How much time to spend AT Machu Picchu?

[librarygirl]

Hi ladies,

This September I'll be traveling to Peru and the highlight of the trip will obviously be visiting Machu Picchu. We'll just be there for the day, taking the train from Ollantaytambo. I'm planning on getting early morning tickets but was wondering how much time is "recommended" to actually be at the ruins. We're not planning on climbing Huayna Picchu but I definitely want to make the most of this once in a lifetime visit. I've been to Chichen Itza and Teotihuacan before but both of those visits were with a group and so I didn't get nearly as much time as I would have liked at the ruins. Since this will just be us, I don't want to spend too much/too little at the ruins. For the record, I am a history nerd, love taking pictures, etc. I don't get bored easily by this stuff.

Also, I know that there is no food allowed on site. I read that there are stands selling snacks outside of the ruins. Would anyone recommend the buffet lunch at the hotel that's on the grounds? Or just eat something at one of the numerous restaurants in Aguas?

Thanks ladies in advance!

[frog]

If you're not planning on doing any of the hiking, I'd say a couple of hours at most. It's not a huge set of ruins. Unfortunately, when you take the train, the place will be crawling with tourists, so getting good pictures may be somewhat of a challenge. If you can rearrange your plans and do the whole Inca Trail, I'd highly recommend it. It's still one of my favorite experiences I've ever had.

I wouldn't eat at the hotel. I'd just eat in Aguas.

[wanderlustfoodie]

We spent an afternoon there and then the following morning, so several hours all-in throughout different parts of the day.

We arrived via train from Cusco and spent the afternoon wandering the ruins, then we stayed at the hotel there, then the following morning were there for sunrise and the following few hours. I did not think that was too much time, as ruins fascinate me.

[frlcb]

We stayed at the hotel that is there (Sanctuary Lodge) so I am not sure about food outside the ruins, although I remember there was some. We spent parts of two days wandering around but agree you could do it all in one day (a few hours, maybe 4-5 at most) if you didn't want to do other parts, like Huayna Picchu or the Sun Gate (which I loved)

[anna7602]

We hiked in and took the train out. We spent about a full day there total, hiking in to watch the sun rise and then taking a train back to Cuzco in the afternoon.

I don't remember the food being an issue, but I was there in 2001. I may have had lunch at Aguas Calientes, but that part is foggy.

[librarygirl]

Thanks ladies for all the replies!

Frog-our itinerary is set so no wiggle room. I do plan on getting tickets for the first train of the day from Ollanta which departs there at 5 AM I believe. I realize it will be far from deserted.

You only need tickets (in addition to the regular MP tickets) to climb Huayna Picchu, correct? I am intrigued by the Sun Gate though.

[sunshinedaydreams]

We also did the Inca Trail, and IMO, that was way better than actually touring Machu Picchu. The Sun Gate isn't much to see either, IMO. We came through and it was a ZOO. You got views of Machu Picchu from a far distance, but it wasn't anything to write home about. It was just a block wall.





I think we spent ~5-6 hours at Machu Picchu and that seemed to be enough. I would recommend, even if you're going by yourself, to join a tour group. There is a lot there and a lot we wouldn't have known what it was without a guide.

[frlcb]

I loved Sun Gate, but we did it early in the morning since we stayed at Sanctuary Lodge. I think the views down onto Macchu Picchu were pretty spectacular - not just from the top but along the walk too.

[lolo]

@frcib, gosh, that view is stunning.

We need to save up for this trip, dammit. It has been top of my list for ages, but we focused on Europe while we lived there, then moved back and had J. Sigh. I need to make this happen in the next few years.

[Brit]

5-6 hours at Machu Picchu, then another 5-6 hours for Wayna Picchu.

[osumelissa]

We did the Inca Trail hike which was way better than actual Machu Picchu. I would definitely recommend the Sun Gate as the views from the top and then coming back down are awesome. I cried when we arrived at the Sun Gate last year (it was our anniversary and we were done with the hike). I would say you need about 4-5 hours at Machu Picchu.