Peru
Machu Picchu
Spend a night in Aguas Calientes so you can enter early; book circuit and mountain tickets months ahead. Below: 3 sights, 4 activities and 1 place to eat, plus how Machu Picchu fits into a longer trip.
- Places
- 9
- Curated routes
- 1
- Best season
- May – Sep
- Warmest month
- September
- Coolest month
- February
- Wettest month
- December
3 See · 4 Do · 1 Eat · 1 Drink
Cusco & Machu Picchu
from our route notes
22°C / 71°F avg high
19°C / 67°F avg high
about 135 mm rain
Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.
Things to do in Machu Picchu
9 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.
See
3 sights worth building a day around in Puente Ruinas.
Photo: bobistraveling · CC BY 2.0SeeMachu Picchu Historic Sanctuary
The Inca citadel on its ridge, visited on fixed circuit routes with timed entry.
Tip Buy tickets and circuit far in advance; a guide is required.
Photo: Thane Tempest · Google
Photo: Viajes Y más · GoogleSeeManuel Chávez Ballón Site Museum
Museum near Puente Ruinas explaining Inca construction, with a botanical garden.
Do
4 activities for when the group wants to do more than look in Aguas Calientes.
Photo: Allard Schmidt (The Netherlands) · Public domainDoHuayna Picchu
Steep stone-step climb to the peak behind the classic view, with ruins at the top.
Tip Limited permits; not for those afraid of heights.
Photo: sepang malezja · GoogleDoMachu Picchu Mountain
Longer, less exposed climb than Huayna Picchu with wide views of the citadel and valley.
Photo: Inti Punku MachuPicchu Hotel & Suites · Google
Photo: Baños Termales (Machu Picchu) · GoogleDoAguas Calientes Hot Springs
Public thermal pools at the top of town, popular after a day of hiking.
Tip Go in the evening; bring a swimsuit and towel.
Eat
Where we would book a table in Machu Picchu in Aguas Calientes.
Photo: Restaurant Bistro Bar Indio Feliz · GoogleEatIndio Feliz
Long-running French-Peruvian bistro with set menus and a quirky, decorated dining room.
Drink
Our picks for a drink in Machu Picchu in Aguas Calientes.
Photo: Mapacho Craft Beer Restaurant · GoogleDrinkMapacho Craft Beer Restaurant
Riverside restaurant pouring Cusco-brewed craft beer with Andean dishes.
Tip Reserve in high season (May–Sep).
How to fit Machu Picchu into a trip
Machu Picchu is stop 3 of 3 on our Cusco & Machu Picchu route. Follow it as-is or lift Machu Picchu into your own plan.
Stop 3 of 3
Cusco & Machu Picchu
Inca stonework, Andean markets & the lost city
- Trip length
- 7 days
- Best season
- May – Sep
- Pace
- challenging
- Before: Sacred Valley
Getting here and onward
- Sacred Valley to Machu PicchuSacred Valley is about 53 km / 33 mi away in a straight line
Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.
Machu Picchu month by month
Average daily highs run from 19°C / 67°F in February to 22°C / 71°F in September. December is the wettest month, with about 135 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.
- Jan20° / 67°F average high
- Feb19° / 67°F average high
- Mar19° / 67°F average high
- Apr20° / 67°F average high
- May20° / 68°F average high, in our recommended season
- Jun20° / 68°F average high, in our recommended season
- Jul20° / 69°F average high, in our recommended season
- Aug21° / 71°F average high, in our recommended season
- Sep22° / 71°F average high, in our recommended season
- Oct22° / 71°F average high
- Nov21° / 70°F average high
- Dec20° / 68°F average high
Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Machu Picchu weather and the best time to visit →
Near Machu Picchu
2 other destinations from our guides within about 100 km (62 mi), measured in a straight line.
Machu Picchu questions, answered
How many days do you need in Machu Picchu?
On our Cusco & Machu Picchu route it is stop 3 of 3 in a 7-day trip. Split evenly, that is about 2 days here, an estimate rather than a rule. The listed visit times for our 9 places add up to roughly 18 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.
What is Machu Picchu best known for?
Spend a night in Aguas Calientes so you can enter early; book circuit and mountain tickets months ahead. Standouts on our list: Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary (The Inca citadel on its ridge, visited on fixed circuit routes with timed entry); Inca Bridge (Short cliffside trail to a log bridge built into a sheer rock face); Manuel Chávez Ballón Site Museum (Museum near Puente Ruinas explaining Inca construction, with a botanical garden).
When is the best time to visit Machu Picchu?
Our Cusco & Machu Picchu route is best May – Sep. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in September (22°C / 71°F), the coolest in February (19°C / 67°F) and the most rain in December (about 135 mm).
What are the best things to do in Machu Picchu?
Start with Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary, Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain, Inti Punku (Sun Gate) and Inca Bridge. Our guide lists 9 places in all, from 3 sights, 4 activities, 1 place to eat and 1 bar or café.
What is near Machu Picchu?
The closest destinations in our guides are Sacred Valley (about 53 km / 33 mi) and Cusco (about 75 km / 46 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.
Plan Machu Picchu with your crew
Open the Cusco & Machu Picchu route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 9 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.