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Machu Pichu Peru

Machu Picchu Tours

Top Machu Picchu Tours

The Inca Trail

Machu Picchu
8 Days from USD 2,700

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Follow in the footsteps of the Peruvian Incas

Walking & Trekking
New

Essential Inca Trail

Machu Picchu
7 Days from USD 1,710

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Join our express trip to the once-lost Inca city of Machu Picchu: fewer days, the same New Wonder of the World

Walking & Trekking

Essential Peru

Plaza de Armas, Cuzco, Peru
15 Days from USD 3,592
USD 3,520

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Southern Peru's archaeological and natural wonders

Culture

Essential Peru – Inti Raymi Festival Departure

APDA
16 Days from USD 4,645

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Wonders of southern Peru and attend a festival in Cuzco

Culture

Inca Trail, Titicaca & Nazca

Lake Titicaca
15 Days from USD 4,500

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Peru's deserts and high Andes and follow a classic trekking route

Walking & Trekking

Inca Trail & the Amazon Rainforest

TPJ
15 Days from USD 5,998
USD 5,625

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Trekking, jungle and indigenous culture – the best Peru has to offer

Walking & Trekking

The Inca Trail in Comfort

Machu Picchu
8 Days from USD 3,898
USD 3,675

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Follow in the footsteps of the Peruvian Incas in extra comfort

Walking & Trekking

The Salkantay Trek

TPS
14 Days from USD 4,048
USD 3,855

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Peru's Cordillera Vilcabamba, join the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Walking & Trekking

Peru Explorer

APX
20 Days from USD 7,348
USD 6,915

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

A discovery of southern Peru from the Andes to the Amazon

Culture

I booked The Inca Trail with extensions to the Amazon and Lake Titicaca, my only regret, not having done it sooner in my life!

Melissa Morris The Inca Trail

I spent the last year trying to decide what I wanted to do for my 50th birthday. I wanted to go someplace “different” and nothing lit a spark. I thought it might be fun to do Galapagos and Machu Picchu and I happened up on Exodus Travels while trying to find that exact trip, but after stumbling upon the Premium Peru itinerary I was hit with that spark I was looking for. This was a last-minute decision for us as we booked barely two months before departure and the Exodus folks and website were so easy to work. I was able to book it in a snap. The trip was perfectly planned with great hotels, food, transportation and experiences. We were spoiled from Day 1. We didn’t have to worry about anything other than making sure we didn’t leave anything behind, that our water bottles were filled, and we were on time for our next day’s adventure. From the ocean to the mountains to the rainforest, we saw and learned about the rich history and culture of the Peruvian land and peoples. The itinerary was filled with fascinating stops, such as Arequipa, Lake Titicaca and Pun, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu, the rain forest. We learned about the ancient peoples and how their traditions continue today despite the European influences that have taken hold since the 1600s. The Peruvian culture is a beautiful blend of both. William, our phenomenal group leader, imbued us with his vast knowledge of the ancient and modern cultures all while ensuring our trip was all we had hoped for.

Kelly Ann Markowitz Best of Peru – Premium Adventure

Just to reaffirm how much we enjoyed it. We have so many wonderful memories!

David M Best of Peru – Premium Adventure

Our Guide to Machu Picchu

The Secret City

What makes holidays to Machu Picchu so compelling, annually drawing countless tourists here, is that it stood forgotten for centuries until Hiram Bingham brought it to the world’s attention in 1911. The Incas kept the secret of its existence closely guarded from the 16th-century Spanish invaders and no written records of it exist. To this day, nobody knows why it was built.

Theories abound. Machu Picchu is thought to have been constructed perhaps as a site of astronomical significance, an observatory, an important agricultural station, a military fortress, a place of learning, an important ceremonial centre, a royal Inca retreat, or perhaps just to celebrate the unspeakable greatness of the natural beauty around it. It certainly achieves the final aim.

The site was only inhabited for approximately 100 years before being abandoned. There is no evidence that the Spanish ever reached Machu Picchu, and it is not known what prompted the inhabitants to leave the city. There are still lots of mysteries surrounding one of the new seven wonders of the world, but archaeological research continues in search of answers

The Inca Trail and Sun Gate

While it is possible to reach Machu Picchu by train, most adventure travellers strive to reach these dizzy heights with the power of their own two feet on the Inca Trail. Once you’ve scaled Dead Woman’s Pass, pushed yourself to your limits on the ancient Inca pathways, passed through the mystic cloud forest, and countless Inca ruins en route, you’ll be rewarded at the Sun Gate – Intipunku – by the panorama of Machu Picchu before you. Truly one of the world’s most thrilling viewpoints and the only way to see Machu Picchu in its full glory.

Inside Machu Picchu

Those hiking to Machu Picchu along the Inca Trail will get their first glimpse of the ruins at the Sun Gate. However, the ancient main entrance is closer to the citadel, where most of the buildings and other points of interest are located. It’s worth taking a closer look at the stones during your Machu Picchu tour to appreciate the exquisite technique of Incan masonry. You’ll see that all rocks have been precisely cut to fit one another without the use of mortar, so the walls would stay up like a giant 3D jigsaw puzzle.

One of the best places to see this is the Principal Temple – the largest building in the entire Machu Picchu citadel – facing the main plaza. Another is the Torreon or Temple of the Sun, an elliptical-shaped tower once used for astronomical observations. It is believed to be a sacred place where only high priests and dignitaries were allowed to enter.

Inside the temple, there is a rock, which was probably used as an altar. During the summer solstice, the sunrise shines through the temple window on the rock. This is only one of many places you’ll discover on your Machu Picchu holiday that was built following the movements of the sun and the stars. This provides further evidence of the Inca’s advanced knowledge of astronomy.

The most mysterious location you’ll come across on a Machu Picchu trip is probably Intihuatana, a huge carved slab of rock found on the highest point of the citadel. Intihuatana means “the sun’s hitching post” and it’s believed that the Inca thought the stone kept the sun in its place in the sky. The rock casts no shadow at all during the two equinoxes. It was probably used as a location for sun-worshipping ceremonies and to give thanks for good harvests, but not much else is known about its purpose.

Other fascinating places to visit on your Machu Picchu holiday include the Caretaker’s Hut, which is where you can get the iconic Machu Picchu shot found on postcards, the Temple of the Condor, with a giant bird carved outside, and the agricultural terraces. The latter is the reason this isolated city – located at high altitude and surrounded by mountains on all sides – was self-sufficient and even exported food to other locations within the Inca Empire.

Endangered Machu Picchu

Can ancient monuments like Machu Picchu sustain the impact of 21st-century tourism? It’s a troubling question, especially as scientists have already discovered landslide-threatening subsidence on its western side, while UNESCO has called for restrictions on the number of visitors taking Machu Picchu tours in recent years. 

Currently, the international community is keeping a watchful eye on the situation and the Inca Trail already operates responsible tourism policies with restrictions on numbers, licensed local guides, organised porter welfare, and eco-camping regulations.

We’ll always try to create the most sustainable Machu Picchu tours, so book with us today. You’ll have peace of mind that you’re not contributing to the issue when travelling to this unforgettable location.

Machu Picchu holidays FAQs

What are the best months to visit Machu Picchu?

If you want to get the iconic Machu Picchu photo of the archaeological site surrounded by wispy clouds set against a clear blue sky, visit during the dry season between May and October. Do be aware that early morning mist and unexpected downpours are likely to happen no matter what time of year you choose to travel!

The months of June, July, and August are also the busiest in terms of mass tourism. During these peak times, it may be difficult to freely move around the ruins on your Machu Picchu holiday. There are likely to be lines everywhere – on the way to Huayna Picchu, to access the best places for photos of Machu Picchu, and for the bathroom!

April, May, September, and October are all good shoulder season months. During this time, you’ll find smaller crowds and dry, pleasant weather, with warm days and cool nights, making these months some of the best to go on a Machu Picchu adventure holiday.

How long is the flight to Machu Picchu?

A flight from the UK to Cuzco, the nearest international airport to Machu Picchu, takes anything from 18 to 24 hours, including transfers. From Cuzco, you take a coach, train, or taxi to Machu Picchu. Don’t worry, though, as we can organise your travel plans when you book one of our Machu Picchu holidays, with flights included, to make the journey as straightforward as possible.

What to wear in Machu Picchu?

Lightweight layers are your friend when climbing Machu Picchu. The weather can change in a heartbeat, so having lightweight clothes you can remove or put on quickly is essential. You’ll need waterproof clothing and footwear too as you won’t want the extra weight of wet clothes slowing you down. Equally, you need to keep your body safe from the sun by wearing hats and long-sleeved tops and trousers.

You’ll be camping during your stay and nights can be very cold as you ascend the mountain. Pack warm pyjamas and make sure you have a thermal base layer as an added precaution too.

How high is Machu Picchu?

Machu Picchu is 2,430 meters above sea level.

What should I pack for Machu Picchu?

Machu Picchu holidays are a lot easier when you have the right gear with you. Here are the essentials items you’ll need to pack for a successful trip:

  • Passport
  • Money
  • Water
  • Insect repellent
  • Sun cream
  • Thin and breathable clothes
  • Comfortable footwear
  • Light waterproofs
  • Swimming costumes

    Remember that what you pack is what you’ll have to carry up the mountain, so pack light for a much more enjoyable experience.

Join us, and let Exodus be ‘Your Guide to Machu Picchu’

Machu Picchu

The best guides in the business. Awarded GOLD by Wanderlust

Machu Picchu

Nat Geo Traveller Best Operator & British Travel Awards Best Operator for 2022

Machu Picchu

100 square meters of land Rewilded for every guest that travels

Machu Picchu

The Exodus Travels Foundation supports hard-to-reach local communities

Expert Blog Entries

Book your tour to Machu Picchu today!

Are you ready to set your sights on this sprawling Inca citadel? Whether you’re hoping to experience Machu Picchu in isolation or as part of a wider journey through Peru, our Inca Trail to Machu Picchu trips are justifiably popular. It’s a good idea to book early to secure your place on the journey of a lifetime.