count on seeing a friendly Alpaca or two along the way!
Be sure to invest in a high quality pair of hiking boots before ascending – your feet can thank us later! We highly recommend this pair for men as well as this pair for women.
6. Enjoy a memorable adventure along The Inca Trail
Whilst more expensive (both financially and physically) than a standard tour to Machu Picchu, this is the true ultimate experience to have in The Sacred Valley.
Whether you’re a hiking enthusiast, long-term adventurer or simply want a new challenge, then this is the one to do.
Here you’ll spend multiple days hiking amongst some of the most incredible mountain sceneries in the country (such as those of Runkurakay) as well as other important Incan Ruins like those of Llactapata and Sayacmarca.
We highly recommend joining this highly-rated and reputable expedition. Here you’ll have all food and lodging provided, as well as the entrance tickets to Machu Picchu and other sites you’ll see along the way.
Just remember to book your spot urgently as they sell out fast. It’s also important to remember that the Inca Trail only allows a limited number of travelers on the route at any one time (just 500 a day).
7. Get that Picture-Perfect Snap
Let’s be honest – getting a photo in front of Machu Picchu has to be one of the most sought-after Latin America Bucket List experiences you can have!
So if you’re heading there soon, then why not go all-in with it?
Before your hike there you can find several markets in Cusco (the San Blas area is best, and also the market just outside the ruins of Ollantaytambo). Here you can pick up your very own colorful poncho for a really good price.
If you want to go further, then a chullo (a traditional Peruvian hat) is also good as it will keep your head warm, as well as other alpaca garments like a jumper and socks.
Again remember that it’s best to head up to Machu Picchu in the early morning, as this will be the least busy time. Although there’ll still be tourists taking their turns for that epic snap, it will be much less frantic and busy than later on in the day. You’ll also get a memorable sunrise too which really can’t be beat!
Is Machu Picchu worth visiting?
And that’s all for our guide on why you should visit Machu Picchu.
One of the original Seven Wonders of the World, this site is one of the most impressive that you can visit in all of South America (let alone just Peru).
From learning about ancient traditions to chilling with an alpaca on-site, you’ll find that there’s much more to Machu Picchu than just its famed views.
Be sure to read our Hiking Machu Picchu guide, where you’ll learn everything you need to know about the journey there (and how to best prepare).
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