How do I get to Machu Picchu? Can I visit without having to hike?
You can either hike to Machu Picchu or take the train to the nearby town of Aguas Calientes and take a short bus-ride from there. Our hiking trips follow the most popular route to Machu Picchu,
the Inca Trail.
Can I hike to Machu Picchu?
Yes we offer
Inca Trail treks that follow the most popular trail to Machu Picchu.
How hard is it to get to Machu Picchu?
It is easy to get to Machu Picchu by train, particularly on our trips as we arrange all the logistics for you. Depending on the trip you take, you'll get the train to Aguas Calientes from Cusco or Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. From there we'll get take a short bus-ride to the site itself. Generally, after visiting Machu Picchu we stay in Aguas Calientes, avoiding further travel in one day and so you can rest well after lots of exploring.
Our Inca Trail trekking trips are graded as 'Moderate to Challenging' meaning some days of trek are Moderate and at least one is Challenging. Walking the Inca Trail requires a good level of fitness but with a little pre-tour training it should be well within the capabilities of anyone who leads an active and moderately healthy lifestyle. It isn’t a race, you have the whole day to cover the distance and take in all the marvellous views and Inca ruins.
Is it safe to visit Machu Picchu?
Yes it is safe to visit Machu Picchu. Huge numbers visit the site each year with no problems.
It doesn't matter whether you're on one of our trips that takes the train to Machu Picchu, or one of our Inca Trail treks, your safety is our number one priority. Your local leader will have been expertly-trained by us to deal with any unexpected situations, and we pride ourselves on our reputation of reacting quickly and efficiently to issues. Plus, you'll have the reassurance of travelling with others in your group.
How high is Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu sits 2,430 metres (7,972 feet) above sea level.
What other destinations can I combine my Machu Picchu trip with?
Our Peru trips combine Machu Picchu with a selection of the country's other highights, such as Cusco, Lake Titicaca and Colca Canyon. You can also choose to extend your Peru trip with a
stay in the Amazon rainforest.
We also offer a trip that combines Peru and
Machu Picchu with the Galapagos Islands in one tour.
Is it responsible to visit Machu Picchu right now?
All of the porters and cooks for our tours are local people, often farmers, employed from the Sacred Valley area. We ensure that they are all paid fairly - being a porter on the Inca Trail pays much better than a farming job and one trip can often mean that they can support their family for weeks.
In 2018 non-reusable plastic was banned and the porters are asked to weigh their rubbish before and after the hike, to meet regulations. We only use designated campsites on the trail and all water is boiled. The food served is sourced from the local area - you'll likely have fish from the rivers and vegetables from the surrounding farms.
The permits ensure there are restricted numbers on the trail each day to protect the paths. The Inca Trail is closed in February every year for maintenance work.