Alright, you asked we answered. We got such
a huge response to our first video showing you the do's and don'ts of Machu Picchu,
we are back with more of what they won't tell you about visiting here. From the
brand new rules, to what you can't bring, to where you can't go, to what you can't wear.
Hint: no Pikachu costumes allowed. They're serious about this. It's all straight
ahead in this episode of Window Seat. [MUSIC] First off, huge thank you to those of you who
caught our first video from this sacred city in the clouds. We were inundated with comments
and questions about visiting Machu Picchu. If you missed that first one you can click the
upper right hand corner of this video right now and it'll take you straight there, or you
can click the link in this video's description to watch our full journey to Machu Picchu,
as we showed you what to expect if you visit this amazing place. The good (those amazing
views), the bad (the unpredictable weather which can obscure those good views), and
the Ugly (those massive crowds, the cameras, the chaos) as the throng of tourists
jockeys for the best photo for Instagram. [MUSIC] Now it's your turn as we answer your questions
about traveling to Machu Picchu. First up, what can I bring and what can't I bring? Alright,
get ready. Answer: you can bring yourself and your clothes and that's pretty much it. You can
bring small snacks as long as you hold on to the wrappers, and you can bring a canteen with water,
and an official ID like your passport because they'll ask for it at the entry gate. Otherwise,
no food, no beverages, no plastic water bottles, no tripods, no selfie sticks, no big backpacks, no
alcohol, no smoking, no umbrellas, no strollers, no high heels, no pets... none of that stuff is
allowed. Also no drugs, no musical instruments, no speakers, no canes with metal tips, no hiking
sticks, no clothing intended for advertising purposes. And yes, they do check bags... but if
you bring any of this stuff, there is a place to store all of it before you actually go into
Machu Picchu, so don't worry... it won't be thrown away. Also, one more thing: no nudity. In
2016 an Australian tourist was expelled for taking naked pictures up here. And in 2018 three European
tourists were thrown out for being photographed showing their butts. Another reason to cover your
skin by the way: mosquitoes. They're everywhere up here, as Sean found out the hard way. "Oh I got
eaten a lot, yeah. Like I've been bitten close to 20 times." So wear long clothes and use
mosquito repellent before you get here. "I take full responsibility." Also, no
disrespectful clothing. Remember, this is a sacred Incan site. We saw these guys wearing Pikachu
costumes en route to Machu Picchu. Then they were told at the front entrance to take them off, as it
was considered a sign of disrespect. But get this: once inside Machu Picchu and out of the view of
security they slipped those costumes back on, just so they could take a Machu Pikachu picture.
"Although you almost got kicked out for it. Yeah we almost did but we thought they just said...
many people have tried nobody's done it." A fun moment for them, a disrespectful moment for the
locals. They don't like this stuff, and there are cameras around here. So remember we're all
visitors here, it's important to show decorum. [MUSIC] Next question: are there bathrooms at Machu
Picchu? The answer is yes, right outside the front entrance. Only there's just one. Use it
right as you enter, because there's nowhere else to go. Also they're pay toilets, costing two
Sols per use. That's equal to about 50 cents U.S. [MUSIC] Question: what are the new rules for visiting
Machu Picchu this year? Well, as of 2023, only 2500 people are allowed in per day. So if
you're planning a trip book it well in advance. Also you can only technically stay for four hours
inside Machu Picchu. Re-entry is not allowed. So if you walk out you can't get back in. Also,
you have to have an official tour guide with you. You can't go it alone. If you show up without
a guide though, you can hire one at the entrance without much of a problem. Next question: how
much does it cost to visit Machu Picchu? Well, odds are your tour guide will work
all of that out for their services, but the basic admission to Machu Picchu $62
US for adults, $31 for students $23 for kids [MUSIC] And obviously be prepared for big big crowds.
Some of you said you visited Machu Picchu back in the 80s and 90s, and you had the place to
yourself. Those days are over. With the advent of social media, Instagram and Tik Tok,
there are massive crowds here these days. Vying to take the best possible pic.
So if you're coming here for solitude, you best not come at all. A million
and a half people come here every year. [MUSIC] Alright, more questions. When is the best time to
go to Machu Picchu? Answer: for weather reasons, May to September are optimal times. We went in
mid-April, which is at the tail end of the rainy season. "The rain has died down a bit so that's
encouraging." Which is why the place was socked in with fog. Which is why we were worried we
wouldn't be able to get that iconic shot of the mountain and the village. "You feeling more
confident than you were earlier? No not at all. I mean, we'll get a shot. It just won't be
a great shot. But that's okay." We did of course eventually see the famous mountain and
the village and I did eventually quit whining. "Eating crow even as we speak. The power of
optimism and the power of positive thinking really does work wonders and this guy is learning
it every single day. Sure, yeah." Alright next up: is there more than one way to get to Machu Picchu?
Yep. We went via bus and then train ride from Cusco to Aguas Calientes. "I'm gonna let someone
else take the lead." And then we caught another bus up the mountain to Machu Picchu with lots
of twists and turns. "Oh it's straight down. I'm trying not to look." But that required us
getting up at 4 a.m in Cusco and taking a journey for four plus hours, An easier way to
do it would be to spend the night beforehand in Aguas Calientes... an awesome little tourist
town with tons of restaurants and souvenir shops, so that you're rested and ready to go
for your adventure. "Alright so we did like a four day four night Inca trail. We
did it for the hell of it." If you're even more adventurous, you can take the Inca
Trail, a 26 mile trail that takes four or five days and ends right here at
Machu Picchu. We met one family who did it and they said it changed
their life. "This is my first time doing something big like this. Like it's
an adventure of my life. So I'm so happy." [MUSIC] Alright, next question: can I camp
at Machu Picchu? The answer is yes, kind of. There's a municipal campsite for
tourists to camp cheaply about one kilometer outside Aguas Calientes and a seven kilometer
hike from Machu Picchu. It has showers, toilets, places to eat and places to pitch tents.
And at last check it cost about 15 Sols per night. That translates to about $4 U.S. Not
bad at all. "Unreal now that the sky's finally parted. It's amazing just how much different
this place looks when the skies open up. And it went from rainy and cool to sunny and
warm actually. It's uh it's been awesome." [MUSIC] Next question: will I see wildlife at
Machu Picchu. Think we just answered that one for you. Yep, you will likely see
llamas at the very least. We saw a few of them meandering around the grounds.
They say there are about 30 of them living around here. They're friendly and
gentle and didn't spit at us even once. Alright, another big question so many people ask:
is it safe to visit Machu Picchu? The answer is generally yes. We had no issues here. Never
felt unsafe at all. Same with Aguas Calientes. Never experienced a single issue. But the U.S
State Department did Issue a travel advisory for Peru June 1st, reminding tourists that
crime - including violent crime - is common in this country. So obviously always be on
the lookout and be prepared for anything. [MUSIC] "We'd heard about these protests. We thought
they were mostly over after having shut down the government and tourism in this country for the
past two or three months." We also encountered protest in Cusco when we visited. There was
a wave of civil unrest that led to hundreds of arrests and dozens of deaths early in 2023.
But what we witnessed was perfectly peaceful. [MUSIC] Alright, that just about covers it. If you have
any other questions about visiting Machu Picchu leave them in the comments below and we'll try to
answer them just as they come in. And a reminder be sure to watch our first Machu Picchu video to
see what it's like to spend a day at the citadel in the clouds. The most famous and well-preserved
Incan site in all of the Andes. And hopefully none of what you've just learned dissuades
you from going because, despite the cameras, and the crowds, and the chaos... this is
still definitely worth the trip. It's the trip of a lifetime... as long as you follow
the long, long, looooonnnng list of rules. [MUSIC] Okay that's it for it for the episode of Window
Seat. We'd love it if you liked and shared it so people can learn more about visiting this
unforgettable Peruvian location. And please hit subscribe too. It'll help support us as
we continue our journey to every country on Earth. We're already at more than 70 countries,
with more on the way soon. And we're back with another episode next Friday. In the meantime check
out one of these other videos from Window Seat. [MUSIC]
