Machu Picchu Ruins & Archaeology Tours & Trip Packages

Machu Picchu Ruins & Archaeology Tours & Trips

486 Machu Picchu trips. Tours from 140 tour companies. 1,330 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating.

129 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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Ruins & Archaeology
Peru, Tierra Inca 2023
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5/5 Excellent
14 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Cusco, Lima, Sacred Valley

Highlights

  • Peru, one of the most mysterious countries in Latin America, attracts tourists.
  • Machu Picchu is the most mysterious city lost in the mountains!
  • Lima is a city of kings and exquisite architecture!
  • Cuzco is the ancient capital of the Incas!

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Photography

What travelers are saying

"The brilliant excursions! Dear Richele! I am writing you with gratitude for organizing the brilliant excursions for our group of 16 people! They came back from Brazil very happy and really satisfied! So, many-many thanks to you and your wonderful team! Looking forward to our next cooperation) Kind Regards, Anna Zboranska Exotic Department TRAVEL PROFESSIONAL GROUP"

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Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - 2D/1N
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By Action Peru Treks
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Aguas Calientes, Cusco, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, Sacred Valley

Highlights

  • The two-day Inca Trail with camping involves six to eight hours of hiking, passing the Inca sight of Chachabamba, Wiñay Wayna, and ending at the Sun Gate above Machu Picchu. It’s followed by a night camping at the base of Machu Picchu where the dinner and breakfast would be be cooked by our professional chef plus a day exploring the ruins of Machu Picchu on day 2.

Themes

High Adventure, Hiking & Walking, Nature & Wildlife, Train & Rail Journeys, Trekking & Expeditions

What travelers are saying

"The 4 day inca trail trek is an experience of a lifetime. We were lucky with the weather - cold in the early morning starts, but luckily no rain or snow. Certianly need to dress for all seasons as it does warm up during the day. The overnight stays in the tents were basic but with the nice touch of warm water delivered in the morning for a quick wake-up wash. So many stairs but worth it for the scenery..Thanks Action Peru Treks."

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Peru, The Way Of The Incas
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Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Wheelchair Accessible
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Aguas Calientes, Andes Mountains, Cusco, Lima, Ollantaytambo, Sacred Valley, Urubamba

Highlights

  • 5 nights hotel accommodation
  • 3 nights camping along the Inka Trail
  • Private transfers in Lima and Cusco
  • Private city tour of Lima visiting Plaza de Armas, Palacio de Gobierno, Cathedral of Lima, and the Municipalidad (City Hall), La Casa Aliaga and Convento de Santo Domingo (Santo Domingo Convent)
  • Private Cusco City Tour and Sacred Valley Tour
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Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"My friends and I had a wonderful, wonderful Italian vacation this spring. Our Sky Vacations consultant put together an amazing package for Rome, Florence and Venice. This was our first trip so we experienced everything that a first trip should include. Each hotel was perfect! Thank you!"

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Charming South America
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By Across South America
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
5/5 Excellent
65 reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Buenos Aires, Cusco, Lima, Machu Picchu, Rio de Janeiro

Highlights

  • Beauties of Rio de Janeiro
  • Iguazu Falls and bird watching
  • Discover Buenos Aires Tango and Gaucho Culture
  • Food and history in Cusco
  • Explore the Sacred Valley of Inkas
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Themes

Culinary & Wine, Cultural, Education / Learning, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, Festivals & Special Events

What travelers are saying

"I highly recommend Across South America for a memorable experience that is personalized for YOU."

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Inca Trail Express Trek to Machu Picchu 2D/1N
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By Bamba
preferred
4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Aguas Calientes, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo

Highlights

  • Traverse the ancient Inca Trail Hike through the Sun Gate to Machu Picchu See this magical site in the early morning light

Themes

Cultural, High Adventure, Hiking & Walking, Nature & Wildlife, Trekking & Expeditions, Photography

What travelers are saying

"We had an amazing experience in South Korea thanks to Bamba. The itinerary was well-planned, the transportation was comfortable, and the tours were unforgettable. We would definitely book with them again!"

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Best of Peru with Machu Picchu
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By Odynovo
premier
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Why we love them
They are able to handcraft custom trip plans in over 70 different destinations worldwide.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Aguas Calientes, Cusco, Lima, Ollantaytambo, Sacred Valley

Highlights

  • Visit the site of Qorikancha
  • Journey to the Sacred Valley
  • Explore the magnificent ruin site of the Inca Empire Machu Picchu
  • Walk through Plaza de Armas

Themes

Cultural, Photography

What travelers are saying

"I cannot say enough good things about Odynovo, both on the coordination end (we worked with Laura Li, who was fantastic!) to the on-site people (shout out to our airport contact in Cairo Hassan, our skilled driver Ahmed, our fun Cairo guide Mai, and our knowledgable Aswan/Luxor guide Hazem - BEST crew EVER!!!) who make your trip a seamless, safe, exciting, educational, and all-around transformative life highlight. This experience was seriously a bucket-list one for my husband and me, and I can NOT emphasize enough how important the Odynovo team was to making Egypt an infinitely easier context to navigate. If you've watched travel vloggers and social media influencers attempt to navigate Egypt on their own and complain about a negative experience, fear not - if you go with Odynovo, every. single. thing. will be taken care of. There is NOTHING to worry about, and the experience was entirely positive. The people, the food, the culture, the historical sites and stories - with Odynovo taking care of all the logistical details, these are the only things you need to focus on. I am full of gratitude for the experience I had in Egypt, and I credit Odynovo for it. I will absolutely use them in the future for other destinations, and I urge you to do the same. I know my Egypt experience would not have been nearly the same had I not gone with Odynovo. Check out our adventure here: https://youtu.be/vMlAmVk7vBY Also, a passionate recommendation from my experience: DEFINITELY make the trip to Abu Simbel!! It was a major highlight (we went in a private car that left Aswan around 9am since we'd flown in from Cairo that morning). We stopped at the High Dam first, so by the time we arrived at Abu Simbel, the tour busses were on their way back to Aswan, and we had the whole of the site almost entirely to ourselves. It was one of the most awe-inspiring moments of my life. Do it. Stay the night in Abu Simbel if you can in order to avoid the crowds. It was amazing. ✨"

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Best of South America Tour 13 Days
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By Say Hueque
preferred
4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Why we love them
They have extensive knowledge of Argentina and the surrounding region and their specialists have visited the destinations they send travelers to.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Aguas Calientes, Buenos Aires, Cusco, Iguazu Falls, Iguazu National Park, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, Rio de Janeiro, Sacred Valley, Urubamba

Highlights

  • Travel to South America
  • Enjoy Cuzco Tours
  • Experience Amazing Machu Picchu Excursions
  • Travel to Buenos Aires
  • Enjoy the Tour Iguazu Falls
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Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and your team for a fantastic holiday in Argentina! We loved the country and the people. The highlights for us was Iguazu Falls, the wine tour & the little hotel in Mendoza and the Glacier trekking. The Glacier was amazing!!! All flights were on time and your guides were always there to meet and great. Please pass on a special thank you to Carla who looked after us in BA and kept in touch all through our travels. Thanks again to Lujan, who did a fantastic job putting it all together and we will recommend you and your company to all our friends & family."

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Peru & Brazil
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5/5 Excellent
14 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Buzios, Cusco, Iguazu Falls, Lake Titicaca, Lima, Machu Picchu, Puno, Rio de Janeiro

Highlights

  • Visiting Peru is taking a journey to the country of mysteries
  • Ancient ruins of Sacsayhuaman and the Inca shrine of Qenqo in Cuzco
  • Roaring Urubamba River and Alpine Lake Titicaca
  • Rugged canyons and towering sand dunes.
  • Machu Picchu, hidden in the mountains.
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Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, Photography

What travelers are saying

"The brilliant excursions! Dear Richele! I am writing you with gratitude for organizing the brilliant excursions for our group of 16 people! They came back from Brazil very happy and really satisfied! So, many-many thanks to you and your wonderful team! Looking forward to our next cooperation) Kind Regards, Anna Zboranska Exotic Department TRAVEL PROFESSIONAL GROUP"

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Health Safety

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Machu Picchu Reviews & Ratings

4.8/5  Excellent
1,330  Reviews
See all Machu Picchu tour reviews
Excellent
1,104
Great
253
Average
21
Disappointing
5
Terrible
3
A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Qué paja el Perú !

Before I went on this holiday, anyone I talked to about Peru seemed to equate it principally with Machu Picchu and Inka trails. Frankly, as beautiful and wondrous...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Awesome Peru

Very long bus rides but to great places. Beautiful sunny day at Machu Picchu. Fernando - very enthusiastic, full of detailed knowledge, always keen to do the best...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Brilliant Adventure

What a brilliant time we had on our recent visit to Peru. From the moment we met our guide Sebastian at Lima airport the fun started. The itinerary was full on but...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

An amazing trip of a life-time!

This was my first experience of Exodus and I was very impressed. All of the communication prior to travelling was excellent and this continued with my arrival in ...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Perutastic

A great and very enjoyable trip with a very good guide / tour leader (Daniel). Such varied culture, food and scenery too. I felt like I learned and saw a lot. My ...

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Machu Picchu Tour Selection Trips

  • Book your Machu Picchu tour well in advance! Machu Picchu tickets sell out days, weeks, and even months ahead, especially for spots hiking the highly coveted Incan trail. Booking early can ensure that your trip will go smoothly and you will get to see everything you want to during this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
  • Take a tour to truly understand the history of some of the more incredible monuments, but also leave some time to explore the ruins for yourself and connect with the “apus” or spirits of the mountain.
  • Bring altitude medicine and don’t forget to acclimate. You may be at the highest altitudes of your life and a journey plagued by altitude sickness is not ideal.
  • Bring layers at all times, the Peruvian Andes can sometimes require a jacket and at other times you may simmer in tropical heat. 
  • Avoid the rainy season of January and February but also consider avoiding the high tourist months of June through August. Often, trips in April, May, September, and October lead to the best weather with fewer crowds
  • During your tour...

    Arrive at Machu Picchu early. You will beat the tourist rush that hits between 10am and 3pm. Also, the sunrise over Machu Picchu is not to be missed.
  • Certain food is not allowed inside. Eat a big breakfast and take a lunch break outside of the ruins before returning for more exploration.
  • Don’t forget to take a photo of yourself in the “classic postcard view” to be found just beside the Guardian’s hut.
  • With all of the trekking, hiking, and sightseeing options, it is easy to try to take on too much -- keep in mind that even the best Switzerland tours don't tackle all of the Swiss Alps in one day. The altitude and weather will make your trip challenging enough. Try to relax and take the experience slowly. This will allow you to enjoy yourself as well as appreciate the mystical setting of Machu Picchu. 

Additional details

Coronavirus Travel Update for Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is set to open on November 1st, 2020, after a 7 month closure.

The closure has been devastating for the country of Peru. Machu Picchu is one of the world's most popular tourist attraction, drawing millions of visitors every year - contributing heavily to Peru's local economy. 

Visitors will have their temperature taken, masks are required, as is adherence to standard social distancing.

How to Get to Machu Picchu

You can get to Machu Picchu in many different ways. If you choose to visit by hiking the Inca Trail, you must reserve these tours far in advance. The Inca Trail only allows tickets for 500 people per day on the trail, including porters and guides. This leaves 200 spots open for trekkers! So be sure to reserve your tour at least 6 months prior to departure.

You might also choose to tour Machu Picchu via the two other main treks: Lares or Salkantay. These take a day or two longer than the Inca Trail, but tend to be less crowded.

If hard core trekking in altitude is not your cup of tea, never fear! Machu Picchu is also accessible via the train from Cusco. This is a great option for older traveler and families with young kids. The train is fitted with large viewing windows, and you can take in the other historic sites of Peru along the way as you approach Aguas Calientes.

Machu Picchu is an UNESCO World Heritage Site, so on your tour of the famous ruins, it’s important to stay on marked paths, and respect the ruins. Travel on a tour to learn about the Incan history of Peru, and the archaeological history of the site itself. 

The Best Time to Tour Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is open for tours all year round. The Inca Trail is also open all year, except for February, when the trail is closed for maintenance. You need to first determine if you want to tour Machu Picchu in the Dry Season (April - September) or the Rainy Season (October - March).

January and February are generally thought to be the worst months to tour Machu Picchu. You will likely experience a lot of rain, which means you’ll also encounter a lot of mud and the stone pathways will be very slippery. You also won’t be able see Machu Picchu at sunrise, which many travelers strive for.

The cloud cover will be very heavy, usually not clearing until 9am when the sun is already up. On the flipside, this is the lowest point of the year for crowds, so if you want to see Machu Picchu without many other tourists around, choose a time during the rainy off season.

Between April and September, you’re likely to have less crowds at the end of the dry season. May, June, July, and August are the busiest months. This is when Northern Hemisphere travelers plan their summer vacations, and many people around the world get out of school.

Machu Picchu: Altitude and Altitude Sickness

Machu Picchu sits at a staggering 7,970 feet above sea level, in the heart of the Peruvian Andes. Because of this, there is a risk of getting altitude sickness, although it is rare.

The symptoms of altitude sickness include lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea, and shortness of breath. If any of this happens, descend until you begin to feel better. You should remain hydrated, and avoid smoking or drinking alcohol.

If you have had altitude sickness before, look into potentially taking a preventative medication, like Diamox, or drinking coca leaf tea as a natural remedy.

Machu Picchu Facts

  1. Machu Picchu is one of the seven wonders of the world.
  2. The name “Machu Picchu” means “Old Mountain”
  3. It was built in the middle of the 15th century (1450s).
  4. The buildings on site are remarkable for two reasons: the massive stones were cut to fit exactly together without mortar or cement, and moved up the steep mountainside by hand.
  5. It is widely believed that Machu Picchu was built as a royal residence for the Incan king Pachacuti.
  6. The city was abandoned and forgotten until 1911, when it was rediscovered by an American archaeologist named Hiram Bingham.
  7. After Bingham’s discovery, he transported dozens of artifacts, including mummies, silver, and pottery, back to Yale University for study. The entire collection was only completely returned in 2012.
  8. Machu Picchu can be subject to earthquakes. The Incas not only knew this, but built their buildings tilting inwards to help enforce them.
  9. Despite archaeological evidence, group called the New Age Andean Cosmologists believe that aliens built Machu Picchu.
  10. Nobody knows why Machu Picchu was abandoned, although some believe it may have been because of an outbreak of smallpox.
  11. Machu Picchu was a site of human and animal sacrifice, as was common in Incan culture.

What to Wear & Machu Picchu Weather

Machu Picchu has a rainy season between November and March. At this time, the surrounding villages are prone to mudslides and flooding.

However, because of its proximity to the Amazon Jungle, there is always a possibility of rain when visiting Machu Picchu. The warmest months to visit Machu Picchu are between May and October, where temperatures can reach up to 80 degrees. However, we still recommend wearing closed-toe, athletic shoes or hiking boots in case it rains (the pathways can become very slippery if wet).

If you are staying overnight or camping along the various treks to the Lost City, make sure you bring especially warm clothing -- because of the altitude, temperatures tend to plummet at night.

Machu Picchu and Over Tourism

One growing problem for Machu Picchu is over tourism. The city, which was virtually unvisited 100 years ago, now sees thousands of tourists each day. This crowds the thin, snaking roads that lead to the site, and has come with other problems. With tourists overwhelming the number of guards, some visitors have taking to marking or stealing stones from the city.

In response to these issues, the Peruvian government has begun to rope off certain attractions, and limit the number of visitors allowed on the grounds at once. Another solution to the problem that is being considered is that guided tours will be mandated.

With all this being said, now is a better time to visit Machu Picchu than ever!

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