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New rules to protect this sacred site means that a visit to Machu Picchu has to be planned long in advance, and all rules should be noted as it could scupper your chances of entering (or staying entered) even if you do have a ticket. Here is what you need to know to enjoy your trip to the max.

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What to Expect

Scenery that is as likely to take your breath away as the high altitude! There’s 20 per cent less oxygen at Machu Picchu, so acclimatising before your trip is advised as is understanding the new rules and restrictions.

Post-pandemic the heritage site decided that it was a great opportunity to bury its murky past of mass-tourism and the negative impact it had on the local environment as well as it’s reputation.

Numbers of visitors are restricted to varying degrees both on the many trails and on the site itself. Here are the important things to know:

• No tickets are on sale at the gates – they must be purchased in advance.
• Purchase online is the easiest option but it will help to know a little Spanish.
• Purchasing in person (only worth it if arriving in Peru on a longstay trip) will require a decent knowledge of the language.

Tickets for a tour generally include the entry price for the Citadel.
Tickets are available only for designated time slots between 6am and 2pm (don’t panic, it is open until 5pm, that is just the last entry slot)

Tickets are now only applicable to the routes and areas you want to explore, and the number of tickets available per day are at time of publishing as follows

• Machu Picchu Citadel – 2100
• Machu Picchu Mountain – 400
• Huayna Picchu Mountain – 200
• Huchuy Picchu Mountain – 200
• Standard Inca Trail – 350
• Short Inca Trail – 150

You can purchase combined tickets, but again due to restricted numbers at any one time the more complex your time here the further in advance you should book.

Another change to the rules including the route you take through the Citadel – you can no longer just wander about, you have to choose just one designated route and stick to it. There are 4 to choose from so do your research carefully.

There are a lot more guards on the site, so don’t flout the rules  as you will be invited to leave if you are caught. These include:

• No food (water bottles are allowed)
• No drones
• No tripods or selfie sticks
• No wild wees
• No large backpacks – if you arrive with one you’ll have to leave it at the entrance

The three most important things to know are:

1. There is NO RE-ENTRY! Once you are out of those gates, you are not going back in.

2. There are no toilets beyond the entryway – so remember to go before you go in because you won’t be allowed back in if you want to pop back out for a pee.

3. Take your passport – you won’t get in without it, not even a photocopy or digital image will do.

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When to visit Machu Picchu

June may officially be the start of the winter in Machu Picchu, but not only is it the driest time of the year to visit, the temperature in the day is comfortable enough to hike to your heart’s content through this beautiful landscape. That said, it is also the start of the busy season so you may find it trickier than before to get a ticket now that the numbers are limited. General consensus however is to avoid July and August if at all possible as it is the busiest time of the year.

The time to avoid Machu Picchu for sure is between November and March when the downpours are huge. It also impacts visibility, and that will definitely feel like one wasted trip of a lifetime! Be warned that mists and fog can appear any time of the year, so the drier the conditions are meant to be, the better.

How to “do” Machu Picchu

You can arrive by bus, you can arrive by train or you can hike. As we have a passion for action and adventure the latter is the option we’d whole heartedly recommend.

Treks to Machu Picchu vary between 1 and 12 days taking visitors along the Inca Trail, the Alternative Inca Trail (aka Salkantay), or the Mountain Lodges Route.

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Travel Safety in Machu Picchu

Common sense will see you through – pack plenty of water and sunscreen and be mindful of opportunistic pickpockets!

Beyond Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, especially in Cusco and Lima you’ll need to be more vigilant, and make sure you have travel insurance that covers you in the event of theft as there has been a high number of unscrupulous taxi drivers forcing passengers to withdraw large amount of money at ATMs. Never get in an unregistered taxi, and try to order by phone rather than hail if you need one.

Specialist Travel Insurance for High Altitude Treks

Altitude could also bring problems, but not just in terms of sickness – did you know that trekking at altitude is something not usually covered by standard travel insurance policies? With Machu Picchu standing at 2,450m above sea level and nearby Cusco (your entryway to Machu Picchu by air and by train) 3,400m you need to be sure that you get the cover you need on your policy – make sure to ask your longstay travel insurance specialist if your policy covers you for what you plan to do!

A wonder of the world with views that will fill you with awe and a sense of adventure. The Grand Canyon in Arizona is one of our Bucket List adventures-of-a-lifetime – here is what you can see and do during a trip to this part of the world.

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Best Time To Go Travel To The Grand Canyon

Did you know that May is the best time of year to take a trip to the Grand Canyon on a kayak adventure? The skies are clear and the temperatures are high – which means you’ll soon warm up if you take an unexpected dip in the chilly waters! The rainfall is low between April and June, but things start getting really hot at the end of April when the mercury rises above 30. June, July and August temperatures hover around 40 – the only place to be at this time of the year is in one of the dark bars in the nearby city of Phoenix, a top travel tip from our blog on Wilderness City Breaks in The USA.

Things To Do At The Grand Canyon

At 270 miles long and 18 miles wide, there is a lot to discover at the Grand Canyon. Much of it sits with the Grand Canyon National Park, but there are bits on Native American land.

• Grand Canyon Village – It’s the most popular entrance to the park, and it is one of the best places to view the canyon, from Yavapai Point. There is also a Geology Museum here and a shuttle bus that gives visitors great views, especially good if visiting just for a day or two or with children.
• South Rim – The South Rim is lower than the North Rim, so generally accessible all year round as the roads aren’t often closed by snow in the winter. It is also closer to towns which makes it a more popular side to visit. There is a 25 mile stretch that is worth seeking out, popular for scenic desert views.
• North Rim – The North Rim is less accessible and less visited because there is only one road to get you there at it’s usually only open mid-May to mid-October. Due to being a bit higher, the views from the North Rim are said to be more impressive, especially Cape Royal which offers the widest views.

Did you know? There is only around 17 miles separating the North Rim from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon – however, it’s a 5 hour trip covering 220 miles between the two!

• Grand Canyon Skywalk – Another way to get an impressive view of the impressive vistas is to head to the man-made Skywalk. A horseshoe-shape reinforced glass-bottomed walkway that hangs out over the canyon. Certainly not for the feint hearted!
• Kayaking & Rafting – We know the Grand Canyon is big, but did you know that The Colorado River sits a whole mile below one of the rims? There are many ways to enjoy the Colorado River and the views of the Canyon from below, from smooth-water motorised trips to level IV white-knuckle white water rafting adventures. There is even an incredible 12 day adventure that covers 200 miles taking those with enough experience through the varied terrain both on the water and on land.
• Hiking & Trekking – The hiking season is long at the Grand Canyon, with only the hottest summer months off the agenda for most people. Winter is a favourite time because there is more of a chance that you can soak up the spectacular scenery all by yourself. The big question is usually what do you want to take in, as this will determine when to go. The bottom of the canyon is arid and hot, and the tops of the rims are home to plentiful forests, a full four seasons with the summer bringing intense thunderstorms. The advice is to NOT BACKPACK WITHOUT A GUIDE who specialises in desert hiking in the summer months if down in the canyon.

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How Safe Is The Grand Canyon?

The biggest risks at the Grand Canyon are falls, heatstroke, dehydration and drowning. The safety advice is to take care when you go, so pick the right season for your activity (remember that there is a vast difference in temperature and terrain between the top and bottom of the canyon, and north rim and south rim!), and never underestimate what mother nature can do with weather! Flash floods are a real danger here, and even the most seasoned hikers have to be aware that the heat here can be fatal. Dress in layers, and always carry plenty of water with you whatever the time of year – the canyon area is huge and remote.

Of course, make sure that you get yourself some travel insurance before you visit.

Not only can it offer a lifeline in the event of illness or injury, it can offer peace of mind with repatriation if you need it and protect from extremely costly medical bills in the US. We even offer specialist insurance for sports and activities on holiday so that you are covered for hiking, trekking, kayaking and white water rafting adventures.

Japan has a wealth of natural wonders and cultural gems to explore – here we take a brief look at three Japanese dream destinations that are on every serious traveller’s itinerary, and share some top tips to make your trip more enjoyable.

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Where To Go: Tokyo vs Kyoto

Kyoto was once the capital of the country, and it remains a historical gem, a time capsule of Japanese culture. Here you’ll find Geishas, teashops, temples, and shrines set amongst delightful scenery. The magic of Kyoto is kept in place by strict development regulations, so no tall buildings or new metro lines allowed! Kyoto is the place to be at this time of year too as the Cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Top tip is to take the bullet train from Kyoto to Tokyo, the new Capital to catch some stunning views of Mount Fuji.

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Tokyo is the polar opposite of Kyoto. It is a futuristic metropolis bathed in glorious neon, and brimming with forward thinking tech. The pace of life here is fast and full on and consumerism is a way of life – but don’t be fooled into thinking that is all Tokyo has to offer. It may be a vast and highly populated city, but there are plenty of beautiful open spaces, and many temples and shrines survived the onslaught of WW2, be sure to visit the Imperial Palace in Kokyo Gaien National Gardens.

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Take Some Time Out on a Tropical Beach

Japan has a wealth of gorgeous beaches that boast white sands and emerald seas but arguably none are more wonderful than those in Okinawa. Okinawa’s tropical climate, coral reefs, and extended good weather season make it the place to head for some rest and recuperation, as well as watersports activities. Many of the beaches are remote, there are over 100 in total, but at the most popular you’ll find diving, snorkelling, boat trips and kayaking all available, Manza is probably the best known.

Don’t forget your travel insurance – especially if you are thinking of heading to the beach for some watersports fun! Our Wintersport & Ski Travel Insurance also offers  specialist cover for watersports such as diving, snorkelling, kayaking, boating and so much more.

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What to Eat

Japan is a foodies delight! Sushi and Sashimi are probably the most famed types of food. As a brief overview sushi refers to the rice which either comes  topped with or  encasing fish or vegetables, and sometimes wrapped in seaweed (aka maki); sashimi on the other hand is usually just thinly  sliced raw fish sometimes with a leaf but never with rice. Ramen noodles are a popular hot dish, and no trip would be complete without sampling some tempura – a fried dish made with a delicate batter covering either seafood or vegetables.

What to Drink

Saki is considered the national drink of Japan, a fermented rice wine that is often drunk warm and considered quite potent.Amazake translates as “sweet sake” and is a low alcohol, or zero-alcohol version.Green tea is the most consumed beverage in Japan, and at the heart of the Japanese Tea Ceremony. There are loads of different types of Green Tea in Japan: Ryokucha, Matcha, Konacha, Hojicha, Genmaicha, so take time to go on a Japanese Tea Tasting Tour during your stay.

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Good to Know

• Don’t tip in Japan. Be it taxi driver, waiter, waitress, bartender… you are more likely to cause offence if you try and pay extra.
• Best time to go to Japan is in spring for the cherry blossom or autumn for the spectacular sight of leaves turning red.
• You may want to avoid Golden Week usually end of April/start of May as it’s the biggest national holiday in Japan and VERY busy. Silver Week in the latter half of September is also best avoided for the same reasons.