Don't let tight connections and poor planning ruin your trip to Machu Picchu. We're Machu Picchu travel experts and here's our list of top tips to help you make the most of your trip to the famous Inca citadel. 

#1 - Flexibility is the key to preventing and solving problems when traveling. 

Aim for your target dates, hotels and ideal train departures. Give yourself permission to choose alternatives in case your 1st choice is not available. Bottom line is that even the tourist class hotels near Machu Picchu have basic comforts like hot water, breakfast and decent beds with linens. None of the hotels in Aguas Calientes have majestic views, swimming pools or entertainment. Everyone is there for the same reason. To make their dream visit to Machu Picchu come to life!

We recommend that you choose the train based on departure times. Unless you plan to book the luxury Hiram Bingham train, the service on both the Expedition and Vistadome trains is roughly equal. Both have full back comfortable seats and panoramic windows. The biggest difference is how the snacks are served.  Click here to get a virtual tour to compare the trains.

#2 - Set up a 2 day trip to Machu Picchu.

I'm not saying it can't be done. But trying to do a 1 day trip from Cusco to Machu Picchu is the best way to tempt the gods of chaos and mayhem! Going for 2 days not only makes the trip more enjoyable, and gives you latitude for coping with last minute calamities. Not to mention, you have the chance to visit Machu Picchu on 2 different days, in case the weather is uncooperative on one of them. On Day 1 you depart Cusco and make your way to Aguas Calientes and an afternoon visit to Machu Picchu. Then overnight in Aguas Calientes. On Day 2 you return to Machu Picchu for morning visit, then back to Cusco by evening.

#3 - Build in buffer days for your trip to Machu Picchu.

About 99% of travelers will arrive in Cusco by air on their way to Machu Picchu. It's worth it to spend at least 1 full day and 1 night in Cusco, where you have access to banking services, pharmacies, restaurants, museums, and anything else you can think of. Not to mention the chance to acclimatize. Flight delays to Cusco are not uncommon due to weather at high altitude, especially during the rainy season (December - March). Avoid booking the last flight of the day between Lima and Cusco unless you have flexible plans the next day. 

I don't recommend that you book your flight from Cusco to Lima on the same day as your visit to Machu Picchu. Travel time from Machu Picchu to Cusco is more than 5 hours with lots of opportunities for delays.  After you return to Cusco from your visit to the Inca citadel, it's ideal to plan to overnight in Cusco and depart any time you like the next day.

#4 - Should you buy more than one ticket to enter Machu Picchu on the same day?

Even if you don't plan to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, it may be desireable to buy two separate entry tickets. This allows you to have a break between tours inside the national park. One of the biggest reasons to have two entry tickets on the same day is to have a restroom break. Machu Picchu National Park authorities do not permit anyone to exit and re-enter Machu Picchu using the same ticket. 

#5 - Add the easy guided 1-day Inca Trail Hike to your visit to Machu Picchu

The 1 Day Inca Trail hike is part of a 2-Day trip to Machu Picchu.  The 2-day hike to Machu Picchu is my favorite because you have most of the day to hike a pretty easy 7.5 mile trail, there's no camping and you get to enter Machu Picchu from the Sungate. Families with members of varying needs, can split up for the day so that some members do the hike and others take the train. A private guide is included during the hike and the tour of Machu Picchu the next day. Everyone meets up in Aguas Calientes at the end of the hike on day 1 and returns to Machu Picchu together for a guided tour of the Inca ruins on Day 2. 

We welcome your questions about organizing your trip to Machu Picchu or anywhere else in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia or Chile. 
Contact our team in the US office:   757-714-6649 / 757-270-9293 / info @ AdiosAdventureTravel.com