Machu Picchu . It 's on most everybody 's bucket list , and for good reasons . It is one of the most transcendentally beautiful spots on earth . But how do you get to the Peruvian Andes , and what do you do to make the trip easy , comfortable and meaningful ? It 's not the attitude , but the altitude . Cuzco , the gateway to Machu Picchu , is more than 11,000 feet above sea level , a height that can cause altitude sickness , especially for travelers coming from low elevations . Machu Picchu is at 7,874 feet , so the best plan to mitigate altitude sickness is to arrive at Cuzco in the morning ( the first flight from Lima departs at 6 a.m. ) and then immediately grab the first train down to Machu Picchu . Enjoy Cuzco on the back end after acclimatization . How do you get there ? Several airlines have direct service from U.S. gateways to Lima , and from there it is an hour flight to Cuzco , the ancient Inca capital . LAN Airlines has the most direct routing as it serves several major U.S. cities , including Los Angeles , New York , San Francisco and Miami , with a seamless link to Cuzco . Once in Cuzco the choices are generally foot or train down to Machu Picchu . The Inca Trail is a five-day trek over some high passes . It is a spectacular way to enter the citadel of Machu Picchu , but it requires a measure of fitness . It is easy to take several types of trains the 70 miles from Cuzco to Aguas Calientes , the town at the base of the Lost City . The most deluxe train experience is the one-car Incan Princess . Once at Aguas Calientes it is a bus ride up a steep , severe chevron of a road to the Sacred City of the Inca . The government now limits the number of visitors to 5,000 a day , so it 's best to get your ticket in advance , as some folks have been turned away at the entrance gate after making the long trip . You can make your own arrangements or book through a number of veteran outfitters such as Mountain Travel Sobek . They will arrange all tickets , transfers , transport , accommodations and guides . When is the best time to see Machu Picchu ? Machu Picchu is open year-round , but October to April is the rainy season , and therefore it has the fewest visitors . The inconvenience of rain is offset by the lack to tourists , and it is worth considering . Avoid holidays if you can , as Machu Picchu and everything surrounding it is packed . Once at Aguas Calientes ( hotel tip : check in at The Inkaterra ) , to avoid the crowds and witness one of the most spectacular sunrises in the world , take the first bus from Aguas Calientes , which leaves at 5:30 a.m . It 's worth it . Hints for inside the citadel . There are no bathrooms , restaurants or drinking water once you enter the site , but there are facilities just before the entrance . So hold onto your entrance ticket so you can exit and re-enter . Pack sunscreen , a sun hat and water . Weather in the Andes can also change in an instant , so you should also pack a rain jacket . Sturdy shoes are a must . If you are in reasonable shape , sign up to climb Huayna Picchu , the famous peak within the ruins that appears in most photos . They only allow 400 a day to climb , so sign up the day before and go early for best views . What else can you do in the area ? If you have time , sign up for the day raft trip on the Urubamba through the Sacred Valley of the Incas -- one of the most spectacular float trips in the world . And , of course , plan on spending at least two days in Cuzco , a unique blend of European and Inca sensibilities with superb restaurants , hotels and accessible ruins . And try to make a stop at the nearby Pisac market , one of the most colorful bazaars in the world . Most people visit Pisac on Sunday , the main market day , but there are smaller markets on Tuesday and Thursday . Finally , consider extending your trip to other wonders of South America , including the Galapagos , Easter Island and Iguazu , all of which are served by LAN Airlines , with Lima as the hub . What makes Machu Picchu so special ? There is a harmony of elements here , the man-made and the natural . It is a stunning integration of architecture , setting , function , space and form . The Inca knew something we seek : When order combines with complexity , when elegance appears effortless and when there is a coherent but unspoken relationship among the parts , then there is enduring beauty . Richard Bangs is the producer for the upcoming public television special , `` South America : Quest for Wonder . ''
Going directly to Machu Picchu may help alleviate altitude sickness . Hold onto your entrance ticket so you can exit to use facilities and re-enter . Comment: