1 if you leave Cusco by train and return that night. 5 if you go for the trek. Why 10?
My advice would be make sure you spend some time at altitude prior to commencing the trek (that is of course if you are doing the trek!). A few days in Cuzco beforehand will do. It's a great city with plenty to do and the surrounding area is gorgeous. I went to Puno (3800m) directly from Lima. I walked up 3 flights of stairs and my head was spinning! Never underestimate the power of altitude!
Anyway as for the trek most tour companies offer 4 or 5 day treks. Book early as they will need to obtain a permit for you as there are only a limited number of people who can do the trek on a daily basis.
It's well worth it. The scenery is amazing and the food the porters cook is some of the finest I have eaten!
If you're going straight to Machu Picchu by train/bus you'll only need a day.
And don't forget to visit Ollantaytambo (spelling could be wrong there!). It's a great little town with some amazing Inca ruins.
Have fun!
If you mean to just view the park, then one day should suffice. Make sure to head to the train station in Ollantanytambo very early, earlier than the hour provided on your train ticket, which you NEED to purchase in advance along with a return ticket. Once you get off the train you will need to take a bus up the mountain to the ruins which costs about US$9. This along with a return bus ticket should also me purchased in advance. The entrance fee to the park is S/. 129 which is about US$46.57.
I myself visited Machu Picchu the day before yesterday. My hotel was in Urubamba, about a half hour, I believe, away from the station. I recieved a wake up call at 5:30 and was at the station by 7:30. I spent only 5 hours in the park because its difficult to catch a bus back down the mountain because of a high demand so I headed back to the station at 2:00. I recommend you don't go to the station later than 3:00 because after that its very difficult to catch a bus back. If you feel 5 hours doesn't suffice, buy an even earlier train ticket to come back the next day.
Hope I answered your question ????
Hola,
somebody told you 10 days and have no idea why. I travel a lot in South America and enjoy things and prefer to stay longer than other people in one place, however, if you spend one day at Machu Picchu you have seen and enjoyed it. There's no need to spend more than one day.
at least 10 days is needed to enjoy Machu Picchu tour.
Fly in to Cuzco the day before to get acclimated to the altitude and catch an early train the next morning. Return that evening. You will have to spend that night in Cuzco as well as you will arrive after the afternoon flights have departed.
I'm going to vacation in Peru. How many days should I dedicate to Machu Picchu?
