Machu Picchu is one of the safer international destinations most travelers will visit — but a few specific risks come up often enough that they’re worth planning for. Here’s what to know.
Safety considerations:
Altitude: Machu Picchu sits at 2,430 m (7,970 feet) — modest by Andean standards, but Cusco (3,400 m) is where most travelers feel it. Spend 2–3 nights in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before heading up. Hydrate heavily, go easy on alcohol, and consider acetazolamide if you’ve reacted badly to altitude before. Peruways builds this acclimatization into our itineraries.
Trekking hazards: The Inca Trail and alternative routes (Salkantay, Lares) involve high passes — Dead Woman’s Pass on the classic Inca Trail hits 4,215 m. Weather turns fast, trails get muddy, and the drops are real. Peruways uses only licensed trekking operators with trained guides, and we don’t send travelers on routes they’re not fit for.
Health and hygiene: Travelers’ diarrhea is the most common complaint, usually from street food or ice. Bottled water, cooked food, and sensible choices clear most of it. Peruways’ partner hotels and restaurants work to maintained hygiene standards, and we have medical contacts in Cusco and Aguas Calientes.
Why travelers choose Peruways:
Local staff: Our team is based in Cusco. If something goes wrong — missed train, altitude sickness, lost passport — someone picks up the phone and sorts it in-country.
Customized itineraries: Classic Inca Trail, two-day family visits, luxury Hiram Bingham combinations — we build the trip around what you want, not a fixed set of departures.
Logistics handled: Peru runs on specific operators (PeruRail, Inca Rail, Consettur, Ministry of Culture tickets). We work with all of them and chain the bookings so you aren’t juggling five vendors.
Safety baseline: Vehicle checks, licensed guides, hotels we actually know. The small things.
In summary: Machu Picchu is safe for most travelers who prepare for the altitude and book with an operator that knows the ground. Peruways handles the practical side so you don’t have to.
Plan your visit with Peruways.
