The Best Schedule For Machu Picchu
Michael continues to travel, searching for new business opportunities and fantastic trip experiences to offer travelers. You can find Michael testing unique tours and hotels around LATAM. He enjoys getting up early and a hot cup of coffee before getting a good workout and starting the day.
Last Updated on May 5, 2023 by James Bustamante
The best schedule for Machu Picchu will depend on your itinerary and preferences when it comes to crows and weather.
Machu Picchu’s Popularity
Did you know that Machu Picchu receives over 1.5 million visitors annually, with an average of approximately 2,500 people visiting daily? Interestingly, this number used to be even higher in the past!
Choosing the best time to visit the Inca citadel means the difference between hiking Machu Picchu in the morning or the afternoon. Machu Picchu now has “shifts” booked as time slots to enter and walk the complex. Some of our travel groups prefer to go in the morning, while others feel more comfortable taking the afternoon guided tour. Below we’ll review the pros and cons of hiking Machu Picchu in the morning and afternoon shifts.
Benefits Of Entering Machu Pucchu In The Morning
There are several benefits for travelers willing to wake up early in the morning to make it to Machu Picchu during the opening hours. I enjoy visiting the citadel in this early time slot but I am a morning person. So for all morning people and anyone set on taking the morning shift, please read on.
Avoiding Large Crowds
If travelers are willing to wake up early enough to make it to Machu Picchu by 6:00 am, they’ll have access to far less crowded Incan ruins. Avoiding large crowds in a world heritage site seems impossible; however, most people usually focus on later schedules, like 8:00 – 9:00 am entries.
Travelers getting to Machu Picchu at 6:00 am will have around an hour and a half to walk around the city without encountering too many people. This means it is easier to photograph the ruins, with little to no crowds at the various temples, and you’ll have the llamas and Alpacas primarily to yourself.
See The Sun Rising Over The Andes Mountains
If you are looking for the all-important shot of the sun rising over the Andes in the background, you’ll only be able to get it by visiting Machu Picchu in the morning. There is no other way to get that picture everyone wants. The first shift Machu Picchu tour is your route to success in this case.
More Time To Explore The Machu Picchu Site
Entering Machu Picchu early in the morning will give you more time to explore the Inca site before returning to Aguas Calientes. Once you enter the complex, you’ll have a few hours to hike before your permit shift ends. However, there is little control over who has which permit once you are in the complex. Some early birds stay up to an hour or two after their official permit shift ends and use that extra time to visit other sections of Machu Picchu.
Tips For Making The Most Of An Early Morning Entry
- Make sure to arrive early: Try to arrive at the entrance gate by 5:30 am to ensure that you are among the first visitors to enter Machu Picchu when it opens at 6:00 am.
- Book Machu Picchu tickets in advance: Make sure to purchase your entrance tickets to Machu Picchu in advance to avoid any last-minute hassle or disappointment.
- Dress appropriately: Wear comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes for walking on uneven terrain. It can be chilly early morning, so consider dressing in layers.
- Pack the essentials: Bring sunscreen, insect repellent, water, and snacks. A hat or cap, sunglasses, and a camera are also recommended.
- Take your time: Once inside, take your time to explore and appreciate the ruins. Enjoy the peacefulness and tranquility of the early morning, and take advantage of the fewer crowds to capture some stunning photographs.
- Take The Guided Tour: Booking a guided tour will enhance your experience, and you’ll learn more about Machu Picchu’s history and significance.
- Remember to rest: The early morning start can be tiring, so take breaks and rest when needed. Take a break at the cafe and enjoy the stunning view with a hot drink.
If you follow these tips, you can make the most of your early morning entry to Machu Picchu and have an unforgettable experience at this incredible world wonder.
Benefits Of Entering Machu Pucchu In The Afternoon
The afternoon entry schedule to Machu Picchu also offers several benefits over the morning shift. Not everyone is an early bird, so it makes sense that some travel groups will opt for an afternoon Machu Picchu day trip. More sleep is not the only benefit of planning an afternoon visit to the Inca citadel. Let’s check out some of the fantastic benefits of the afternoon shift.
More Comfortable Weather For Hiking Machu Picchu
One of the biggest benefits of hiking Machu Picchu in the afternoon is the weather. Temperatures will be warmer in the afternoon compared to the 6:00 am schedule and cooler than those that enter Machu Picchu mid-morning or early afternoon shifts (9:00 am, 11:00 am, 1200pm, 1:00 pm).
Fewer Crowds in The Afternoon Shifts
In general, the crowds at Machu Picchu tend to be lighter in the afternoon compared to the mid-morning rush. This is because most of the visitors that entered in the mid-morning have already have already explored the complex. By afternoon, many visitors have already begun to leave, meaning fewer people are everywhere.
As with any world heritage site, crowds can still be significant in the afternoon, during the peak travel season, but the 3:00 pm shift still offers smaller groups than most other schedules.
Potential For Better Lighting For Photography
If you’re planning to visit Machu Picchu and are into photography, consider entering in the afternoon instead of the morning. The lighting conditions can be better for capturing great photos in the afternoon, with softer and more even lighting. Sometimes the cloud forest can be a difficult location to work with in the mornings due to intense fog or early morning showers. This clears up by the mid-morning, and by the late afternoon (depending on the season), the landscape should be clear enough to take superb photographs.
Plus, the afternoon light can add depth and texture to your photos, creating stunning shadows and highlights on the ruins.
The afternoon entry time can also give you plenty of time to explore the site and find the perfect spot for capturing the sunset if that interests you. Remember that the lighting can vary depending on the time of year and weather conditions, so it’s a good idea to check the forecast before planning your visit.
Overall, visiting Machu Picchu in the afternoon can be an excellent option for photographers who want to capture stunning shots.
Before Choosing A Schedule For Machu Picchu, Consider The Following
There are benefits to taking your Machu Picchu hike in the early morning or late afternoon. Before you make a final decision on which schedule to book, consider the following points first.
Time of The Year and Weather Conditions
The time of the year you decide to travel to Peru can be a defining factor when choosing the best schedule for your Machu Picchu tour.
For example, if you book in June, the weather for Machu Picchu will be clear skies, with temperatures ranging from 44 degrees Fahrenheit (7 Celcius) to 83 degrees Fahrenheit (28 Celcius). The weather between late April and August is the best time to photograph the citadel, but it is also when more tour groups visit.
Booking between September and November offers less crowded trails in Machu Picchu, but there is the chance of a cloudy day and possibly rain. Photographs of Machu Picchu cutting through clouds with its jagged peaks also appeal to those looking to photograph the sanctuary.
Make sure to carefully weigh the pros and cons of each season with your travel advisor.
The Correct Travel Itinerary
The correct itinerary of a Peru tour package should not only include your preferred time to enter the Machu Picchu sanctuary, but it should also include transportation from Cusco to Aguas Calientes as well as the shuttle service up to Machu Picchu.
Typical Morning Shift Itinerary
If your Machu Picchu schedule is the early morning shift, the itinerary should have you arrive in Aguas Calientes the night before. Groups will spend the night before going to Machu Picchu early the following morning.
Typical Afternoon Shift Itinerary
If your entry to Machu Picchu is set for the afternoon shift, travelers can leave Cusco that same day, head to Aguas Calientes, and take the afternoon hike. After the guided tour, they can stay the night in Aguas Calientes or return to Cusco that evening.
Additional Activities For Your Peru Itinerary
Your travel advisor might also include activities before and after the guided tour. For example, it is typically a good idea to have some daily activities like the Sacred Valley tour to properly acclimate before doing any heavy hiking.
Other more intensive activities should be added after you’ve had time in the high elevation of Cusco and the cloud forest (slightly lower). Activities like the Rainbow Mountain tour take you to over 16,800 feet above sea level (5,000 meters) and can be intense if you have yet to spend a few days acclimating.
Conclusion
In conclusion, whether you enter Machu Picchu early in the morning or the afternoon, there are distinct benefits to each entry time that can enhance your experience. By considering factors such as weather conditions, personal preferences for crowds, and your overall travel itinerary, you can decide which entry time will work best for you.
