MACHU PICCHU - What they don't show you! (2024) 

I hiked the Inca trail to Macchu Pichu. It took 4 days. I took the bus down the mountain to the little town and the train. When I first looked over at Macchu Pichu the mist was there and I saw a mountain in the shape of a face looking up at the sky. The place is magical. The feeling you get up there is like no other.

I’m still waiting for what they don’t show me

So this was great. Love that you showed the small town, explained going on the train later to save money, and how the buses work.

I visited there in 2008 but I didn't feel fit enough to do the 4-day hike, so I rode the train all the way to Aguas Calientes. The bus up to the top and the wandering around the Machu Picchu site itself was amazing. Probably one of the greatest achievements I was able to tick off my bucket list.

My wife is Peruvian. We lived in Lima after getting married there for 2.5 years. She's been there and been a guide. I'm scared of heights, so thanks for the video. Peruvian food is excellent!!! Eat ceviche, pollo a la praza, anticuchos!!! Must try!!!

Just to share: When we went to MP in the late 80's, we took the local train half way to Aqua Caliente and hiked the Inca Trail for three days before they charged a fee. Few people know that there are other ruins higher in the mountains that we had all to ourselves!

I'm a 10 year old aspiring traveler! I love your videos and hope I'll get to visit all these places one day.

When I went here in 1976 it was just starting to catch the world's attention. There were only about 50 of us on the whole site.

One place that’s high in my travel goal! But wow Cody! Your video is so high def it felt like I was standing next to you overlooking the view lol! Thanks for the extra info for visiting Machu Picchu. I will surely sign up for your newsletter. Safe travels!

Wow..not only the ruins but the surrounding mountains are beautiful.

Looks like you got some great weather, Cody. I've been there twice. Pouring, cold rain the first time. The second trip was very hot and muggy. They actually carried off some tourists who were overcome by age, heat, humidity, and thin atmosphere in litters. It's a shame that most working people can't afford to go there until after they retire. Much easier when you're younger and healthy. It' very strenuous for anyone who's out of shape or in marginal health. There were so many people visiting Machu Picchu in 2015 that it seemed like a very real, rough and rugged and version of Disneyland. Excellent accommodations and food in Aguascaliente. Thanks. Looking forward to seeing some of your other videos.

Wow, things have really changed since I spend two days in Machu Picho around 1980. There were much less visitors then, not even enough to fill one bus going up there once a day, so no waiting in line. The train and bus were only a few bucks then. After spending hours in the ancient city, first choosing to follow the only guide for a while, then freely roaming around, we also climbed up to the top of that highest steep mountain next the place you see in the background, and found out that on top of that mountain were also some ruins. . We stayed at the relatively inexpensive "Hotel de Turistas" right next to the place up there, and after dark when the only guard of the place had gone to sleep and there was no one out there we sneaked out of the hotel and spend hours roaming around by moonlight in the ancient city, some taking beautiful photographs. . (I still have a photograph of me standing on the well known stone statuette on the highest plateau [not shown in this video] me bending over with my hands on the imaginary "dials" on the part that sticks up higher than the little stone platform of the same carved tone. Imagining I was flying up in a non-terrestrial vehicle.) . The next day when we waited for the bus to go down we heard some heavy rumbling, and looking down saw an avalanche making a cloud of brown dust. After it had settled we saw that a huge boulder had come down right next to the train tracks... just leaving enough space for the train to pass by. . About those tightly fitting stones, on RU-vid copy past this in the search bar: ancient stones melted . ❤️

Thank you for this wonderful series Cody! I hope you were able to see the Inca Bridge! It's kinda hidden up there, but way cool. You can also travel to Aguas Calientes by hiking it's about 6-7 miles and also hike up to Machu Picchu, it hurts like hell, but supports the locals as they don't own the railroad/buses or Macchu Picchu. I hope you got to visit the springs, definitely a must do after hiking! I'm so happy you shared this journey and did it so beautifully! I look forward to seeing more!

Don’t just turn up and take the train and bus! I did this in 2011 (at 65!) and we hiked the Inca trail for 4 days and nights, visiting Inca ruins along the way. We were part of a group of 20 hikers, 3 guides and 25 porters. Our original goal was to see Machu Picchu or course, like everyone else! In retrospect, our greatest memories were the hike - you are at 10,000 ft up in the rugged Andes - no road access, no planB if you get sick, so you form an amazing camaraderie with the hikers, guides and porters. It’s a once in a lifetime experience- do it while you can.....and before they limit access even more. The video was interesting but written by a daytripper!

I have become an armchair traveler due to not having the finances to travel overseas. Thank you for your lovely videos. Machu Picchu is still on my bucket list. Enjoy your travels and be safe. xx

You can feel his excitement at being there. Good job Cody. You seem such a nice guy.

Thank you Cody!! Very informative video!! I have been there 3 times already and every time is as magical as the first!! One thing I would recommend is taking the side tour to Huayna Piccu which is the big peaked mountain in the foreground. You can climb to the top and you have a spectacular view of Machu Picchu and the surrounding area. You have to reserve a spot to climb the peak Well in advance. I truly recommend it to anyone! It's best if you are in good health! When climbing it I saw people of all ages!! Enjoy!!!

I was there back in 1989. I stayed inside and slept the night in the ruins. (illegally) There is so much more to see that is far more interesting than what you showed. I even climbed Huayna Picchu, the sharp mountain overlooking the ruins, in the rain! Amazing, incredible place!

I'm so happy we found you!! Traveling in my recliner is the BEST thank you 💗

What an amazing behind the scenes tour! Thank you so much for this effort.

What an incredible place to explore! I loved how they gave space to film to get all the epic shots. Also the mist coming over the mountains was amazing! Machu Picchu was a lot better than I thought it would be! Great work presenting this video man. I learned a lot!

I went to Machu Picchu in 1971. I flew to Peru to visit family in Lima that I had never met. Back then you could just wander around without having to go in one direction. I remember I took a chartered flight from LA which then was only $265.00 round trip. Great video. 🤗

Loved your video. I've never been there, and will never have the opportunity now to go there. But you made me feel like I did go there. I loved seeing the town of Agua Caliente. Never even heard of it. But I loved how you showed it to us, and the whole experience of how one would get a bus ticket and what the town is like.

Great video. I like how you showed where the train came in and the bus was literally just over the bridge. That sort of info is really important - for older guys like me. I used to like exploring where various things are, but now I just want to know, y'know. It reminded me of when I was visiting Pompeii in 1991.

Awesome Cody! I have always wanted to see this place and seeing it with you is the best. You are a real trooper getting up so early💖

Just there myself in March 2019. One important thing to note is that there are no toilets past the entrance so your time is limited by how long you can hold it. No out and back in for anyone. Also passports required. We were there four hours be sure you go with a local guide you won't know the stories without one. All worth it for sure. One of my 2.5 month trip highlights.

My son and I did a 4 day hike to Manchu Picchu in 2016. The last leg was flat along those railroad tracks and it was the most grueling part of the whole hike! But we had a beautiful day in the town and got to watch the people go crazy when Peru won a match in the World Cup, it was pandemonium! We had great weather up top like you did. What an amazingly beautiful place!

Thank you, this is exactly the kind of detail I needed for planning my trip. Good job!

A wonderful video. Really enjoyed seeing the little town at the base of the mountain. Added a lot of context, and made the little video journey to the mountain top all the more colorful. Thanks!

One of the best trips I've ever taken. You can't truly appreciate it though unless you do the Inca Trail

Beautiful video! - will visit Aguas Calientes too - thank you for your great energy that you brought to 'Machu Picchu - my land is calling me now - Blessings to you and yours from Las Vegas NV - Blessed It Be.

Just watched Moving Art on Netflix Series 3 episode 4 , was googling Machu Pichu information and stumbled on your video - you did a great job - what a trip and your photography was excellent! Don't think I will ever get there now - but it is so good to see it on your video. The information which you gave in relation to trains, buses and times for visiting will help so many people and is very practical. Well done!

thank you for showing aguas calientes. I was wondering how big of a town it was. Now I have a visual reference!

Fantastic job on this video. I like where you've been heading lately. Glad to be a viewer.

I've been lucky to travel extensively and Peru is right up there at the top of my favourite places in the world. Loved watching this as it reminded me of a very happy trip with my partner in 1999.

I visited in 1974, it was a mean feat to get there and the trip up the mountain was in an old VW trooper, hanging off the sides of the tiny dirt track to the site. What I would call now a white knuckle ride. There was barely a town at the base of the mountain where the train pulled in from Cusco just lots of single vendors trying to sell their fruit etc... still spectacular and the Lamas still spit at you👍 Great Video Kiddooo

I was there 3 years ago, hiking the 4 day Lares trekk to Machu Picchu then on to the Amazon Jungle ....This video brought back wonderful memories....one of the best places to go ....Peru is absolutely magical!! Once in a life time experience

This is pretty much exactly what it's like. I went up in the afternoon, and was up there for golden hour, but he's really captured the exprience perfectly.

THis is EXACTLY what a travel channel should show. I immediately subscribed. Can't wait for more content!

Wonderful video -thank you. Ten years ago, we arrived by train the day before and took an early morning bus -but not quite so early. The bus was nearly empty and we had the site nearly to ourselves for about three hours. It was glorious. It seemed like you could hear the stones singing. We engaged a guide to lead us around and then just wandered. About 11:00am, the day-trippers from Cusco arrived and the place was absolutely packed. We found a shady spot, ate our lunch and rested. About 3:00pm, everyone left for the train back to Cusco. We then had the place to ourselves again until the nearly the last bus down. Things have changed. One the one hand it is so good that more people are out seeing the world but on the other hand, places are packed with people, becoming "tourist" sites and getting trampled down.

Did the Inca trial in 2004, and the view you are showing in this exelente video brings me many memories. Thanks Cody!!

Costs of any trip can be debatable. I've been living in Peru for 3 years and what our buddy in this video didn't explain is Gringo Prices vs. Local Prices.

I went in 2012, and we could walk any where freely with out a guide. in the area where he first entered there is a hidden Inca trail that takes you around the back side of that mountain. The trail is incredible and extremely dangerous because the drop off is straight down, and there are no hand rails, but the views were spectacular.

I liked your video too. You gave really good advice about the train ride in, (great advice on the train) actually its excellent advice. I went one time to Machu PIcchu, it was amazing but I didn't get to see the sun set, had to leave to catch the bus to get to our train. I tell people you should stay 2 days. He's right, going early to the bus line helps. We didn't arrive until 5am and the line was very long. I missed the sunrise but my friend got to see it. Only thing I can add is new people going should also go do the Inca Bridge trail - it was off to the left - pretty cool and beautiful. Thanks again.

Thanks for showing the reality of getting to Machu Pichu. It's so different from what I had imagined.

Thanks Cody!...the whole process to see it seemed overwhelming. This gave me a better idea of what to expect. Good tip on the afternoon train.

Thank you for the tips, good to know what to expect, on the chance I ever get to visit..looks very touristy!!

Magnificent job!!! This is amazing and detailed video, explicitly explained...thank you!

Great vlog buddy. Like your blogging style. Easy and friendly with good info. Macho Pichu is definitely on my Bucket List.

Loving the new style travel videos!!Very informative and as someone who when visiting new places researches everything endlessly right down to the smallest detail (thanks anxiety 🙈) I feel these videos would give me the confidence to visit some places that I would not have thought to visit before.

thankyou! the context of the surroundings makes a difference.. the buses, train, the town etc.. it's all really interesting.. david, south wales, uk.. come to Wales! 🙂 x

Great video. Thanks for the tips on catching the midday train, spending a day in the town, buying the ticket for the next day, getting there early and their oneway system at the site. All useful information. Cheers

i walked up and down from the train. 1979. great presentation.

Thanks for another great video Cody, they keep getting better & better & are so interesting!

Amazingly well done! Very unique photography and camera skills. You go, Cody! Excellent.🤗

I was there in March 2019. Yes amazing and you did a good job relating the experience. Thanks

I'm loving the funny endings! Oh, I love the WHOLE video!!! So thankful for you sharing your adventure's💜

Hi Cody , that looks like a very nice quaint town and the scenery is awesome . 😊

Soooo amazing! Subbed! I hope to go here before i leave this life. You also are a phenominal photographer! Bless you, and thank you!🤩❤🤗

Great video Cody, your lucky to be able to travel the world to see these ancient wonders.

Thanks for the trip, Cody! Beautiful!

I have been to Machu Picchu twice and im in a wheelchair so i basically with great difficulty sit at one spot all day I was a bit disappointed you didnt show more of tthe actual ruins.

Great video and loved seeing the town you start out from and hearing the practical tips!

Just found you from Brett Conti's video and cant wait to see more travel vlogs

Great video Cody. You are right about that no one has done this video. I think it's a great town.

When I went to Machu Picchu in the summers, I took the 4 day hike. It is very beautiful and recommend it way more than the train ride.

This sends like any village in higher reaches of Himalayas...... so relatable

my sister an i did MP about 10 years ago,it was great. we were allowed to wander around freely and also to do the hike upto the inca ruins at the top of the mountain above machu picchu. you can also see the condor terraced construction directly opposite macchu picchu on the adjacent mountain side at certain times of the day when the sun was in the right position to show it. Amazing engineering feat, and not seen or known by many tourists.The township of Agua caliente is really interesting to shop and explore especially the local markets where alot of the locals sell their wares made from llama wool and other artisan items.

Very informative, the village is never mentioned really. I spent ages trying to get to Machu Picchu about 20-30 years back it was virtually impossible. Now its a lot easier Im in a wheelchair and that's almost impossible to get to Machu Picchu in, still could be worse I get to visit other locations. Thanks for sharing your journey. 👍👍

Thanks for the great tips, love it Cody, brother,.. greetings from ny...

I went to Machu Picchu in late 1976. Dont remember a town. Arrived late afternoon stayed in a tiny hotel behind the site. Tourists left back to Cusco and only half a dozen people in the hotel. When the lights turned off I have never seen such total dark. First in morning - tourists had not arrived and Machu Picchu belonged to me. Wandered around for a few hours all by myself and had a deep and meaningful conversation with a lama. No crowds with annoying clicking cameras. Magic.

Thank you for that. That was amazing. I will probably never see it in person. Just beautiful. And that train ride looked fantastic!!

All other videos are about who and how it was built ....but this is like going and being there to just enjoy the trip

Machu Picchu really reminds me of Banaue Rice Terraces tbh, even the town associated.

I visited in Aug 2018 and our day was spectacular! We had clear blue skies and some of us were even in shorts. This was a trip I will always cherish.

Good insights into what to expect. Definitely on my bucket list. Nice to see Aguas Calientes. Cheers from Idaho!

What a Marvel...lovely atmosphere...thank you for sharing!

Wow that town has grown about ten fold since I was there in 1996.

Loved the video. But, next time you go, you’ve got to make the trek to the actual peak of machu picchu. It is a spectacular 360 degree view of the entire valley. It’ s priceless!!!

I wanted to see more of the stonework!? Oh well good job!! Loved the small town at the base!

I was going to watch this for an accurate description until I heard the Spielberg music! Docta Jones! Docta Jones! Another tour guide film.

4:39 - Wow!!!! Those views look surreal!!! You look like you were superimposed on the view of Machu Picchu 😮

Been there twice. Not so much for the Inca "renovertion", but for the real megalitic constructions

Thank you for adding the smaller details, train, town, bus.

I did this a little differently and it worked out pretty good. We bought tickets in advance to hike the mountain that you see in the background called waynapicchu. Our entrance time was 8am and our time slop for the mountain was 10-11am. When we first arrived we went straight to the mountain and did the hike and once we finished, the one way path took us to the exit. We thought we couldn’t get back in. But since we had the mountain ticket we actually could go back in and got a 2nd stamp on our entrance ticket and this time we did the Machu Picchu tour. It was later in the afternoon around 2pm and it wasn’t that busy either.

Looks like my local shopping mall up there. How sad :( Beautiful places logged up by too many tourists. I'll go in off season thanks. Thanks for the video.

This is on my bucket list , thanks for all the great information and tips !

These were my ancestors always wanted to go maybe one day

Very interesting, loved ur presentation. Well done thanks again Cody. Take good care, as always keep Smiling !! ...👌👍

Cody thank you for showing us the beautiful and magical city of the Incas, is really amazing how they did it, I noticed this video has a lot production, edition, you put it a lot work, Great Job!!!!

Enjoyable video. Aimed at young travellers who want to do things quickly and take home an impressive list of places where they took selfies. When I went 14 years ago the "Inca Trail" was all booked up so I went on an 8 day hike via Choquekirao (sorry for the spelling). It wasn't busy, just another couple. Blood sucking bats flew around our heads on the campsite hoping to snack on our mules. Cody looks like a fun travelling companion. I think his presentation was informative, bite sized, entertaining.

Thanks for showing this beautiful wonder of my country. However, there is so much to see along Peru. My fav place is Callejón de Huaylas. You can see the most spectacular snow - capped mountains

Wow! when I went there you could wander wherever you wanted. I came in over the Inca Trail, waling i the pre-dawn for a couple of hours to get to the Sun Gate for dawn. It's well worth doing.

wow!!! increíble hermoso lugar!

At the peak of the Andes, and the only frosted tips I saw were Cody's! 😉. Nice video. I'm jealous you got to make that trip!

This was awesome Cody. Great video bud. 👍

One of the best presentations I have seen on You Tube. No indication of ego! Keep up the good work.

Yes very beautiful. We went there couple yr.ago. It's one's in a life time.

Wow! I just finished Yoga and this video pops up! I have a past life in Machu Picchu and this is my dream trip! Thank you for filming this, all the tips, the scenery, the work that went into this video. So appreciated - sending lots of love to you and fellow explorers! BTW - Your Newsletter link is broken :(

I just wanted to say thank you. Advertisement: long time for your channel.. Commercial!