Machu Picchu in Pictures: Crazy Expensive, But Absolutely Worth It

by Miguel R. Quinones

In 2007, Machu Picchu was recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Since then, the number of tourists visiting this magnificent Inca city built in the 15th century has grown exponentially. Unfortunately, so have the costs associated with a visit to Machu Picchu. Between trains, buses and entrance ticket, you are looking at paying around $240 per person. And that does not even take into account guide fees or the additional fees required if you want to climb Huaynapicchu.

Notwithstanding the aforementioned costs, Machu Picchu is certainly one of those sights you need to visit at least once in your lifetime. As impressive as the Inca city is, the surroundings are even more stunning.

Below are some (amateur) pictures I took on my recent visit to Machu Picchu. Hope you enjoy them!

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Need assistance planning a trip to Perú? Please consider PMM Travel Consulting’s travel planning services.

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8 comments

Erica April 19, 2016 - 7:46 pm

My husband and I took a trip to Peru before we had kids. He actually lived there for a couple of years before we were married. We’ve been all around the world but I think Peru is in my top 5 destinations we have visited.

We had a little mix up when we went to Machu Picchu. We climbed Huayna Picchu and we were supposed to meet up with our tour guide at the base after we finished the climb. We waited and waited and he never showed up. It turned out that he thought he was supposed to wait for us at the entrance to Machu Picchu but since we didn’t have an international phone plan, there was no way for us to contact him. Luckily we had brought along a guide book and we were able to give ourselves a tour of the ruins. After overhearing some of the other guides, we were really happy that things worked out the way they did.

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rick b April 19, 2016 - 8:47 pm

I thought Peru was one of my cheapest trips ever. Park fee is $50 or so, not bad. I hired a driver for a one-way Cusco to Ollan day trip through the sacred valley (~$60), and paid for trains from there to AC and back to Cusco which was another $100. It’s a lot of money on paper but it’s also a lot of distance covered and attractions seen.

Wait till you get to Australia, where you’ll pay $60 for a zoo.

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Miguel R. Quinones April 19, 2016 - 9:01 pm

Rick, Peru in general is extremely cheap, no doubt about that. However, Machu Picchu itself isn’t.

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rick b April 20, 2016 - 5:37 am

Perhaps, but it’s a good value for the money, and if you plan carefully you can pay a lot less than some people do. Plenty of folks overpay for the trains and think try to book themselves into expensive hotels in the area, missing the point of trip.

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Frank April 20, 2016 - 6:27 am

Peru is an amazing country! Seriously one of the best and most fun countries I have ever visited. Plus, in Cusco, there are some amazing hotels!

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Miguel R. Quinones April 20, 2016 - 7:41 am

Frank, agree with you 100%. Perú is a real gem.

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Eric Andersen April 25, 2016 - 6:14 am

Crazy expensive? No…. Crazy enjoyable? You bet. I consider it the top trip in my 64 years of travel.

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Luis Salas April 26, 2016 - 10:01 pm

As a Peruvian I am proud that you all liked Peru.

For the 3rd time, last July.I went to Machu Picchu… but this time I did not take the train. We hiked the Inca Trail. Boy! That was something… however, I gotta tell you, it’s better to do it twice when you are 25 than once when you are 50… 🙂 That was a very tough (and rewarding) experience. By the time we got to MP we did not have the strength to hike the Huayna Picchu.

Something to look forward in our next visit…

Luis

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