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TRAVELLING TO Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is truly is the gem of Peru. Cradled in the heart of the Andes, the area was once the heart of the Incan Empire, but today, the fascinating archeological remains still tell the complex story of the history of the Incas.
Descendants of the Incas reside here till today, many still practicing traditional rituals. Australian travellers to Machu Picchu can seek out authentic cultural experiences, immersive themselves into the story of the Inca, and can be inspired by the spectacular Andes Mountains.
Why visit Machu Picchu?
For today’s traveller, a trip to Machu Picchu offers a variety of options available to explore this fascinating site. You could head out of Cusco on a day trip, including a Machu Picchu tour with your historian guide, hike to Machu Picchu on the less travelled Salkantay route staying in Lodges every night or take in the offbeat Lares region offering a combination of Andean hiking and cultural encounters within Quechua communities.
However, if you really want to feel nature under your feet, the traditional Inca trail still wins hands down. There are many ways to explore Machu Picchu whether you want adventure, culture, luxury, ensuring you visit in a way that feels right for you.
More information: You'll find all of our current Machu Picchu trip itineraries below.
Still wondering? Contact us - we're always here to help, so please give us a call or drop us an email and let us do the hard work for you, planning your perfect Machu Picchu trip from Australia.
Machu Picchu is truly is the gem of Peru. Cradled in the heart of the Andes, the area was once the heart of the Incan Empire, but today, the fascinating archeological remains still tell the complex story of the history of the Incas.
Descendants of the Incas reside here till today, many still practicing traditional rituals. Australian travellers to Machu Picchu can seek out authentic cultural experiences, immersive themselves into the story of the Inca, and can be inspired by the spectacular Andes Mountains.
Why visit Machu Picchu?
For today’s traveller, a trip to Machu Picchu offers a variety of options available to explore this fascinating site. You could head out of Cusco on a day trip, including a Machu Picchu tour with your historian guide, hike to Machu Picchu on the less travelled Salkantay route staying in Lodges every night or take in the offbeat Lares region offering a combination of Andean hiking and cultural encounters within Quechua communities.
However, if you really want to feel nature under your feet, the traditional Inca trail still wins hands down. There are many ways to explore Machu Picchu whether you want adventure, culture, luxury, ensuring you visit in a way that feels right for you.
More information: You'll find all of our current Machu Picchu trip itineraries below.
Still wondering? Contact us - we're always here to help, so please give us a call or drop us an email and let us do the hard work for you, planning your perfect Machu Picchu trip from Australia.
WHY TRAVEL WITH CHIMU ADVENTURES
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We are true South American experts. As an award-winning company and Certified B Corporation with over 20 years of industry leading experience, we’ve refined, simplified, and perfected our itineraries over two decades to give you the ultimate experience in each location.
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Chimu’s Signature South America itineraries offer the perfect blend of independent and supported travel, with daily departure dates and full flexibility.
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With local offices on the ground, Chimu staff and English-speaking guides will always be nearby to provide support, guidance, and advice as you travel.
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From your initial enquiry until your trip ends, your personal Destination Specialist will look after everything you need, including flights, insurance, and transfers. They'll also offer insight and advice to help you make the most of your time in Latin America.
Machu Picchu TOURS
Machu Picchu REVIEWS
All Chimu Adventures' clients are given the opportunity to review their trip once they return home. These reviews are administered by a third party and as such are unfiltered by Chimu Adventures.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
There is an entry fee for anyone wanting to trek up Huayna Picchu and permits need to be secured in advance. The number of daily visitors allowed to enter Huayna Picchu is restricted to 400 and permits are on a first come first served basis. Please ensure that you advise us at the time of making your Peru booking if you would like to hike this mountain.
Machu Picchu is located at 2,430m. The highest point of the Inca Trail is 4,215m at the top of Dead Woman’s Pass; the highest point on the Salkantay Trek is at 4,600m and on the Lares Trek it is 4,550m.
Although no specific vaccinations are required for Peru travel and no proof of any vaccination is required to enter Peru, we recommend that you visit your doctor or a traveller’s medical centre for current information specific to those places that you will be travelling through. As a general guide we recommend the following:
• Yellow Fever - Especially for jungle areas
• Hepatitis - Both A and B (twinrix)
• Typhoid
• Diphtheria
• Cholera
• Rabies
• Tetanus
This will depend on whether you are travelling to Machu Picchu by train or trekking along the Inca Trail or one of the other trails. If travelling by train you will need only a day pack with items such as camera, water bottle, sunscreen, sun hat and sunglasses, change of clothes if staying overnight, rain jacket and fleece jacket, passport and small amount of money.
If you are trekking, then you will need to pack accordingly and be prepared for extremes of climate from freezing to hot. We recommend the following:
• Daypack & rain cover
• A soft trek bag
• Sleeping bag (-5°C) (if not provided)
• Rain jacket & waterproof trousers
• Walking boots
• Complete change of clothing
• Socks/underwear/thermal underwear
• Trekking trousers or zip-off shorts
• After trekking trousers/shirt/sandals
• Warm layers (e.g. fleeces and/or lined jacket)
• Gloves, scarf and wool/fleece hat
• Water bottle and sterilising tablets
• Flashlight/torch & spare batteries
• Broad-brim or peaked cap
• Sun block & lip balm
• Sunglasses
• Insect repellent
• Toiletries, toilet paper & small towel
• Selection of small snacks such as chocolates, dried fruit, biscuits, etc.
• Camera (in plastic bag or dry-sack) with spare memory cards, batteries
• Cash (for minor purchases on trek, tips, souvenirs, lunch in Aguas Calientes etc.)
• Passport
• Money belt
• Trekking poles (optional) – must be rubber tipped
• Personal First Aid Kit to include painkillers, plasters (Band-Aids), moleskin, antiseptic cream, after-bite, anti-diarrhoea tablets, throat lozenges, re-hydration salts & personal medication
Machu Picchu is one of Peru’s must-see highlights. The unit of currency in Peru is the Peruvian Nuevo Sol (PEN). The US Dollar is widely accepted throughout the country and prices are often given in both US dollars and Soles.
The easiest way for Australians to get to Machu Picchu is to fly to Lima via Santiago. From there, you take a connecting flight to Cusco, the starting point for many Machu Picchu tours.
The level of fitness needed will depend on how you are planning to visit Machu Picchu. If you are travelling to Machu Picchu by train, then you do not need to be fit. Machu Picchu is at a lower altitude than Cusco, so you will be well acclimatised before you embark on your train journey.
If you are planning to trek to Machu Picchu, then a reasonable level of fitness is advised and the fitter you are the easier you will find the trek, and the more you will probably enjoy it. It is also recommended that you spend at least 2 days acclimatising in Cusco before your trek to try to prevent altitude sickness whilst on the trail. This is especially important if you have arrived from sea level, for example from Lima. Cusco lies at 3,400m and the highest point of the Inca Trail is at 4,200m.
In general it is safe to travel to Machu Picchu and there are not the same issues as might be found in larger cities, where you need to be much more vigilant. Train stations can be crowded so be aware of pickpockets. As with travel throughout Peru we recommend the following to minimise security risks:
• do not show any outward signs of wealth or wear expensive jewellery
• keep your valuables in your hotel in safety deposit boxes
• keep any valuables that you must carry with you hidden, as pickpockets can be present in crowded areas and around tourist areas
• use only registered taxis with official identification
• avoid going on your own to remote areas/ruins where tourists would not be expected to go
• always keep your day pack and camera close to you and never leave them unattended.
Again this depends on how you plan to visit Machu Picchu. It is possible to visit Machu Picchu in a day by train from Cusco, or an overnight trip can be organised with accommodation in Aguas Calientes or even closer to Machu Picchu. If you plan to trek in, there are a range of treks available from 4-7 days.