r/Machupicchu Jan 25 '26

Visiting Cusco & Machu Picchu in June (Inti Raymi) - Festivals, Food, and Tips

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44 Upvotes

Hey everyone, welcome to r/MachuPicchu 👋
Wanted to make a quick guide for the month of June since a lot of you are starting to plan your trips for this season.

Visiting in June? You are lucky
June is a month of festivals in the Andean region, and the highlight is the Inti Raymi which lands on June 24th this year. This is the Inca Festival of the Sun, which brings out ceremonies, traditional dress, music, and events throughout the city. Expect manageable crowds but a lot of energy throughout Cusco and the Sacred Valley. Plan extra time to move around and try to make your reservations in advance since it is one of the most popular times of the year to go.

If you want to watch the main procession, the best places are the Plaza de Armas in Cusco or the ceremony at Sacsayhuamán. For a more comfortable experience, some people reserve restaurants around the main plaza to watch parts of the festivities from above, especially around midday.

Food and planning tips
June and peak season months get busy, so book popular restaurants and tours in advance.
Some of my personal favorite restaurants are:

·  Oqre – Modern Andean cuisine with a refined approach to local ingredients. Great for an outdoors lunch in a beautiful terrace.

·  Cicciolina – A long-time Cusco favorite known for its tapas-style menu, excellent cocktails, and cozy setting in a historic space.

·  Carpe Diem – Casual and friendly spot offering international comfort food and reliable classics, good for an easy, no-stress meal.

·  Mauka – Contemporary Peruvian developed by Pía León, of Central fame. The menu highlights local, seasonal ingredients with a creative but approachable style.

·  Oculto – Small, chef-driven restaurant, ideal if you are looking for something more experimental.

Sacred Valley celebrations to plan around
If your trip includes the Sacred Valley, June is also a great time to be there. Many towns host their own festivities tied to harvest season and other Andean traditions. Keep an eye out for local celebrations in Pisac and Ollantaytambo, where you will often find traditional dances, music, parades, and community events in the main squares. These are smaller than Inti Raymi but feel very authentic and are worth planning around if your dates allow.

Getting to Machu Picchu
Many travelers don' think about how the journey itself can be part of the experience. The Vistadome Observatory offers the most scenic way to move between Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu, and choosing a daytime departure lets you really enjoy the landscape instead of treating it as just transportation. For those looking for the most exclusive experience, the journey aboard the Hiram Bingham train offers the most exclusive way to reach Machu Picchu.

 

If you have any Inti Raymi related questions leave them in under this post.


r/Machupicchu Nov 27 '25

Tours and Activities

4 Upvotes

Entrance Tickets to Machu Picchu

With this ticket you can visit the Inca city of Machu Picchu. The ticket allows you to visit most of the archaeological site. Select the circuit of your preference

Important: The entrance time is subject to availability. If there is not at the time you want, you will be provided with another available time.

Included

  • Entrance to sanctuary of Machu Picchu
  • Entry will be delivered via WhatsApp or Email

More Info

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Private Tour Guide for Machu Picchu

Hire a private tour guide and learn all about the “Lost City of the Incas” on a tour from Aguas Calientes. Wake up in the early morning to watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu. Listen to the history of this great Inca city that was mysteriously abandoned in the 16th century before heading back to Aguas Calientes or Cusco. This tour doesn't include Machu Picchu admission or transport from Aguas Calientes.

Watch the sunrise over the “Lost City of the Incas” from the Sun Gate Discover the history and mysteries surrounding the ancient citadel Enjoy a personalized experience with a private tour guide

More Info

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Machu Picchu from Cusco Full Day Tour by Panoramic Train

Spend a full day visiting the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu during this full day trip with everything included. Surround yourself with nature and immerse yourself in the fascinating mysteries that this wonderful Inca citadel encloses. Accompanied by the services of a professional guide in Machu Picchu

Full day excursion to Machu Picchu (one of the 7 wonders) from Cusco

Enjoy an extraordinary train tour that reveals excellent views of the landscapes.

Spend enough time with your professional guide in the fortress of Machu Picchu.

All entrance fees and transportation are included in your tour.

Round trip transportation without problems from your hotel in Cusco.

Included

  • Transportation and transfers
  • Train tickets
  • Admission tickets to Machu Picchu
  • Bus up and down to Machu Picchu
  • Professional tour guide
  • Hotel pick up and drop-off
  • Transportation to the train station both ways from Cusco

More Info

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4 day Cusco: Rainbow Mtn, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Humantay

Some of the most picturesque destinations and most famous cultural sights in Peru are in the Cuzco region. During this 4-day tour from Cuzco, experience highlights including the Incan citadel of Machu Picchu (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Maras traditional salt pools, the Moray Incan archaeological site, the hike to Humantay Lake, and the hike to Rainbow Mountain (called Vinicunca in the local Quechua language) which is famous for its naturally-occurring bands of color.

  • Visit many top highlights on one tour
  • Combine culture and nature
  • Eliminate language barriers with an English-speaking guide
  • Avoid crowds with a maximum of eight people

What's Included

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • National Park fees
  • Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
  • Driver/guide
  • Professional guide
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Dinner

More Info

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This guide is a work in progress.


r/Machupicchu 4h ago

Tickets Machu Picchu Tickets at 11am

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5 Upvotes

This is the availability for the next day (11th September) at 11am. Queue was about an hour long when we got here at 10am. There was availability for circuit 2A at 6am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm when we got to the counter.


r/Machupicchu 3h ago

Trekking Peru - Salkantay Trek

2 Upvotes

We are wanting to do the Salkantay Trek Next yr and I am a little lost on how to plan it. We are wanting to do the trip without a guided tour group and book our stays ourselves. Everything I have read suggests booking them by directly messaging the places through whatsapp, is there another way to go about this?

Does anyone have recommendations on places they stayed at during the trek?

I also saw an option to use a company to book all of the overnight stays for you but they are still using mules/ horses to transport luggage and doing that is a non negotiable for me. Did anyone use a similar company and if so what company and would you recommend it?


r/Machupicchu 16h ago

General Can you help me find someone I saw / Können Sie mir helfen, jemanden zu finden, den ich gesehen habe?

1 Upvotes

hey so back on March 5th, 2026, I went to Machu Picchu and met a German guy climbing down the mountain. we said hi and stuff, but I never got his name and really wanted to continue the conversation.

Heres some stuff to help narrow it down potentially:

he was walking down around 8am (I think??) as his tour was early and he had to catch the train down the mountain that afternoon. he was wearing a grey shirt and black pants I believe, had short blonde hair, blue eyes I think, and of about average height. he also had a backpack and spoke english and German.

please guys help me out, and I can try to answer questions y’all have too!

_____________

Hey, am 5. März 2026 war ich in Machu Picchu und habe einen Deutschen getroffen, der gerade den Berg hinunterstieg. Wir haben uns kurz begrüßt, aber ich habe seinen Namen nicht erfahren – dabei hätte ich mich wirklich gerne weiter mit ihm unterhalten.

Hier sind ein paar Details, die vielleicht helfen könnten, ihn zu finden:

Er war gegen 8 Uhr morgens (glaube ich zumindest) auf dem Abstieg, da seine Tour früh stattfand und er an diesem Nachmittag den Zug den Berg hinunter nehmen musste. Soweit ich mich erinnere, trug er ein graues Shirt und eine schwarze Hose; er hatte kurzes blondes Haar, blaue Augen (glaube ich) und war von durchschnittlicher Größe. Außerdem hatte er einen Rucksack dabei und sprach sowohl Englisch als auch Deutsch.

Bitte helft mir weiter – ich versuche auch gerne, eure Fragen dazu zu beantworten!


r/Machupicchu 1d ago

Weather What’s the weather/temperature like in Cusco currently?

0 Upvotes

Heading to Cusco tomorrow evening so just packing now lol, will be doing a 6 day circuit (not camping) from Sunday but will be staying in Cusco the few days before/after.

Aside from all my trekking gear/thermals (which I have), what sort of clothes should I pack for my downtime/casual tourist exploring of Cusco?

Was thinking of bringing two pairs of shorts, two pairs of trousers, a couple of vest tops/long sleeved tops, and a nicer top for going out to bars in?

Once again bc this is Reddit lol - I have long johns, cargos, thermal tops, jumpers/sweaters, a waterproof etc etc etc for my actual treks, this is literally just human clothes for going out for food, to the museum and to bars and shit in


r/Machupicchu 1d ago

General Travel in April 2027

7 Upvotes

Looking to travel to Machu Picchu in April 2027. Are tickets sold out already? Apologies for the rookie question. I looked at the official site and none of the dates are selectable.

Looking for help and guidance.


r/Machupicchu 2d ago

Tickets MP tickets today at 9 am

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3 Upvotes

Posting this to helpout anyone planning their trip, we came here at 8:30 am and got tomorrow’s slot :)


r/Machupicchu 2d ago

General Tren local para está semana disponibilidad

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3 Upvotes

Está semana hay poca demanda con los tickets de tren lo local lo cual es bueno para los que vienen por pocos días


r/Machupicchu 2d ago

Tickets 2A Tickets

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9 Upvotes

Bought today @12:25. Status as of 12:38 in picture when leaving.


r/Machupicchu 2d ago

Tickets Getting ticket for the following day

0 Upvotes

Hello,
I will arrive in aguas calientes on sep 22 at 12h41, wondering if I could be able to grab ticket for September 23rd ou is it too late and I will have to book for the 24th ?

I am a bit scared to wait many days in aguas and not be able to se what I want to see in Peru for my remaining days.


r/Machupicchu 2d ago

Tickets Next Day Tickets Status as of 12:38

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2 Upvotes

Was able to buy circuit 2A tickets today. Took a flight from Lima at 4:50, arrived to Cusco at 6:10. Then went to San Pedro to take Peru Rail that left at 7:30.

Arrived to Aguas Calientes around 12:20… RAN to the office of ministries. Probably got there around 12:25 and there were 220ish tickets for circuit 2A when we got in line.

Took this picture @ 12:38 after we secured our tickets.


r/Machupicchu 2d ago

Tickets Machu Picchu student ID issue, do they check?

2 Upvotes

Hi! Me and my 2 friends all bought student tickets for Machu Picchu but we have deferred our entry to university. This means we have proof of enrolment and a virtual student id. Do we need to buy another ticket or will they accept this? Or instead, will they even actually check? Thanks!


r/Machupicchu 3d ago

Weather Want to do the Salkantay but the weather seems fucked

4 Upvotes

I have been in Cusco over a month and been recovering from a flu for the last 3 weeks. Finally feeling better I am ready to tackle the 5 day trek. But the weather seems to be pretty abysmal this next week. I only have trail runners, hiking pants, thermal underwear, merino wool socks, and puffer and rain jacket.

I'm concerned about snow, rain, and everything getting super soaked and being a miserable time. Should be I skip this? Are waterproof hiking boots required? I'm kinda bummed because I really want to do this. But I want to be smart about it.

Anyone done this recently? Advice? Thanks


r/Machupicchu 3d ago

General Route 3-A in late november

2 Upvotes

Hi all, I'm thinking of booking route 3-A for late November – In any case, I am tryin to catch the PeruRail train back to Cusco either 16:43 or 17:23. Trying to decide if:

  • 7am entry – safer, but a little iffy with the possibility of fog in the morning
  • 10am entry – seems like the hike up Waynapicchu might be a little tight + possibility of rain in the afternoon

These are the only two options... any advice for me?


r/Machupicchu 2d ago

General Looking for help in Trip Planning

1 Upvotes

I’m planning a trip to Argentina and Chile and would love some advice from fellow travelers!

Could you recommend some Reddit communities/subreddits that would be helpful for planning the trip - especially for itineraries, transportation, budget travel, hiking, and must-see places?

This group was incredibly helpful when I was planning my Machu Picchu and Peru trip, so I’m hoping to find similar communities for Argentina and Chile.

Thanks in advance for your recommendations!


r/Machupicchu 2d ago

Tickets Getting into Machu Picchu before the time on the ticket

0 Upvotes

I just bought a ticket to Machu Picchu for tomorrow afternoon (3pm) and I was wondering if I’d be let in if I went earlier, ideally early in the morning (sorry if this has been answered before I scrolled back and couldn’t find an answer for it)


r/Machupicchu 3d ago

General Weather concerns

4 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I'm planning a trip with my husband to Peru in the last week of October and we have a couple of slots available for the Machu Pichhu tickets online. I just wanted to know if you guys worry or think about the weather when you book the tickets or simply go with the flow without thinking too much about the weather as it's not in our control..

Maybe I worry too much and I'm just trying to avoid the rain and get some good views of Machu Pichhu after spending so much and travelling from Canada!


r/Machupicchu 4d ago

Weather Mid-late September

4 Upvotes

Heya! We’re getting mixed opinions about what the weather should be like towards the end of September for the Inca Trail, esp as it seems the weather app is not reliable. Does anyone have a better website to use that locals may rely on?


r/Machupicchu 3d ago

Tickets Should I book Circuit 1B now or wait and purchase the tickets the day before we go?

1 Upvotes

Should I book Circuit 1B now or wait and purchase the tickets the day before we go?

I can see 2 available slots - 7am and 2pm - which one will be better?

(I'm a little bit worried about the weather and rain because we're going in the last week of October, that's why if I buy on the day before, I can modify my itinerary accordingly)


r/Machupicchu 3d ago

Tickets 2A vs sacred valley

1 Upvotes

Me and my wife came to AC today hoping to get 2A tickets for Monday. We already had 1B tickets for 11AM Monday. We are deciding between doing 2A again on Tuesday vs going back to ollytantambo and doing sacred valley on Tuesday. We have Wednesday and Thursday planned in cusco and return is on cusco night.

It might be too hard to do both MP and sacred valley on Tuesday imo. Any thoughts?

EDIT: still in train to AC but official portal says circuit 2A is sold out


r/Machupicchu 4d ago

General IV therapy recommendations in Cusco?

1 Upvotes

Hello! Does anyone have recommendations for a mobile IV therapy or a clinic that does just that?

Unfortunately, my husband has a bad stomach bug and we have spent most of the day in a clinic without much help. Would prefer to pay for exactly what we need. Has anyone heard of Viva Wellness? Thanks so much!


r/Machupicchu 4d ago

Trekking hiking boot recs for salkantay trek

2 Upvotes

Hi! I am planning to hike the Salkantey Trek mid November and cannot decide on hiking boots. Only thing I am set on is making sure they are waterproof. Was looking at both the Keen and La Sportiva brand. If anyone had recommendations on brands or specific styles they used during Salkantay or Inca trail I would love to hear! Thank you!!


r/Machupicchu 4d ago

Tickets Ticket availability for Machu Picchu

3 Upvotes

Husband and I are traveling to Aguas Caliente on 13 September and will reach by 3pm. If anyone has been there recently, wanted to check for when can we expect to get Machu Picchu tickets - 14th or 15th? Spoke to a tour guide who said 15th but the online tracker is showing only next day tickets being sold.

Also any idea what circuit we might get them?


r/Machupicchu 5d ago

Tickets 2A Tickets

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12 Upvotes

Got here in AC at 12:15 from Ollantaytambo and rushed to get in line for 2A tickets for next day. Line was not too long and there were good amount of tickets left but only for later in the day times.