4 Best Sights in Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, Peru

The exquisite architecture of the massive Inca stone structures, the formidable backdrop of steep sugarloaf hills, and the Urubamba River winding far below have made Machu Picchu the iconic symbol of Peru. It's a mystical city, the most famous archaeological site in South America, and one of the world's must-see destinations.

How to Visit: You must purchase your ticket by selecting one of four circuits, or routes (a fifth is reserved for those walking the Inca Trail) and the hour that you plan to enter. The first slot begins at 6 am, and these continue hourly through to 3 pm, the final entry slot of the day. You cannot backtrack on the route and the only tickets that allow you to leave and reenter Machu Picchu are the two (Circuits 3 and 4) that include access to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. Circuits 1 and 2 allow the classic photo of Machu Picchu from the House of the Guardian, with Circuit 2 being the most complete to visit the majority of Inca structures. According to regulations, a licensed guide must accompany you, although this is not necessarily enforced. Either way, you will have just 2½ hours at the site from entrance to exit, so hiring a guide will enhance your experience considerably.

You can purchase all tickets by yourself online using a credit card at  www.ticketmachupicchu.com or  www.machupicchu.gob.pe. It’s advisable to do so at least a month in advance. If you have your heart set on hiking Huayna Picchu, make sure to book the ticket at least two to three months in advance, or even more during the high tourist season. 

One of the world's signature outdoor excursions, the four-day Inca Trail (Camino Inca) is a 43-km (26-mile) section of the stone path that once extended from Cusco to Machu Picchu. Nothing matches the sensation of walking past the Intipunku, or Sun Gate, just as the sun casts its first yellow glow over the ancient stone buildings. The trip is best done from May to September because by November rain makes the trail muddy and difficult, though it only closes for one month each winter for maintenance. Because of the trip's popularity, SERNANP (the organization overseeing the trail) limits participants to 500 per day. A guide is required, and you'll usually have cooks and porters, but you still need to be in decent shape; altitude sickness is always a concern. Although the camps themselves have toilets, the trail does not, so this is real camping and fairly strenuous, requiring some preparation in addition to the costs.

A warren of vendors' stalls lines the couple of blocks between the train station and the bus stop for shuttle transport up to the ruins. You can find some souvenirs here that you may not see in Cusco. The prices for crafts such as textiles, bags, and magnets may or may not be cheaper (this largely depends on your negotiating skill and patience), but it's a great way to spend time before your train leaves.

The museum—dedicated to the history, culture, and rediscovery of Machu Picchu—sits on the way up to the ruins about 2 km (1 mile) from the edge of town at the entrance to the national park. Walking is the best way to get here. Plan on about a 30-minute hike. You'll get a bit more insight at the Casa Concha Museum in Cusco, where the repatriated artifacts returned from Yale University are being exhibited, but there are some interesting pieces on display here, some recovered as recently as 2004. Admission also includes entrance to a small but interesting botanical garden at the same site.