If you have a little energy, you can participate in some excursions with a little preliminary work. Make sure you’ve taken the time to acclimatize to the altitude, either in Cuzco or Aguas Calientes at least a couple of days in advance.

Wayna Picchu

Located at the northern end of Machu Picchu is the steep mountain, often the backdrop for many photos of the ruins. It seems a bit complicated from below, but it’s not an unusually difficult ascent, and most fit people shouldn’t have any trouble getting up. Along most of the route you will find stone stairs, and in the steeper sections steel cables as a support railing. That said, we hope to be out of breath, and be careful in the steeper parts, especially when it is wet, as it can become dangerous. There is a small cave at the top that must be passed through, and it is quite low and tight. Be careful at the top, it can be somewhat precarious.

The walk is through a beautiful landscape and the views from the top are breathtaking. There are also ruins near the top. This walk is one of your best bets to escape from Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu in groups.

Access to Wayna Picchu is limited to 400 visitors per day. You must register at the front door, and take note of your number. The first 200 numbers are released at 7 a.m. and the second from 200 at 10 a.m. All visitors must arrive back at the checkpoint before 16:00 h.

Eating in Machu Picchu

Officially, you are not allowed to bring food or bottles of water to the park, and this should be checked in the luggage store at the entrance. In practice, however, bags are rarely searched, and most people have no problem carrying a small bottle of water and something to snack on, something you’ll definitely want to do especially if you’re about to get away from the central set of ruins. Buy all of that in advance, as prices in the same place are much more expensive. Don’t even think about leaving a trash trail behind you.

The food stall near the entrance to the site is lamentable in its offer and becomes very busy at lunchtime. Once on the site, it is not possible to buy food or beverages.

Tinkuy Restaurant Buffet, Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, Tel. 51 84 21 1039-1038. 11:30 to 15:00 hrs. Casual and very expensive buffet lunch. The food is decent, and is very popular at lunch time. $33, S/.96.00.

Tampu Restaurant Bar, Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge. Open only to hotel guests, prices are high as well.

Hostels and lodging in Machu Picchu

Due to the fact that this is a protected park, construction in this area is almost impossible. So, there is currently only one very expensive hotel on the same site. You can also spend the night in a less expensive hotel near Aguas Calientes.