Machu Picchu Tours And What To Bring Along

By Author: James Peterson
Total Articles: 9
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Machu Picchu tours are a stop for almost any vacation booked through a Peru tour operator. This majestic Inca site was only discovered in the early 1900s, and its remote location kept it hidden from invading forces and saved it from destruction in centuries prior. The Peruvian government has kept the acreage surrounding Machu Picchu undeveloped to preserve this mark of pride for their country, but that also means you won't be close to many of the amenities you can find elsewhere in Peru. Knowing what to bring ahead of time can save you money and frustration when you head out on Machu Picchu tours.

The weather you encounter on Machu Picchu tours can be unpredictable, depending on the time of year you booked your trip with a Peru tour operator. To ensure your experience in the Inca city is a pleasant one, pack a collapsible umbrella and a jacket or sweater before you hop on the bus or start hiking toward Machu Picchu. It may not look like rain in Lima, but Machu Picchu can be more prone to rainfall. If you want to know what to prepare for specifically, you can ask your Peru tour operator about what kind of weather to ...
... expect during the time you will be there. Tour guides can also help you be prepared by giving you an idea of what the weather is like that day on the site.

Sturdy walking shoes are a must for Machu Picchu tours -- you will be walking around and through the city on dirt and stone paths, so this is no time for high heels or designer loafers. Especially considering the potential for rain, make sure you pack comfortable shoes you can walk in. If you wouldn't wear a pair of shoes to a large theme park, don't bring them to Machu Picchu either.

While your Peru tour operator may have arranged for a bus to take you to the site, you can also choose to hike to the Inca city. Even if you take a bus there, you can climb one of the two peaks on either side of the site: Machu Picchu peak or Huayna Picchu peak. Decide whether you will do this ahead of time so you can pack the proper equipment. You also must arrive early if you want to go down the Inca Trail or climb Huayna Picchu peak, as there are daily limits on how many people can do so in order to preserve them for future visitors. Ask your Peru tour operator if this they can arrange an early morning visit to ensure you get a spot.

Most Machu Picchu tours last several hours, and the trip there and back also takes some time. In the interest of saving money and ensuring you can eat when you want, bring along a few snacks, lunch and a couple bottles of water. While there are food options available once you reach your destination, the options they have are often expensive, since there is no nearby competition. Bringing your own food also ensures you can eat what you want, when you want it.

There are a few other items you shouldn't forget on any trip your Peru tour operator arranges, including your camera, extra camera batteries (or the charger) and some local currency. While you shouldn't carry too much money with you in a foreign city, there may be some souvenirs you want to pick up while you're there or a treat you just can't resist during Machu Picchu tours, so pack a few extra nuevo sol.

For more information on Machu Picchu tours from a Peru tour operator, email info@bestperutours.com.
Best Peru Tours is a U.S.-based, licensed and insured Peru tour operator dedicated to providing high quality, all-inclusive and customized tours to Peru, including Machu Picchu tours.