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Accessing the major ruins requires purchasing a Cusco Tourist Ticket, with most sites operating daily from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Maras Salt Mines operate independently and charge a separate 10 Soles cash fee at the gate.
Archaeological sites across the Sacred Valley open daily from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Markets in Pisac and Chinchero begin operating at 6:30 AM. Arrive at the ruins before 8:00 AM to photograph the stone masonry before large tour groups appear.
| Day | Hours | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Monday–Sunday | 07:00–17:00 | Local markets open at 06:30 |
Archaeological sites remain open year-round, including national holidays. Heavy rains from January to April force the Poroy train station near Cusco to close for maintenance. You must depart from the Ollantaytambo station to reach Machu Picchu during these wet months.
Foreign visitors pay S/. 130.00 for the 10-day Cusco Tourist Ticket, which grants access to 16 regional archaeological sites. Travelers focusing solely on the Sacred Valley can purchase a 2-day partial pass for S/. 70.00. Site entrances charge a 3.15% fee for Visa and Mastercard transactions, making cash the preferred payment method.
No regular free entry days.
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View All ToursVisit between May and October when the dry season brings clear skies and minimal rainfall to the valley. June, July, and August draw the heaviest crowds, pushing wait times up at major archaeological sites. The rainy season from January to April shuts down the Poroy train station entirely, forcing all train departures to shift to Ollantaytambo.
A standard Sacred Valley tour requires 1 to 2 full days to navigate the primary archaeological sites. Travelers holding the 10-day Cusco Tourist Ticket typically extend their stay to 3 or 4 days. This expanded timeline accommodates multi-hour hikes to remote ruins like Huchuy Qosqo and early morning visits to the Pisac and Chinchero markets.
The full 10-day Cusco Tourist Ticket costs S/. 130.00 and grants access to 16 major sites across the region. Pay with cash at site entrances to dodge the 3.15% transaction fee applied to Visa and Mastercard. Maras Salt Mines require a separate 10 Soles cash entry fee.
Tour crowds flood the ruins after 10:00 AM. Arriving between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM guarantees empty terraces and soft morning light highlighting the ancient stone masonry. Pisac and Chinchero markets also operate early, with the most authentic local commerce visible from 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM.
Heavy rains shut down the Poroy train station near Cusco from January through April every year. Passengers traveling during these wet months must book rail journeys departing directly from Ollantaytambo. Private taxis from Cusco to Ollantaytambo cost 80 to 100 Soles and take 90 minutes.
Altitude sickness strikes hard at Cusco's 11,150-foot elevation, causing headaches and nausea. The Sacred Valley floor sits significantly lower at 9,000 feet, making it the safest place to spend your first few nights. This 2,000-foot drop allows your body to acclimate gradually before you attempt climbing steep hillside ruins.
Guards immediately confiscate drones flown over any archaeological site. Tripods, monopods, and camera stabilizers also trigger expulsion unless you carry a professional permit from the Ministry of Culture. Brace your camera against ancient stone walls for stable shots instead.
Foreign adults pay S/. 130.00 for the Full Cusco Tourist Ticket, while students and children pay S/. 70.00. This 10-day pass grants access to 16 archaeological sites across the region. Travelers focusing only on Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, and Moray can buy a 2-day Circuit III partial ticket for S/. 70.00.
The Maras Salt Mines require a separate 10 Soles entrance fee paid directly at the site. Neither the full nor partial Cusco Tourist Ticket covers this complex of 5,000 salt-evaporation ponds. Bring exact change in Peruvian Soles, as the gate operates strictly cash-only.
Archaeological sites open daily from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Arrive between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM to photograph the stone masonry in soft morning light before the large tour buses arrive. Local markets in Pisac and Chinchero start setting up even earlier, peaking between 6:30 AM and 9:00 AM.
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at site entrances, but every card transaction adds a 3.15% fee to the total. Digital payments through Plin or Yape carry the exact same surcharge. Bring physical Peruvian Soles to bypass these extra costs entirely.
Drones are strictly banned over all archaeological sites and face immediate confiscation by guards. Tripods, monopods, and camera stabilizers also require a special permit obtained in advance from the Ministry of Culture. Leave this equipment at your hotel and brace your handheld camera against the stone walls for stable shots.
Heavy precipitation and track maintenance force the Poroy train station near Cusco to close from January through April. Travelers visiting during these wet months will find their transit plans disrupted if they rely on this station. Book your rail departures directly from the Ollantaytambo station instead.
Covering the major highlights requires 1 to 2 full days. Travelers holding the 10-day Cusco Tourist Ticket often dedicate 3 to 4 days to the region. This extended timeframe allows for early morning market visits and hikes to remote locations like the Lamay ruins.
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