Travel to Machu Picchu: what could possibly go wrong?

Being aware of the many things that can happen along the way is the best way to prepare for your trip to Machu Picchu. This collection of information comes from real events from Adios Adventure Travel tour groups.

Top 5 areas areas where last minute changes are most likely to impact your plans to visit Machu Picchu

1) International flights:
The definition of "international" flight is any flight that departs from another country and lands/departs in Peru. This includes flights from countries in South America. All international flights arrive in Lima on the coast. (except for a couple between La Paz & Cusco) The majority of flights from the US arrive late evening. If your flight from the US is cancelled, the airline may not be able to reroute you on the same day and you may have to wait until the next day to depart from the US. Be prepared with a list of the providers you need to contact. Ask in advance if you can contact them by text. Many use "WhatsApp." Find out the best way to contact them and what hours they can be reached.

Have the contact info for your flight to Cusco available. They will likely charge you a penalty to change it, but it may be covered by travel insurance (unless your delay was the result of a weather event). Depending on the airline you book with, they will probably have space on another flight.
Be ready to change your hotel reservation in Lima. Penalties may be covered by travel insurance. NOTE: have the contact info for a backup hotel ready in case your hotel does not have space. If you booked at Wyndham Costa del Sol, at the airport, there is a strong possibility they may not have space. It takes about 45 min - 1 hr each way to travel back and forth to hotels in Miraflores. Hotel shuttles only run on request. And the cost of the ground transfer is not included. Add about $35-$50 for transfer each way depending on the size of your group.
Notify the person who is meeting you at the airport in Cusco that you are delayed.
Flights to Lima from other countries in South America may arrive during the day. It's tempting to continue to Cusco the same day. If you choose to do this, avoid scheduling the trip to Machu Picchu the next day. It's best to schedule a day in Cusco to allow for delays. Even if new entry tickets to Machu Picchu can be purchased for a different date, the trains may be jammed full. If you booked everything online yourself, your best option will be to go to the offices in Cusco to try to change your train tickets. If you booked through an operator, contact them right away. They may be able to send someone to the Perurail office to change the tickets.

2) Domestic flights:
Flights between Lima and Cusco are heavy in the morning and taper off in the afternoon and end around 7 pm. In cases where international flights have been delayed, and you miss your connection to Cuzco, the local airlines are pretty lenient with rebooking travelers on later flights if space is available.

Domestic airlines make changes to flight schedules as needed. Especially if you book your domestic flights months in advance. Double check your flight schedules right up to the day of your departure. Email notifications can be missed.
If you are leaving Cusco the day after your arrival, be sure to pack your carryon with essentials. If you luggage is lost or delayed, your only option will be to go without, or buy replacements in Cusco.
Weather conditions in Cusco can cause flight delays. Airlines that fly internationally including Lan Airlines and Avianca airlines have equipment that may allow their planes to land and take off when other airlines are temporarliy grounded. From November to early April is the rainy season and there is greater chance that weather will affect flight departures during that time. If you have tight connections, it may be best to choose the airline that is least likely to be affected by weather conditions. Or allow at least 3+ hours layover between flights.
If traveling to the Amazon jungle or Lake Titicaca on your trip to Machu Picchu, you will need to book one way flights to tie your trip together. It's not always most cost effective to book all legs of your flights on the same airline. Compare the cost of booking each leg individually on the airline that offers the best rate.

3) Trains to Machu Picchu:
Most people focus on Machu Picchu entry ticket availability, when in fact it's the train schedule they should be focused on. Having an entry ticket to Machu Picchu is useless if you can't get there. Book the train first, then buy your entry tickets.

There is no train station in Cusco. Perurail train service booked between Cusco and Machu Picchu, includes a 2 hour bus ride to and from the station in Ollantaytambo.
The closest station to Cusco is Poroy, about 30 minutes from the city. This is where a few Vistadome trains and all Hiram Bingham luxury train services begin and end. The majority of trains, including Expedition and Vistadome service, originate and end from the station in Ollantaytambo, located about 2 hours from Cusco in the Sacred Valley.
I'll say it again. If you were to drop from the sky into a Vistadome or Expedition train, I don't think you could tell the difference. Both trains have the exact same windows for viewing, and travel on the exact same tracks. The biggest difference is that Vistadome will serve 3 peanuts in a lovely basket and Expedition will serve 2 peanuts in a measly cardboard tray. The difference is not worth the fuss. Choose the train that offers the best schedule for your itinerary.
There is no public transportation between Cusco and Ollantaytambo. There are taxis, private buses and vans, and "collectivos," an informal bus service used mainly by locals. Taxis charge as much as you are willing to pay. Can be $50 USD each way. Collectivos are paid in local currency and cost about 12 to 20 soles per person. (less than $10 USD)
Your hotel is one resource to help you arrange transfers to/from Ollantaytambo train station. Or contact us: Adios Adventure Travel

4) Staying Healthy:
Travelers can get sick, have accidents or discover the joys of altitude sickness when they arrive in Cusco where the altitude is 11,000 ft/3440 m.

Unless you live at altitude, you can expect to experience minor side affects of altitude sickness, including headache, lethargy, insomnia and even nausea. OTC pain relievers work great for mild headaches. Drinking extra water helps avoid dehydration.
Ask your physician if you are a good candidate for prescription drug known as "Diamox." (acetazolamid) Take it before you depart on your trip.
Avoid eating street food and drink only bottled water the entire trip.
If you have an accident or become sick enough that you need to see a doctor. there are clinics in Cusco and licensed guides are trained to know where to call for quick access to medical service. If you don't have a guide, go through your hotel. Doctors make hotel calls.
Prevention is the key to avoid having incidents that affect your health to the point that your trip is interrupted.

5) Essential info about tickets:
So you managed to make all your flights, checkin to your hotels, make it to the train station and get to the main entry of Machu Picchu. What happens if you forget your entry tickets? (it has happened!)

to the left side of the main entry is an office where you can present your passport & get your entry tickets printed.
it is absolutely required that every person present the passport used to buy their ticket, when they enter Machu Picchu.
if your passport is expiring but you need to buy Inca Trail permits or Machu Picchu entry tickets, you can use the expired passport, then apply for the new passport. When you travel, you'll need to carry and be prepared to show both passports.
Names on tickets can be misspelled and it should not cause problems. But it is important that the passport number on your document matches the number on your ticket.

Most travelers to Machu Picchu run into small glitches along the way that are easily overcome without any significant repercussions. But mishaps in the areas in this list can be serious enough to delay or prevent your visit to the ancient citadel. Unless you're prepared!

In spite of all these problems, all our groups made it to Machu Picchu.