Yes, Machu Picchu is worth visiting, even with the new entry rules. Machu Picchu is an ancient Incan citadel nestled high in the Peruvian Andes. Known for its awe-inspiring views and impressive engineering and architecture.
With its terraced construction, intricate architecture and century-old significance, this historical and wondrous place is now considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World, making our list of the 50 most beautiful places in the world.
If you’re planning a trip to Peru in the coming months, set aside at least a few days to explore Machu Picchu and the surrounding area. AAA’s Peruvian vacation packages can help you plan and discover Peru’s most important places while exploring Peruvian culture.
Top Reasons to Visit Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu isn’t just simply a destination. This ancient citadel feels like it was carved straight from the clouds, filled with mystery and wonder. The journey there is part of the magic: winding trains through lush valleys, misty mountain trails and that first breathtaking glimpse of stone terraces clinging to the cliffs. It’s a place that speaks to adventurers, dreamers and history lovers alike.
So, is Machu Picchu worth visiting? If you crave wonder, mystery and a little altitude with your awe, Machu Picchu might be a place to add to your bucket list.
Here are some of our top reasons to add Machu Picchu to your travel itinerary:
1. Join a Day-Tour to Machu Picchu
Many visit Machu Picchu by taking day trips from Cusco, a nearby city or by booking private tours with experienced guides. Some people take tours from Aguas Calientes, the closest town.
Guided tours typically include a knowledgeable guide, transportation to and from Machu Picchu and a complimentary meal.
Machu Picchu is very popular, so tours fill up quickly. Make sure to book your tour months in advance to get the day, time and tour you prefer.
2. Enjoy a Day at Agua Calientes
Aguas Calientes is a small town near Machu Picchu. Many people who come to Machu Picchu stay overnight at Aguas Calientes, then hike or ride the bus to Machu Picchu in the morning.
Until a few years ago, Aguas Calientes was barely a stop on the way to Machu Picchu. Recently, its proximity to the site has made it a popular place for people to stay. Today, it is filled with restaurants, hotels and more. People who stay at least one night in Aguas Calientes have the opportunity to enjoy the hot springs, shop at the handicraft market, visit a butterfly farm and bear conservation center, see the Machu Picchu site museum and more.
3. Walk the Inca Trail
The Inca Trail is a hiking trail that leads to Machu Picchu. The trail is approximately 24 miles long and takes about four or five days to complete. Although the hiking trail is not dangerous when compared to many other mountain hikes, the terrain can be difficult and the air is thin. People hiking the trail should be experienced with rougher terrain and acclimated to the high altitude.
Those who would like to get a flavor of the Inca Trail without spending four to five days in the wilderness can opt to hike a part of the trail with a tour guide. Be aware that the Peruvian government limits how many people can hike the Inca Trail at once, so if this hike is important to you, make your reservations well in advance.
4. Tour the Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley is the land situated halfway between the city of Cusco and Machu Picchu. While Machu Picchu gets a lot of attention from tourists, the Sacred Valley is also worth a trip. Sign up for a Sacred Valley tour to explore archaeological sites like the agricultural Terraces of Moray and the imposing fortress of Ollantaytambo, visit the salt mines by ATV, dine with locals and learn traditional weaving techniques.
If you have extra time, the Sacred Valley makes a natural jumping-off point for a broader look at South America’s top vacations.
5. Take a Peruvian Cooking Class
Peruvian cuisine is renowned for dishes like ceviche and lomo saltado, built on native ingredients such as aji peppers, quinoa and purple corn. If you’re looking to elevate your culinary skills, why not immerse yourself in a hands-on Peruvian cooking class led by a professional chef during your vacation?
This experience includes touring a local market, learning about indigenous food products, crafting traditional cocktails like the iconic Pisco and sampling exotic Peruvian fruits.
6. Visit Rainbow Mountain
Fourteen shades of mineral color streak down the Rainbow Mountain, which you can only see on a guided tour. During your Rainbow Mountain tour, you’ll be treated to awe-inspiring panoramic views, numerous photo opportunities and the chance to spot alpacas, llamas and wild vicuñas grazing along the trail.
7. Learn How to Make Chocolate
Participating in a chocolate workshop is a fun, hands-on activity, especially if you love chocolate. During this two-hour workshop at the ChocoMuseo in Cusco, you’ll learn every step of the chocolate-making process, starting from the cocoa tree.
You’ll also learn more about the history of chocolate and discover why Peru is famous for its fine chocolates. When you’re done, you’ll have homemade chocolate to take with you.
8. Go Horseback Riding
Few ways capture Peru's dramatic landscapes better than on horseback. While tours may vary, some offer panoramic views of Cusco, archaeological sites like the Temple of the Moon, Chacan mountain trekking and expert insights from a knowledgeable guide, all while riding a horse.
9. Tour Cusco
Not far from Machu Picchu is the city of Cusco, once the capital of the Incan empire. Today, it’s known for its beautiful churches, storied museums and narrow cobbled streets.
Cusco is also near many Incan ruins in the surrounding hills and Spanish colonial buildings still rise on original Incan stone walls throughout downtown, including the famous twelve-angled stone just steps from the main square.
This vibrant city is known for its historical significance, cultural festivals and markets. The best way to see it is on a tour with an experienced guide who can share more about the city and its culture.
10. Visit Humantay Lake
One of the most important lakes in Incan mythology is Humantay Lake. Known for its turquoise color, Humantay Lake gets its unusual hue from the glacier above. As the water runs off the glacier, it collects minerals that reflect a bright blue/green color. On the right day, Humantay Lake almost looks like the Caribbean Sea.
11. Shop at the Market
There are many shopping opportunities in Cusco, including the Pisac Market, which is one of the most famous markets in the area. People from the indigenous Quechua community sell produce here, while other merchants sell jewelry, ponchos, hats, souvenirs, alpaca products and gifts.
Not far from the main square in Cusco is the San Pedro Market, where you can shop for meats, cheeses, fresh produce, chocolate, bread, vegetables, flowers and more. Both markets are excellent places to buy authentic Peruvian wares.
12. See the Animals at Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary
Rescued from illicit wildlife trafficking, the animals at Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary will never be re-released into the wild, as they often arrive injured in ways that would make them easy prey, even after recovery.
Instead, they live out their lives cared for at the sanctuary, where visitors can see them up close and learn about the conservation work that protects them. Cochahuasi is an excellent place for animal lovers and families.
13. See the Museums
Cusco is home to several museums, including the Inca Museum, where you can view a collection of mummies, tools, weapons and more. If you’re an art lover, the Pre-Columbian Museum has art from the Inca Empire on display.
The museum’s collection spans 3,000 years of Peruvian history, featuring ceramics, gold jewelry and wood carvings from cultures such as the Nazca, Moche and Chimu.
14. See the Stars at Planetarium Cusco
The Andes Mountains are one of the best places in the world for stargazing, thanks to the high altitude and clear, dark skies away from city lights. Planetarium Cusco takes advantage of that by hosting its stargazing tours at a private site up in the mountains. The planetarium staff provides round-trip transportation to the stargazing site.
How to Get to Machu Picchu
Getting to Machu Picchu can be difficult, but the destination is well worth the journey. Most international flights land in Lima first, where you can spend time before connecting on a domestic flight to Cusco. Although Aguas Calientes is connected to Machu Picchu by a road up the mountain, there are no roads connecting Aguas Calientes to Cusco.
That means the only way to reach Machu Picchu is to take a train to Aguas Calientes or to hike the Inca Trail. Here are some tips on how to make your journey to Machu Picchu:
- Train/Bus to Machu Picchu: PeruRail offers a budget option (Expedition) and an upgrade (Vistadome) and there is a luxury train as well (Hiram Bingham). After taking the train to Aguas Calientes, you'll still need to take a shuttle to Machu Picchu or hike up on the Inca trail. The train from Cusco to Machu Picchu is approximately 3 hours and 6 hours round-trip. Trains have luggage restrictions, but many hotels in Cusco offer luggage storage options for guests. Once you reach Aguas Calientes, you'll walk to the bus stop at Aguas Calientes. The road up the mountain follows a zigzag pattern that takes approximately 20 minutes to reach Machu Picchu. If you pay for a tour of Machu Picchu, transportation will likely be included. Find out what your ticket includes before purchasing any transportation tickets.
- Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: The full Inca trail can be completed in four to five days, but the two-day Inca trail option is available for people who want to experience the trail without taking the full length of time. The Inca trail does require you to be physically fit and travelers will need to climb many stairs to reach Machu Picchu. After arriving at Machu Picchu, you can return to Cusco via train.
- Renting a Car: There is no way to take a personal rental vehicle to Machu Picchu and the streets of Cusco are very bumpy. Cusco is somewhat walkable and taxi transportation is inexpensive. For many people, car rental in Peru is not worthwhile.
Machu Picchu Circuits: What to Know Before You Book
As of 2026, Machu Picchu splits visitors into three main circuits with color-coded sub-routes, so you follow a fixed path through the site instead of wandering freely. A guide is now mandatory for entry and Peru’s park authority releases tickets on a staggered monthly calendar. Plan to book at least 60 days ahead to get the circuit and time slot you want.
Each ticket includes a specific entry time and a roughly 30-minute grace period; once you leave the site, re-entry isn’t allowed. Build your day around your assigned time slot rather than planning to step out and come back.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu experiences warm days and cooler nights. The area has two seasons—rainy and dry—instead of the typical four. During the rainy season from November to March, tourism slows down and prices are often lower. The trade-off at this time of year is the unpredictable wet weather. Bring rain gear and plan accordingly.
The dry season is from April to October, with peak tourism seasons occurring during June, July and August. Peru is a great place to escape the winter chill, so hotels often fill up during this season, entry tickets sell out quickly and tours book up. Prices can be high this time of year, but the weather is very accommodating.
Whenever you go, consider adding extra days to your trip to fit in other bucket-list destinations nearby.
FAQs About Machu Picchu
Have some questions about a visit to Machu Picchu? AAA has answers to ease your mind. Here are some of the most FAQs about visiting this unique place:
What should I bring to Machu Picchu?
You’ll need your passport and entry ticket to get into Machu Picchu. The site only allows small backpacks. Bring water, layers of clothing, sunscreen and comfortable hiking boots.
Leave large bags, alcohol and metal-tipped canes at home; the site won’t let you bring them in. If you have a baby, use a backpack-style carrier, as strollers aren’t practical.
Is Machu Picchu safe?
Machu Picchu is a historical site with no permanent population, so there’s very little or no crime in Machu Picchu. Aguas Calientes isn’t known for its crime. Pickpocketing and other minor crimes can occur on trains, so watch your bags and don’t leave valuable items unattended.
Is altitude sickness a problem at Machu Picchu?
Altitude sickness is a condition that happens when the body struggles to cope with reduced oxygen at high altitudes. Since Machu Picchu is approximately 7,970 feet above sea level, people can experience altitude sickness in both Machu Picchu and Cusco.
Symptoms vary but may include cough, fatigue, nausea, headache, loss of appetite and difficulty sleeping. Watch for these symptoms of altitude sickness and talk to your doctor before your trip so you know what to do. While altitude sickness does go away for some people after a few days, in some cases it can be a medical emergency.
Is a guide required at Machu Picchu?
As of 2026, a guide is mandatory for all visitors to Machu Picchu. You can book a guide in advance as part of a tour or hire one at the entrance on the day of your visit. Having a guide enhances the experience by offering historical and cultural insights that deepen your appreciation of the site, so this rule works in most first-time visitors’ favor.
How much time should I spend in Machu Picchu?
Each circuit now caps how long you can stay inside Machu Picchu, generally two to four hours, depending on the route you choose. Most people visit Machu Picchu for one day, spend one or two days in Cusco and visit the Sacred Valley for a day.
If you choose to stay overnight in Aguas Calientes, you’ll be able to take a more relaxed tour of Machu Picchu and can travel back to Cusco the next day.
Why You Should Visit Machu Picchu With AAA
Machu Picchu rewards the planning it takes to get there and a AAA Travel Agent can help you build a trip around it, from flights and hotels to guided tours of the Sacred Valley and beyond.
For a deeper look at the continent, an AAA Travel Agent can help you plan beyond Peru, too, into South America’s riches. Plus, if you’re a AAA Member, you can visit Machu Picchu more affordably by taking advantage of discounts on rental cars, hotels and more.