How to Find Luxury Hotels in Machu Picchu, Peru

Located high in the Andes mountains of Peru, Machu Picchu is a wonderfully preserved Incan ruin built between 1460 and 1470 AD. Rediscovered in 1911, the remains consist of about 200 residences and temples that are considered to be among the planet's most fascinating archaeological monuments. Read on to learn how to find luxury accommodations in Machu Picchu, Peru.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer With Internet Access

Prepare for Your Travels to Peru

1. Dress in layers. Mountain temperatures can change drastically. You'll want to be prepared for every scenario.

2. Travel light, and wear comfortable shoes. Since you'll be doing a lot of walking in Machu Picchu, you'll want to carry only what's necessary in a backpack or in pants with multiple pockets.

3. Keep dry. June to October are the driest months in Machu Picchu, but the rain is unpredictable, so pack an umbrella or raincoat.

4. Be in good shape. You'll be climbing to elevations as high as 14,000 feet. The better your cardiovascular system, the more comfortable you'll be.

Familarize Yourself With the Ruins

5. Walk. A popular option is to hike the Inca Trail. It will take from two to four days.

6. Take the train, which gets as close as Aguas Calientes. From there you can take one of several buses up the mountain. For schedules, go to PeruRail.

7. Fly. Helicopter service is available from Cusco to Aguas Calientes.

Find Luxury Accommodations

8. Stay at a luxury hotel. The Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, the only hotel adjacent to the ruins, has rooms and suites with many amenities. Views from the rooms are stunning. See the Resources section below for a link to this property. For more comprehensive travel information contact the Commission for the Promotion of Peru by call 011 ([phone] or visit the link below.

9. Consider a hotel and tour package. Many hotels in Machu Picchu offer special rates for tour and accommodations bundles. This is a great way to see the sights and stay in relative luxury for competitive prices.

10. Hike and stay indoors. For alternate accommodations, there's a lodge just outside of Wiñay Wayna that features a restaurant, a bar, comfortable rooms and bathrooms with hot showers.

11. Spend the night in the small town of Aguas Calientes. In the morning you can get a jump start on the ruins before the majority of tourists arrive from nearby Cusco. Situated near the ruins, Aguas Calientes has a number of small hotels, hostels and restaurants.

12. Camp. Those who enjoy the outdoors can camp in the area. Take the walking tour and check out Wiñay Wayna along the way.

Tips & Warnings

• All phone numbers include the United States international prefix "011." When calling internationally outside the United States, substitute that "011" with "00."
• All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.