Cusco to Machu Picchu: the Urubamba gorge

Peru, Cusco Region

-13.1559000, -72.5240000

KML Maps

Overview

The last ninety minutes are wedged between whitewater and cloud forest, with the view straight up through the ceiling.

Photography

When to Shoot Estimated

Best Months

Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct

Photography Tips

May to September is the dry season; April and October are shoulders. January to March is wet and the Inca Trail closes in February.

Photography Tools

Location Map

Planning Tools

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Access & Drone Info

Access

Difficulty Estimated

moderate

Scarcity stacks here: Machu Picchu entry is capped at 4,500 a day, rising to 5,600 in the 2026 peak, on timed circuits with no re-entry, and June to August sells out one to two weeks ahead. You need the train ticket, the circuit ticket and the bus ticket separately. Luggage on the train is limited to about 12 kg and tripods are impractical. Cusco sits at 3,400 metres — acclimatise before you shoot at altitude. Poroy is seasonal rather than closed: open roughly May to December, closing around January to April, and it was open as of late July 2026.

Informational only, not legal or travel advice. Visa, permit, drone and access rules differ by nationality and site and change often, so confirm with the official authority (linked where shown) before you travel, shoot or fly.

Drone

Drones Prohibited

Machu Picchu: Prohibited

↑ 122 m No night Registration req. Insurance req.

Dirección General de Aviación Civil (DGAC Peru) ↗ Full regulations →

Informational only, not legal advice. Rules change quickly — always verify with the managing authority before flying. Airspace authorization and land-owner permission are separate: clearance to use the airspace never grants permission to take off, land, or operate from the ground below it. Data last refreshed Jun 11, 2026.