A Rainy-Season Journey to Machu Picchu, Peru
Some places live in your imagination as a bucket-list dream long before you ever book the flight, and Machu Picchu was exactly that for me. When a trip to Argentina came together, I tacked on an extra week in Peru just to finally see this place in person — and it did not disappoint.
The Journey from Cusco to Machu Picchu
Getting there is half the adventure. The route runs through Lima, Peru first — I’d suggest staying a while, since it’s a great home base before heading up into the Andes — then a flight into Cusco. From Cusco, it’s a car ride to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, followed by a scenic train into the town of Aguas Calientes at the base of the mountain. Every leg of the trip felt like its own small adventure, from the Andes peaks rolling past the train window to the quiet streets of Ollantaytambo, and I couldn’t resist photographing the scenery the whole way there.
Arriving at This Magical Place in the Clouds
Nothing quite prepares you for that first glimpse of the ruins emerging out of the fog. We visited during rainy season, and it took a few hours for the clouds to break and the rain to let up before the citadel fully revealed itself, terrace by terrace and stone wall by stone wall. Watching Machu Picchu slowly appear out of the mist made every minute of waiting worth it.
Why Rainy Season Was the Right Call
Visiting during the rainy season turned out to be indescribably lucky. Instead of sharing the site with the roughly 10,000 visitors a day who come through during the dry months — each limited to a strict two-hour window with a guide — I explored alongside just a handful of other travelers, with time to actually stand still and take it all in. I can’t imagine having seen Machu Picchu any other way.
If a bucket-list trip like this one has you dreaming up your own once-in-a-lifetime adventure, I’d love to help you capture it.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Machu Picchu from Cusco?
From Cusco, you’ll typically take a car to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, then a scenic train ride into Aguas Calientes, the gateway town at the base of Machu Picchu.
Is it better to visit Machu Picchu during the rainy season?
Rainy season means smaller crowds and a moodier, cloud-wrapped atmosphere, though you’ll want to be patient and prepared for the weather to shift throughout the day.
How many people visit Machu Picchu during peak season?
During the dry months, as many as 10,000 visitors a day can pass through, each limited to a strict two-hour window with a guide.
Comments Off on A Rainy-Season Journey to Machu Picchu, Peru