Hi all. We are going to Machu Picchu in October and need to clarify the how and where of tickets. We will be staying for 3 days...arriving late morning, staying the whole next day and then leaving the following afternoon.

So..the questions:

1. Am I correct that I need 3 separate day admission tickets (that being there are no multi-day tickets)?

2. Also I have read that the tickets are only good for 3 days after purchase (so that I cannot on my first day in Cusco buy a ticket if I will be in Machu Picchu for my first day at MP 5 days later).

3. If only good for 3 days after purchase, when does the time start (that day or the next day). Specifically I will be in Cusco on October 1st. I believe I need separate tickets for October 2, 3 and 4. No problem with the first 2 days, but what about the third? I would like to get everything done in advance as I am staying at the Sanctuary Lodge and really would not like to have to run back to AC.

4. Last question: based on what I have read tickets are limited...is there a risk that the tickets sell out?

Thanks in advance for any assistance!

Buy the tickets when you arrive in Aguas Calientes.

There is no longer any risk of tickets selling out. That was old info when the train tracks had washed out. As was the info that you had to buy your tickets in Cusco. Ignore all of that now.

Yes each day is a separate admission.

Ah..that's a relief. Thanks!

read Ruth Wright MP Revealed guide book

MP is small you will get bored over 3 days

Most come in the night before to AC

buy their ticket go up for sunrise and HP climb

spend the day and train out to SV/Cusc MUCH

prettier than AC more to do...

www.andeantravelweb.com/AC just a way station really

makes no sense to pay $120 to do the same spot over and over

I agree that 3 days is a lot, probably too much, but OP didn't ask. They must be taking the Hiram Bingham. It would be better to just take it one way, on Day 3 come back earlier via Ollantaytambo, see some of the SV on the way back to Cusco instead. For two days they can hike to the various spots away from the main citadel, assume they will want to do sunrise Day 2. I would have chosen the Inkaterra instead of the Sanctuary for night 3, they have some on site activities and hikes.

Actually Vistadome! We are spending time (5 days) before M/P in Cusco and Sacred Valley. We are both photographers and want to do lots of pictures in different light and some hiking. Actually a little wind down and slow time! Thanks all.

Plus not really 3 days. One afternoon, one full fay, one morning!

Are you professional photographers? I ask because last year there was a flurry of posts on different travel forums about people being charged US$300 to enter MP if they were (or judged to be) professional photographers. After a bit of input, it was determined that large tripods are not allowed in MP although some people were seen using small ones. Sometimes a guard told them not even these were allowed and made them check them at the gate and sometimes no one noticed. There was another report that lenses over 200mm were indications of a professional (at least by the guard at the gate). Bottom line if you are not professional and don't want to be mistaken for one, keep your equipment discreetly in the smallest day pack you can. Don't tempt fate with a large tripod.
It may not be an issue any more, but I would hate for anyone to turn up at the entrance to MP and get a big surprise.

You will certainly be asked to not use a large sturdy pro tripod with steel tips. If I was quick and not in anyones way I was able to get off some shots with a travel tripod with rubber tipped feet. Had an amateur camera.

Bookmarking

you can buy the ticket when you get Aguas calientes, no worries no limit of tickets for Machu Picchu

Thanks for the concerns...just very serious amateur hobbyists! Never travel with large tripods...just minis!

You will love Ollantaytambo..Late afternoon has great lighting on the collcas, so I would try to spend at least one night there.