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I take this to mean that you can actually go visit the site shown in the photo? The only pictures I recall ever seeing of Machu Picchu have been the ones overlo

I take this to mean that you can actually go visit the site shown in the photo? The only pictures I recall ever seeing of Machu Picchu have been the ones overlooking it from far away (like in the article). For some reason I thought normal people couldn't get much closer than that.

sixstringtheory 6y ago
Yes, you can walk through most of the ruins. A few were roped off for restoration/excavation. You can also climb up Huayna Picchu, the tall, sharp spire that sits behind the ruins from the classic vantage point. There are ruins at the top too, and you feel like you're floating in the sky.
moray 6y ago
You can and it is sort of a tourist trap. It is quite expensive to get there and not super easy and despite this when you get there you end up being one of the couple of thousands people visiting it every day. It felt way more people were there when I was visiting... The closest villages are setup for tourism, hotels, restaurants all over the place, ugly buildings built just for the purpose (often unfinished) in an otherwise beautiful valley. I am aware I was one among many but I wish the Peruvian government would regulate an protect more the site. I am guessing now it is the moment to go there though...
- ghaff 6y ago
  The Inca Trail and Machu Picchu is a trip I sort of wish I had taken 30 years ago but don't really have a desire to go at this point.
- mateus1 6y ago
  I went there a month before they cordoned off more sections. I don't see how it's a tourist trap. It's definitely hard to get there but it's completely worth it. I literally cried when I got there. Go to a lot of the museums and sites near Cusco before going there, they are great and you learn the imperial history.
- prepend 6y ago
  If you by way of the trail you get there at 530-6 or do before any buses arrive.
GordonS 6y ago
The photos of Machu Picchu from above are pretty iconic, but yes, you can wander around the ruins too. We went around 10 years ago and the atmosphere in the ruins was amazing, you could almost feel the history of the place. Also, there were lots of alpacas roaming the ruins too - someone mentioned they helped keep the grass short!
propogandist 6y ago
The landscape and far away shots are more iconic, but you can absolutely get closer and see the ruins. They were forcing one-way traffic for tourists within the ruins and there are some restricted areas when I was there last year. If you do decide to go, you should consider the Inca Trail, which (historically) has sold out ~6mo in advance as the govt limits # of people on the trail. We were among the first people to enter the ruins in the early AM and we had the place to ourselves briefly. The place was overrun with tourists within an hour and it was quite jarring after being able to enjoy the peace and beauty of the mountains for a few days. The journey to get to Machu Picchu was better than just visting the ruins alone, imo.

sixstringtheory 6y ago

Yes, you can walk through most of the ruins. A few were roped off for restoration/excavation. You can also climb up Huayna Picchu, the tall, sharp spire that sits behind the ruins from the classic vantage point. There are ruins at the top too, and you feel like you're floating in the sky.

moray 6y ago

You can and it is sort of a tourist trap. It is quite expensive to get there and not super easy and despite this when you get there you end up being one of the couple of thousands people visiting it every day. It felt way more people were there when I was visiting... The closest villages are setup for tourism, hotels, restaurants all over the place, ugly buildings built just for the purpose (often unfinished) in an otherwise beautiful valley. I am aware I was one among many but I wish the Peruvian government would regulate an protect more the site. I am guessing now it is the moment to go there though...

ghaff 6y ago
The Inca Trail and Machu Picchu is a trip I sort of wish I had taken 30 years ago but don't really have a desire to go at this point.
mateus1 6y ago
I went there a month before they cordoned off more sections. I don't see how it's a tourist trap. It's definitely hard to get there but it's completely worth it. I literally cried when I got there. Go to a lot of the museums and sites near Cusco before going there, they are great and you learn the imperial history.
prepend 6y ago
If you by way of the trail you get there at 530-6 or do before any buses arrive.

GordonS 6y ago

The photos of Machu Picchu from above are pretty iconic, but yes, you can wander around the ruins too. We went around 10 years ago and the atmosphere in the ruins was amazing, you could almost feel the history of the place. Also, there were lots of alpacas roaming the ruins too - someone mentioned they helped keep the grass short!

propogandist 6y ago

The landscape and far away shots are more iconic, but you can absolutely get closer and see the ruins. They were forcing one-way traffic for tourists within the ruins and there are some restricted areas when I was there last year. If you do decide to go, you should consider the Inca Trail, which (historically) has sold out ~6mo in advance as the govt limits # of people on the trail. We were among the first people to enter the ruins in the early AM and we had the place to ourselves briefly. The place was overrun with tourists within an hour and it was quite jarring after being able to enjoy the peace and beauty of the mountains for a few days. The journey to get to Machu Picchu was better than just visting the ruins alone, imo.