Peru – Machu Picchu at Sunrise
Nothing I write about Machu Picchu could do it justice. No matter when you visit, I am sure that Machu Picchu will knock your socks off. My very humble recommendation is be at the site when it first opens and see Machu Picchu at sunrise. This means you will need to catch one of the first buses at 5:30 am, but likely be in line at 4:30 am. Indeed, it is tough to wake up this early, but there is no better reward than having a moment alone in this incredible site. Keep reading for how to successfully and easily get to Machu Picchu at sunrise.
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Should I hike to Machu Picchu from Augas Caliente?
I realize that Machu Picchu is not inexpensive – $44 for the entrance ticket and $24 for bus ride. The bus ride is an added cost, but 100% worthwhile. It is possible to hike to Machu Picchu from Aguas Caliente, but I do not recommend it. The road to Machu Picchu is a steep series of switchbacks. It is an almost vertical accent with the end result of hiking to the bus drop-off location. I have a major rule never to hike to parking-lots. This rule was particularly helpful guidance because we popped off the bus, the people who hiked were completely winded, sweating, chugging water, and exhausted and up since 2 or 3 am.
We crowded the entrance and entered at the same time. Rebecca and I were full of energy, excitement, and ready to hike around the site. My takeaway: Hike a multi-day trek arriving to Aguas Caliente (we did the Salkantay Trek), see the Peruvian countryside, and feel good about not taking the bus. If you do the Inca trail, you will get to Machu Picchu via the sun gate by hiking in. If you decided to revisit Machu Pucchu (you should!), take the bus.
At a Glance:
- Rating: 4 (out of 4) stars, would absolutely do it again.
- Location: Top of a mountain, near Augas Caliente.
- Cost: $44/entrance tickets, $24 round-trip bus ride
- Restrooms: There is a restroom before you enter the site. You can only enter twice with your ticket, so go before you leave the hotel and before you enter the site.
Highlights:
- Even if the sun does not rise in the traditional sense, it will probably be a stunning reveal.
- Possibility to see the Machu Picchu, not swarmed with people.
- Insane views! It is so insanely beautiful.
Lowlights:
- Will get crazy busy as the day progresses.
Catching the Bus
Now that I have convinced to you to take the bus, it picks up in downtown Aguas Caliente. The buses begin picking up at 5:30 am, but people begin lining up at 4 am to be in one of the first buses. When the morning came, we arrived at the line around 4:35 or 4:45 am. Since the early morning lineup is a daily occurrence, our hotel breakfast was ready at 4:30 am. If you hotel does not have a breakfast buffet, there are vendors near the line that will be open. Have your passport and but tickets read, as they will begin checking them while you are waiting in line. The pre-check will expedite bus loading process. There were about 50 or so people ahead of us in the line. We were a little concerned, but the good news is that not one singular bus makes these runs.
At 5:28 am, bus after bus began arriving and doing an impressive turnaround at the bridge. We boarded the third bus (each bus holds around 25 people) and were off in no time. If you are nervous about heights and speeding cars, you may want to close your eyes for the 20 minute ride up the mountain. These bus drivers know the route like the back of their hands. They would speed on each flat section and slowing down only to take each hairpin turn of the switchbacks. We arrived about 5 minutes before the gates opened.
Entering Machu Picchu
After you pop off the bus, a huge crowd will form around the entrance with guides offering tours. It’s a little chaotic, but everyone is patient and quiet. You will need your ticket and passport to enter the site. They will scan or enter something from your passport and will not stamp it. If you want a beautiful Machu Picchu passport stamp, next to the restrooms/exit of the park there is a little stand where you can self-stamp your passport. Don’t worry about the stamp before you enter the site.
When you are entering site, it will start to get light. The morning we arrived, which was a Tuesday, there was a large crowd formed. It was getting lighter, but the sky was overcast. No chance of sun peaking through the heavy mist. Our hopes of a perfect sunrise melted away, but I remained excited to be there.
Once past the entrance gates, our guide took us up some stairs to the left. Even though we trekked at higher elevations in the days before arriving, the large, uneven steps at Machu Picchu were still a workout. We had no idea where we were going, but we arrived to a small flat area with a view of the clouds.
Pack this for Hiking Peru!
MACHU PICCHU AT SUNRISE
As we stood at the small flat area, our guide reminded us to be patient and launched into the entire history of Machu Picchu and the Inca civilization. We listened and watched as overcast mist began to move around. My heart swelled as the entire Machu Picchu site revealed itself before us. It was undeniable. The green grass terraces were the place that we have seen in all the postcards. We squealed, interrupting our guide. He paused to let us take in everything and some pictures at this platform. After we settled down, our guide continued, but I am not sure I completely heard the entire introduction. I was too excited.
Our tour took about 4 hours as we moved throughout the entire site. Our guide explained what each building, room, or structure meant in its original context. As for the weather, the mist clouds continued to move around, sometimes drizzling on us (bring a rain jacket or poncho!). Every now and then, the clouds would part and we could see everything in crystal clarity, like a magic trick. Although it was not a sunrise in the normal sense, I would not trade our experience for the world.
I didn’t realize on our tour how busy it was getting, while immersed in the tales of 1,000 varieties of potatoes and child sacrifices. But when our guide said goodbye and we took a restroom break, the amount of people were overwhelming. We decided to hike up to the Sun Gate and when we got back to the main site, it was difficult to move around. We had to duck and weave to not be in someone’s picture or to scoot around a slower moving person. It was overrun with people. I appreciated our early arrival that much more.
Overall Thoughts
Our entrance tickets, bus tickets, and tour guide were included in the tour package we got though Peru by Locals (love them – book them!). The tour made getting to Machu Picchu at sunrise easier, but it is possible to do on your own. Check online to see if any necessary information has changed since writing this post. After our tour we made our way the Sun Gate, which is a lovely hike to get another perspective of Machu Picchu. I loved Machu Picchu at sunrise, even though it was not a sunrise in the normal sense. Check out this another sunrise hike we did in Utah that was magical!
My biggest regret from Machu Picchu is not spending the money to visit the site again the next day at sunrise. We did the Salkantay Trek, which was so amazing, but we had chosen to visit Peru to spend time at Machu Picchu. Our tour was fantastic, but I didn’t realize how busy it would get later in the day. I would have loved to explore the ruins on my own during those quiet hours. Yes, it would have been expensive to get another entrance ticket, bus ticket, hotel night, and food… but I still wish I could have spent a few more moments alone at this historic mountain top location. I suppose this allows for me to do the Inca Trail and spend a longer time at Machu Picchu next time!
Have you trekked to Machu Picchu? If so, which trek did you do and did you love it? Let us know in the comments!
Happy Travels,
Hanna
