Common Mistakes When Traveling to Machu Picchu

Organizing a trip is not an easy task, but with patience and dedication, you can have an unforgettable experience and save a lot of money. For those who are always looking for new adventures, planning your trip to Machu Picchu is one of the most exciting stages. However, different mistakes can be made, such as not booking tickets in advance, avoiding the low season, or thinking you can tour Machu Picchu without a guide. In this blog, we will introduce you to some common mistakes visitors make when traveling to Machu Picchu.

Avoid being one of those tourists who finds themselves in the middle of Machu Picchu without tickets, with a monumental hangover, and carrying a backpack the size of a house! Here we tell you how to avoid the most common mistakes so that your trip to the sacred city of the Incas is perfect and full of adventures.

Mistake 1: Not Booking Machu Picchu Tickets in Advance

The Importance of Early Booking

Many people traveling to Machu Picchu in Peru, and generally to all Latin American countries, seek the thrill of exploring the most amazing places on their own. However, if you want to travel to Machu Picchu on your own, the most important thing is to book the entrance tickets to the Inca city. The availability of Machu Picchu tickets is limited; therefore, some tickets must be booked months in advance.

Types of Tickets and Booking Times

The Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu ticket must be booked 6 months in advance, otherwise, you might have to settle for the remaining available tickets and schedules. Also, remember that you will not be able to enter Machu Picchu without presenting a copy of your passport, along with a printed copy of your Machu Picchu ticket. There are several types of tickets:

Schedules and New Circuits to Visit Machu Picchu June 2024

High and Low Season

The vast number of people visiting Machu Picchu between July and August (high season) means that not only Machu Picchu tickets but also hotels in Aguas Calientes and Cusco must be booked several months in advance. Otherwise, you may have to spend more than expected.

Mistake 2: Bringing Too Much Luggage

Do not bring too much luggage with you; it is not allowed in Machu Picchu, and you will not need it. Not only in Machu Picchu, but you will also not be allowed to board the train with a very large backpack. Bring only what is absolutely necessary. It is not necessary to bring formal attire or jewelry, just comfortable and cool clothing.

Mistake 3: Trying to Do the Entire Machu Picchu Trip in One Day

If you have the opportunity and the necessary time, try to spend the night before your visit in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), especially if you decide to climb one of the mountains of Machu Picchu. The first entry time for Huayna Picchu Mountain is at 7 am, and if you try to do everything in one day, you might miss the opportunity to be at the entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain at the right time. By spending the night in Aguas Calientes, you can take the first bus to Machu Picchu and be one of the first people to enter the Inca city, with the possibility of seeing the sunrise inside Machu Picchu or from one of the surrounding mountains.

Mistake 4: Not Hiring a Guide for the Visit

It is easy to marvel at a structure like the Intihuatana, but it will be better if someone explains to you that this stone is cordoned off because many people touched it to feel its energy and that it precisely marks solstices and equinoxes. Yes, you will need a guide in Machu Picchu. Although you can use your smartphone to get information, there is nothing better than an experienced guide to explain the wonders of each of Machu Picchu’s structures. Do not let the lack of a guide ruin your trip; learn how to hire one in Machu Picchu or directly whit InkaTrailBackpacker for a better experience in Machu Picchu and other places in Cusco..

How to Travel Independently and Economically to Machu Picchu in 2024 – Detailed Guide:

Mistake 5: Avoiding the Low Season Due to Fear of Rain

Many people avoid the rainy season in Machu Picchu, mistakenly believing that it rains all day every day. However, this is far from true. The rains in Cusco and Machu Picchu during the rainy season usually occur mostly in the afternoons. So, you can tour Machu Picchu in the morning, with sun and a warm and fresh climate, allowing you to explore the mountains without much fatigue. Additionally, there are many other advantages if you visit Machu Picchu during the rainy season, such as fewer tourists and lower rates.

Mistake 6: Not Visiting the Nearby Andean Communities

If time permits, visit some of the Andean communities between Cusco and Machu Picchu. The Sacred Valley was once the heart of the Inca civilization, the largest empire in the Western Hemisphere. If you are already in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, do not miss the opportunity to see the Inca villages and colonial cities built on or near them, such as Ollantaytambo or Pisac. Pisac has Andean weaving communities where you can find beautiful alpaca garments and learn something about how they are made and the ancient Inca weaving techniques.

Mistake 7: Engaging in Prohibited Activities in Machu Picchu

Although it is one of the most common selfies among visitors, “do not jump in Machu Picchu.” While a photo jumping in Machu Picchu guarantees many “likes” on social media, it also contributes to the sinking of the sacred city of the Incas. Studies reveal that the city sinks between 2 and 3 cm each year due to the weight of visitors. Authorities will ask you not to jump in Machu Picchu, and although it may not seem important, please do not do it. Also, avoid eating in unassigned areas, sitting on the ruins, touching the Inca walls, and under no circumstances, stripping. These actions may cause you to be permanently banned from entering Machu Picchu.

Mistake 8: Overindulging in Pisco Sour the Night Before

It may seem unnecessary to warn you against excessive alcohol consumption the night before your visit to one of the new 7 wonders of the world, but there is a cocktail with pisco (Peru’s national drink), beaten egg white, lemon juice, and Angostura bitters known as Pisco Sour. It is sweet and sour, and so addictive that a single glass can lead to a night of pisco-induced revelry. The result is a hangover like no other, which will be exacerbated by the altitude and the excitement of being in Machu Picchu. So save the Pisco experience for another night.

Conclusion

Visiting Machu Picchu is one of the most pleasant experiences anyone could wish for, whether through hikes like the Inca Trail, adventure tours like the Inca Jungle or Salkantay Trek, or simply doing the Machu Picchu Full Day tour. We recommend taking into account the tips provided before your trip. Contact us, we are Inka Trail Backpacker, a company that ensures a pleasant and unforgettable journey.

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