Common Mistakes Travelers Make in Machu Picchu
James Bustamante is Native to New York but born to Peruvian parents. He has been traveling throughout Latin America since early 2003 and finally made his home in Peru. James has made his way by eating and traveling through almost every country in Central and South America.
Last Updated on March 31, 2020 by James Bustamante
Picture yourself getting ready to visit Machu Picchu, you booked the perfect Peru tour package for yourself, pack what you think is necessary, drive to the airport and…you notice that you forgot your passport.
These things can happen. We decided to give a brief list of common mistakes travelers make in Machu Picchu (or getting there).
Table of Contents
You Forgot your Passport
Rule #1 of going anywhere in Cusco, make sure you bring a passport with you everywhere you go, especially when going to Machu Picchu.
The only way to get in is to show your entrance ticket and your updated passport at the gate. Notice I said updated, as you need to make sure your passport has more than 6 months before it expires, otherwise you won’t be let in.
This is non-negotiable and you will be denied entry. Also make sure that your entrance ticket information matches your actual passport as they will not let you enter otherwise.
If your passport expired between the day you booked your trip and the trip itself, bring both the old and new ones with you.
You Forgot to use the Bathroom
Another very important point, don’t forget to go to the bathroom while you’re in Aguas Calientes or even right outside of Machu Picchu.
There are no bathrooms within Machu Picchu itself. And the last thing you want to do is leave Machu Picchu right away, you’ll miss out on your tour as well as all the amazing pictures you could take.
Some people actually don’t care and try to use the ruins as their personal bathroom, which leads to the next point.
You Didn’t Follow the Rules
This should probably go without saying, but the entry rules also ban yelling or making a loud scene; climbing or spraying graffiti on the walls; eating; littering; running; and snapping nude photos.
This is an ancient, sacred monument (and a religious sanctuary for some), so it’s incredibly important to show respect.
And yeah, if you’re caught nude you will be handed over to Peruvian authorities and likely given a large fine, or worse.
You Didn’t Reserve Machu Picchu Tours or Accommodations.
Many people like to travel to different countries without making any sort of plan…they wing it.
However, basically everything in Cusco related to tourism is highly regulated and must be purchased / reserved well in advance, such as your Machu Picchu reservations or hiking the Inca Trail as an example, the Peruvian government only provides 500 permits per day.
Out of these 500 permits, almost 100 go to guides, porters and trekking staff, while the other 400 are divided between the Classic 4 Day Inca Trail and the shorter 2 Day Inca Trail.
Due to the incredibly high demand for the Classic 4 Day Inca trail, most people have to reserve spots from 5 to 8 months in advance.
This is also true for hotels as Cusco has become an incredibly popular tourist destination, most hotels get completely booked months in advance. It’s definitely something to look out for.
Remember that structured Machu Picchu Group Tours are the most affordable way to learn absolutely everything about the complex.
You Assumed You Would Not Need a Guide in Machu Picchu
It’s easy to bask in the sheer grandeur and majestic surroundings of Machu Picchu.
But to get beneath the surface, you need a guide. Sure, you can do a bit of your own research but the entire essence, feeling, and history of this Inca city is lost without an expert voice.
As part of our services, all guides must be certified by the ministry of tourism and provide at least 5 years of professional experience.
Packing Too Much Into One Day
Many people decide to visit Machu Picchu and do everything in a day, this includes all shuttles, trains and tours in the span of what really boils downs to 8 or 9 hours.
That’s a lot to fit in and many things can happen along the way, trains can break down, arrive to Huayna Picchu too late or lose out on the chance of having a certified tour guide.
We always advise staying overnight in Aguas Calientes so that you can take in the full Machu Picchu experience without having to hurry.
This will also give enough time to have your 2 hour guided tour as well as reach the Huayna Picchu entrance as it only has two schedules, one at 7 a.m. and then again at 10 a.m.
As such, following this advice you’ll get the incredible reward on being one of the first people to enter the site. Of course, if you simply can’t go early you can also go in the afternoon.
Traveler’s Tip: The ruins close at 5 p.m., so you’ll also encounter fewer crowds if you explore in the late afternoon.
Avoiding The Machu Picchu Wet Season
Many travelers avoid Machu Picchu in February because the famous Inca Trail is closed for maintenance. But it’s actually a great time to visit.
Not only are there fewer visitors, but you can still access the ruins via alternative trekking routes—such as the Salkantay or the Lares—which can be just as rewarding as the Inca.
Journey Machu Picchu offers both as they wind over towering green mountain sides.
These routes provide ever-changing landscapes with huge granite columns, shimmering lagoons and the glaciers along the way. Don’t expect to see any other foreigners, either.
In February, you’ll be the only one passing local Quechua women with babies strapped to their backs in rainbow-hued papooses, and men whistling and chirping as they chase llamas over the horizon.
Being Tempted by The Pisco (And Succumbing)
Maybe it’s unnecessary to warn against heavy drinking the night before visiting one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, but Peru’s national drink is no laughing matter.
Whipped with egg white and lemon juice, the eye-poppingly sweet pisco sour is so addictive that one innocent sip can easily lead to a full night of drinking.
The result: a hangover accentuated by the high-altitude Machu Picchu hike (8,000 feet), definitely not the way you should hike to Machu Picchu.
Something you definitely should do is have fun, take as many pictures as you can and take in the beauty of Machu Picchu.
If you want to know anything more about Peru, Cusco and Machu Picchu, check out the rest of our blog posts at Peru Travel Blog and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for our special packages
Frequently Asked Questions About Mistakes Travelers’ Make in Machu Picchu
Do I need any ID at Machu Picchu?
Yes. you need to have an updated international passport. This means that your passport must have at least 6 months or more left before it expires.
When should I reserve my trip to Machu Picchu?
Try to reserve your trip 3 to 6 months in advance.
When should I reserve the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?
Try to reserve the Inca Trail at least 6 months in advance as spots go very fast.
When should I travel to Machu Picchu?
It depends on what you prefer but the best weather is during the months of April to June.
Who issues the permits for the Inca Trail?
The permits are issued by the ministry of tourism in Peru and transferred to authorized Inca Trail operations like Journey Machu Picchu.
Do travel packages cover all basic travel needs to Machu Picchu?
Yes. Journey Machu Picchu packages provided everything from transportation to guides, tours, and entrance tickets.
