Confused about Machu Picchu Entry Times? You're Not Alone

Confused about Machu Picchu Entry Times? You're Not Alone

Entry times are pretty straight forward now. Our manager in Cusco says he uses the entry time printed on the official Machu Picchu entry ticket as the official time to be at the main gate. This is usually a 1-hour time window.…

Where are Most Visitors to Machu Picchu Coming From in 2023?

Where are Most Visitors to Machu Picchu Coming From in 2023?

In spite of the rough start in 2023, tourism in Peru is up a whopping 38.5% over the same 7 month period last year (Jan 1-July 30, 2022), Over the same period in 2023, North American travelers made up 24.5%, while Europeans lagged…

Avoid These Mistakes When Buying Tickets to Machu Picchu

Avoid These Mistakes When Buying Tickets to Machu Picchu

Can travelers buy their own tickets to Machu Picchu? Should they? What are the risks for making a mistake? Do people actually go to Machu Picchu and get turned away if there's an issue with their ticket or document? This year…

Why Tickets to Hike Wayna Picchu at Machu Picchu are Not Selling

Why Tickets to Hike Wayna Picchu at Machu Picchu are Not Selling

Glory Be! We never thought we'd see the day that tickets for the Wayna Picchu hike would be available in August when tickets for Machu Picchu Llaqta are sold out. You heard me right. Demand for Machu Picchu General Entry (Llaqta)…

What is the Difference Between Machu Picchu Upper Terrace and Upper Circuit?

What is the Difference Between Machu Picchu Upper Terrace and Upper Circuit?

Based on the trend in ticket sales in 2024, visitors are shifting their preferences to buying tickets that include access to the upper circuits of Machu Picchu, rather than the previously coveted tickets to hike Wayna Picchu.…

The One Experience That Every Traveler Can Expect on Their Trip to Machu Picchu

The One Experience That Every Traveler Can Expect on Their Trip to Machu Picchu

What "experience" am I talking about? Every single traveler regardless of your age, income or occupation can expect daily interactions with street vendors and micro-business enterprises everywhere you go in Peru. I do mean everywhere.…

Miraculous Availability for Inca Trail Hiking Permits in Summer 2023

Miraculous Availability for Inca Trail Hiking Permits in Summer 2023

When I say miraculous, here's what I mean. We haven't seen anything like this, in forever! Probably at least since hikers have been required to get permits. Here it is the month of June and permits to hike the 4 day Inca Trail…

Are Tour Guides Required to Enter Machu Picchu?

Are Tour Guides Required to Enter Machu Picchu?

Machu Picchu is a huge ancient city in an outdoor setting with 3 routes and 10 circuits spanning 34 acres. Are visitors required to hire a tour guide? So far, No. But here's why the discussion is bubbling to the surface  There…

What to Know About Traveling to Machu Picchu After Protests

What to Know About Traveling to Machu Picchu After Protests

With protests in Peru winding down and the restoration of supply chains well under way, what do travelers need to know about planning trips to Machu Picchu? The first thing to be aware of is that no one can ever guarantee there…

Machu Picchu Reopens After Protests - February 15, 2023

Machu Picchu Reopens After Protests - February 15, 2023

Since March, the main "Cusco to Machu Picchu Travel Corridor" is wide open and fully operational. "Come on down y'all! We're sorry we scared you!" Everything is back to normal. Visitors resumed travels to Peru and in July, August,…