Location: Machu Picchu Mountain, Machu Picchu District, Urubamba Province, Cusco Region.

Distance from and to:

• Cusco Train Station (Wanchaq District): 112 kilometers by train - 4 hours by train (available for locals only)
• Poroy Train Station (Poroy District): 89 kilometers by train - 3 hours by train
• Ollantaytambo Train Station (Ollantaytambo Districl): 44.5 kilometers by train - l hour and 30 minutes by train
• Santa Teresa Train Station (Santa Teresa Districl): 15 kilometers by train - 30 minutes by train and 4 to 5 hours by foot
• Aguas Calientes (aka Machu Picchu Town): 8 kilometers by bus - 20 minutes by bus

• Important: Starting on July 2017 all travelers and tourists entering Machu Picchu must hired the service of a tour guide. This service should be arranged in advance (do not wait until getting to the site to hire one.) Also, it is necessary to purchase 2 entrance tickets if planning to spend all day long in Machu Picchu.
• The Machu Picchu Site is strictly regulated and the UNESCO assesses the conditions of the site quite frequently. These regulations include a maximum number of visitors per day. For instance, 2,500 people can visit Machu Picchu per day, 500 people can access the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu per day, 400 people can access the Huayna Picchu Mountain per day, and 800 people can access the Machu Picchu Mountain per day.
• The traditional way to visit Machu Picchu is by taking a train from the train stations of Poroy, Urubamba, or Ollantaytambo to the train station of Aguas Calientes (aka Machu Picchu town). Peru Rail and Inca Rail are the only companies offering this service. From Aguas Calientes a bus can be token to the entrance gate of the Machu Picchu Site for USD 12.00 each way (USD 12.00 for children both ways). It is possible to hike from Aguas Calientes to the Machu Picchu Site. (This is a constant ascent that takes about 2 hours.)
• There is an alternative way to get to Machu Picchu, which is vio Santa Teresa Town. This route is cheaper, but it demands more time. From Cusco it can take about 8 hours to get to Machu Picchu, but that all depends on availability of transportation in the small towns of Santa Maria and Santa Teresa. Also, this route is not popular yet, and most of the tour providers operating this route aren't trust worthy.
• For trekkers who want to live the amazing experience of getting to Machu Picchu by foot, the Inca Trailis available ondean be hiked in l day or 4 days. Other trekking routes, such as the Salkantay Trek, are also available. Even though these treks don't end in Machu Picchu, they usually include a visit to Machu Picchu and are equally beautiful (regarding landscapes) .
• Entrance tickets aren't available for sale at the entrance gate of the Machu Picchu Site. Tickets need to be purchased online, in Cusco, or in Machu Picchu town. At the entrance gate, you will be asked for your ticket and your passport. If you would like to access the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountains, you will need to buy a ticket which includes both,the access to the Machu Picchu Site and the Mountain of your preference. (Tickets are not sold separately.) Also, if you are hiking the Inca Trail and you would like to access the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountains, you will need to purchase a ticket as well. (Your Inca Trail ticket doesn't include the entrance ticket to any of these mountains.)
• A standard guided tour of Machu Picchu takes about 2 hours with groups usually as big as 20 to 25 people. This standard tour includes only a visit to the main temples and rooms of the citadel. Some tour companies arrange private tours; the duration of these tours can be arranged with the company. Also, it is important to know that Machu Picchu is a place where you can spend a day or two easily without visiting the same places twice. Observing the sunset or the sunrise is a unique experience.
• Next to the entrance gate are a storage room, an expensive snack bar, and bathrooms. Once you pass the entrance gate, you won't find bathrooms or a place to eat. Also, next to the entrance gate the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge offers a buffet-style lunch, but reservations need to be made in advance.
• Travelers should bring comfortable shoes (tennis shoes or hiking boots) as well as a hat, sunscreen, and water proof outerwear. (The rainy season goes from November to March but in Machu Picchu it can rain at any time.) Also, insect repellent is needed while in Machu Picchu Town.
• If coming with hiking poles, a rubber tip must be placed in each hiking pole; otherwise the poles won't be allowed inside the site

 Restrictions:

• Walking inside the main buildings or on top of walls is not allowed.
• Access the site without a tour guide.
• Access the site with tripods, camera supports (digital or mobile), camera or phone extensors, backpacks bigger than 40x35x20 centimeters, strollers, food, alcohol, knives.