Flights to Machu Picchu land at Cusco (CUZ), the gateway to this region of Peru. Most visitors fly in from Lima, where LATAM, Sky Airline and JetSMART run non-stop flights to Cusco all year.
When to visit Machu Picchu
The dry season runs from May to October, offering clear skies and mild temperatures that make it the most popular time to visit. June and July are the busiest months in the region, drawing large crowds.
The rainy season peaks in January and February, bringing heavy downpours and high humidity. While the frequent mist and rain can affect access to some mountain trails, the surrounding vegetation is exceptionally lush and green during these damp months.
Airports serving Machu Picchu
The primary gateway for those flying to this region is Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) in Cusco, which is the nearest airport to the site. Most travellers arrive via Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM) in Lima, as Cusco handles mainly domestic routes and limited international connections.
What to see in Machu Picchu
No road reaches the citadel. From Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, PeruRail and Inca Rail trains run to Aguas Calientes, the town below the ruins, where shuttle buses climb to the entrance.
Set high in the Andes, this 15th-century Inca citadel is renowned for its hand-crafted stone terraces and mist-shrouded peaks. Key landmarks across the complex include:
Temple of the Sun: This semi-circular stone structure showcases precise Inca masonry and was historically used for astronomical observations.
Wayna Picchu: Towering over the main ruins, this steep peak offers a challenging climb rewarded with panoramic views of the entire site.
Intihuatana: This carved ritual stone is believed to have functioned as an astronomic clock or calendar for the Incas.
Places to visit near Machu Picchu
Flying to Cusco is the most convenient way to reach these nearby destinations:
Aguas Calientes: the closest access point to the ruins
Ollantaytambo: a village known for its Inca fortress
Urubamba: the largest town in the Sacred Valley
Pisac: famous for its market and agricultural terraces
