FAQs about our Machu Picchu holidays
How do I get to Machu Picchu? Can I visit without having to hike?
With Explore, you have the option to 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, offering a stunning journey through the scenic beauty of The Andes.
Can I hike to Machu Picchu?
Yes, Explore offers guided trek tours along the
Inca Trail that follows the most popular route 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 you'll take a short bus ride to Machu Picchu. Generally, after visiting Machu Picchu we stay in Aguas Calientes, avoiding further travel in one day and providing you an opportunity to rest after a day of exploration.
If you’d like to travel on one of our Inca Trail trekking trips, these are graded as 'Moderate to Challenging'. This means that 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, and you’ll 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, provided you follow the correct route and adhere to site rules, it is very safe to visit Machu Picchu. The site attracts a huge number of tourists each year with no problems. Machu Picchu has a team of park rangers whose jobs are to keep order and manage with local animals.
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. At this height, altitude sickness is very unlikely. The surrounding area of Cusco, however, lies at an elevation of 3,399 metres (11,152 feet) – at these heights, altitude sickness is more common and medication such as Acetazolamide is advised.
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 highlights, 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?
We’re always conscious of the impact our tours have on local communities. 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 and treated fairly. Being a porter on the Inca Trail pays much better than a farming job and one trip can often mean that local people can support their families for weeks.
In 2018, non-reusable plastic was banned from Machu Picchu, 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 before use to ensure its safety. 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.