Do these easy training hikes near Cusco before the Inca Trail
No matter how fit and ready you are to hike the high altitude trails in Peru, active travelers of all ages will enjoy, and even benefit from these training hikes near Cusco and the Sacred Valley. This is the perfect way to explore…
Are Parts of Machu Picchu Closing? It's Not What You Think
OK. Yes the Peru government has announced a plan to increase the availability of additional Machu Picchu entry tickets in 2024. No. They did not close parts of the the citadel last September 2023 due to heavy tourism. Here we…
Confused about Machu Picchu Entry Times? You're Not Alone
Our manager in Cusco says he uses the entry time printed on the official Machu Picchu entry ticket as the official time to be at the main gate. This is usually a 1-hour time window. It doesn't matter what you think you selected…
Where are Most Visitors to Machu Picchu Coming From in 2023?
In spite of the rough start in 2023, tourism in Peru is up a whopping 38.5% over the same 7 month period last year (Jan 1-July 30, 2022), Over the same period in 2023, North American travelers made up 24.5% while Europeans lagged…
Avoid These Mistakes When Buying Tickets to Machu Picchu
Can travelers buy their own tickets to Machu Picchu? Should they? What are the risks for making a mistake? Do people actually go to Machu Picchu and get turned away if there's an issue with their ticket or document? This year…
Why Tickets to Hike Wayna Picchu at Machu Picchu are Not Selling
Glory Be! We never thought we'd see the day that tickets for the Wayna Picchu hike would be available in August when tickets for Machu Picchu Llaqta are sold out. You heard me right. Demand for Machu Picchu General Entry (Llaqta)…
What is the Difference Between Machu Picchu Upper Terrace and Upper Circuit?
Based on the trend in ticket sales in 2023, visitors are buying more tickets that include access to the upper circuits of Machu Picchu, rather than the previously coveted tickets to hike Wayna Picchu. Tickets that include access…
The One Experience That Every Traveler Can Expect on Their Trip to Machu Picchu
What "experience" am I talking about? Every single traveler regardless of your age, income or occupation can expect daily interactions with street vendors and micro-business enterprises everywhere you go in Peru. I do mean everywhere.…
Miraculous Availability for Inca Trail Hiking Permits in Summer 2023
When I say miraculous, here's what I mean. We haven't seen anything like this, in forever! Probably at least since hikers have been required to get permits. Here it is the month of June and permits to hike the 4 day Inca Trail…
Are Tour Guides Required to Enter Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu is a huge ancient city in an outdoor setting with upper and lower one-way circuits spanning 34 acres. Are visitors required to hire a tour guide? So far, No. But here's why the discussion is bubbling to the surface …
