Machu Picchu: What they won't tell you about visiting here

There are a zillion YouTube videos from Machu Picchu, but few reveal the secrets and surprises like this one. We're unveiling the good, the bad and the ugly about visiting this ancient city in the clouds.

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[GaisSacredCreations]

The Peruvian porters are called Quechuas, NOT Sherpas. The Quechuas take pride in their work supporting the tours. Sherpa is an ethnic group of people living in the Khumbu region of the Himalayas.

[zenkitty]

Spent my honeymoon in Peru which included a visit to Machu Picchu in 1964, long before the tourist industry developed. No hotels, no crowds, just the isolated magnificence of this stunning Incan city.

[escobarny]

I’ve been to Machu Picchu 4 times, in “87”, “09”, “18” & “20”. Every visit was a unique experience of its own. Mo visit has ever been the same. I can’t wait to go back. I’ll continue to visit Machu Picchu until I no longer can. It’ll change you forever, it has for me.

[Sundayjean]

I’m so fortunate to have visited there in 1983 before it became a tourist destination. It seems to me that the 15 of us had the whole place to ourselves, and that night we camped at the base.

[rfcgong]

Wife and I visited Machu Picchu 15 years ago. Our tour started in Lima, a flight to Cusco where we stayed at a hotel for two nights. Our tour guide said this would make us acclimated to the altitude. He was right on! we arrived at Aguas Calientes for a two night stay. Next morning up early as the first group of visitors. Machu Picchu was a fantastic sight to see.We enjoyed the fact that the town was sparsely visited as we were the first bus up. We of course took many pictures and were able to explore the entire town. One thing they don't tell you is "Don't touch the llamas", they have Great trip!!

[kepckatherinec]

I visited Peru, including Machu Picchu, during early May of 2016. My experience was flawless and fabulous. No issues with bumpy roads. The train was great! Bus ride up the windy road to Machu Picchu wasn’t harrowing. There are plenty of similar steep, narrow, winding roads right here in the US. I spent the whole day exploring the “village in the clouds”, except that there were no clouds that day, just brilliant sunshine. The tourist presence wasn’t excessive and all were well behaved. I was, and still am, in awe of the ruins and the views. Magnificent. The next morning, our group members had the option of rising at a leisurely time or taking a dawn trip back up the mountain. I chose dawn in Machu Picchu. Fewer visitors that early. At times I had portions of the ruins to myself. Best trip ever.

[dianegregory]

I went there three times in 2012/2013 & climbed Huayna Picchu, on the third time, I could not get enough of the place, I was there from opening till closing. Was a absolute joy. 🙏😊💜

[globaltrekkerexplorer]

Once-in-a-lifetime! Doesn't matter what you wear, as long as you are there! I cried tears of joy when I arrived after a hike to the City on the hill...

[stephenelderkin]

I was fortunate to visit Machu Picchu in the 80s and there were very few people there. I jogged up the mountain avoiding the switchbacks by using shortcut paths that went straight up the mountain. These paths were used by the young vendors who would follow the bus up and down the mountain by using the short cuts and sell various products to the people on the buses at each switchback.

[dtsosie]

Been there done that. Took bus from Cusco halfway and took train out and all the way back to Cusco - unforgettable journey. Our guide (Sergio) asked me what tribe I was from and told him I was Navajo and he knew all about the Navajo Code Talkers and request I speak Navajo and he was taken aback when I knew how to speak Navajo and he about did cartwheels when he heard me speak it.

[maryoleary]

I did this climb at age 80. Yes, it was physically demanding, but certainly not impossible. The steps are tricky but there is no rush to the top or down again. We were there in early August, no rain, no fog, no mosquitoes. The bus ride after leaving the train was not that harrowing and nobody was frightened. The altitude is actually lower than in Cusco. Hopefully this video won't dissuade anyone from not going to Machu Picchu. It is an amazing experience.

[JacobBennettNY]

wow memories! I was in Peru a few years ago. Machu Picchu is the most amazing place on the American continent! For me Peru is the most beautiful and diverse country in South America! I remember traveling through the mountains of Peru and then arriving at the Peruvian jungle to live the experience of ayahuasca, Peru is the country of origin, it was something important in my life. Thanks for the video.

[kijekuyo]

I went in 2003, and I wanted to say that we had no trouble with the altitude. Cuzco is much higher, and we had already become acclimated to the reduced oxygen long before getting to Machu Picchu, which is about the same height as the unimpressive mountains east of my home. What was impressive was seeing how much higher the surrounding Andes were from Machu Picchu.

[jonathangold]

Spectacular footage of Machu Pichu!!! Absolutely breathtaking views from start to finish. Your tips along the way will prove helpful to any others
contemplating making the trek at a future date.
Thanks for taking along the viewing audience,
it was greatly appreciated by us all!

[aiszard]

MP is such an experience, I recommend 2 days if possible. On day 1 I left Cusco by train at 7 am (why drive for 2 hours to board train??) and got to Aqua Calientes around 9. Met tour guide and spent entire day at MP. Checked into hotel for night in AC and then arose before dawn on day 2 for first bus up to MP. I had ticket for early admittance to Huayna Picchu and hiked to top. Now THAT is unforgettable!!! I don’t understand why folks try to cram to/from and visit MP all in one day. Slow down folks and see the scenery.

[fraji]

I was there 11 days in 2022 our initial trip held up two years due to COVID. We hiked the Salkantay trail to Machu Picchu. Hiked and camped 42 miles and across a pass at 15k ft. It was challenging but a trip of a lifetime. We went at the end of April. No rain, not a lot of mosquitoes. If you get a chance to go, GO!

[chrismc]

Best to make a 5 day or so trip through the Sacred Valley from Cusco to Aqua Calientes. Since a day trip to Machu Picchu is limited 4 hours a day, it is best to stay overnight in Aqua Calientes and do Machu Picchu 2 days in a row. Lovely village with plenty of restaurants and guided nature walks.
Visited during Feb and March and did not have a problem with rain or fog.

[learntechwithruth]

I went in 2013, also a rainy day but that did nothing to dampen the experience. We stayed two nights in Aguascalientes overnight so it wasn’t too stressful. Nice Hostel with great hosts. This made the experience a lot more peaceful. You can go in the springs which we did and also get an Inca massage. That was wonderful. The 500 Inca steps on Machu Picchu were hard on me then as I had bad arthritis and needed help from my son in law and daughter who grabbed me one on each side. So practice your steps before heading there. Greatest experience for sure. They offer you coca tea so take advantage of that. I do not recommend for kids to go. Heard many stories of them getting altitude sickness. Also it’s easy to slip and fall up there. I was wondering just how many people fall to their death up there and they don’t report that. You never know. Great place though for sure.

[andreagriffiths]

The baths at Agua Calientes were awesome. Went in ‘96 and there was a group of kids throwing a beach ball. They stopped as soon as us foreigners entered. One of the guys in our group, took the ball, tossed it to a few of us, and then lobbed it back to the kids - they got the message and we all joined in.

The experience was vastly different than catching the tourist train in - we’d hiked for four days to get there. It was mindblowing! Got to see so much more and were blessed to see condors! And once you get to see the city for the first time before reaching it? Well, I cried. It was overwhelming. Well worth the sore knees and tiredness,

[rh]

I stayed in Aguas Calientes overnight and took the second bus up to MP in the morning. It was summer and the early morning fog burned off for magnificent views from about 10 am onwards. The place wasn’t crowded in the early morning. I booked Huayna Picchu awhile before and climbed up with fhe first cohort. The afternoon was relaxed and gorgeous. I then descended and caught a late afternoon train to Ollantaytambo. Visited it the next day and those stone terraces where the indigenous peoples fought the Spaniards were amazing. Then I took an afternoon train to Cuzco for a flight to Lima. I would highly recommend doing it this way. It is more relaxed than your schedule. And it minimizes the time at super high altitude in Cuzco. I get altitude sickness.