Tips for Taking the Best Photos of Machu Picchu: Professional Advice

Visiting Machu Picchu is a unique experience and one of the most impressive destinations in the world. For nature and photography lovers, capturing the essence of this site requires more than just pointing and shooting the camera. If you're a frequent visitor to natural places and want to take your photos to the next level, follow these professional tips for taking the best shots of Machu Picchu.

1. Choose the Right Time: The Best Hours to Photograph

Light is one of the most important factors in photography, especially outdoors. In Machu Picchu, natural light changes drastically throughout the day, so it’s key to take advantage of the "golden hours" to get the best results.

Recommended Times:

At sunrise (6:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.): The soft morning light creates long shadows and warm colors that enhance the details of the ruins. Plus, there are fewer tourists, making it easier to capture unobstructed shots.
At sunset (3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.): The evening light is also excellent for capturing the beauty of Machu Picchu without the harsh midday reflections. The colors tend to be warmer, and the diffuse light creates a magical atmosphere.

Avoid photographing at noon when the light is harsh and creates strong shadows, which can reduce the details in your images.

2. Consider the Weather and the Season

The weather in Machu Picchu can be unpredictable, especially during the rainy season (November to March). However, each season offers a unique opportunity to capture different aspects of the sanctuary.

Tips by Season:

Dry season (April to October): During these months, the weather is more predictable, which means clear skies and better visibility of the mountains and ruins. Ideal for capturing wide and sharp landscapes.
Rainy season (November to March): While there may be more fog and rain, this weather can add a dramatic touch to your photos, creating a mystical atmosphere with low clouds surrounding the mountains.

Bring a protector for your camera gear and be prepared to capture unexpected moments, like the fog lifting to reveal the ruins in all their splendor.

3. Find the Best Angles

Machu Picchu offers multiple perspectives, each with its own charm. To capture spectacular photos, it’s important to explore different angles and viewpoints.

Highlighted Spots:

From the Guardian’s House: This is the classic view that appears in most postcards. From here, you can capture Machu Picchu in its entirety, with the mountains in the background. It’s the perfect spot for the ideal panoramic photo.
Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu: If you have time and reserve in advance, climbing either of these mountains will give you an impressive aerial view of the ruins. Ideal for wide shots that showcase the magnitude of the site.
Within the ruins: Don’t forget to capture details inside the structures. The stone walls, windows, and terraces offer opportunities for photos with depth and perspective.

4. Use the Right Equipment

You don’t need an expensive camera to take good photos, but having the right equipment can significantly improve the results. Here are some recommendations:

Recommended Gear:

DSLR or Mirrorless Camera: It will give you more control over exposure and aperture, ideal for capturing details and landscapes in different lighting conditions.
Wide-angle lens: A wide-angle lens is perfect for capturing the vastness of Machu Picchu. It will allow you to include more elements in the frame without having to step too far back.
Tripod: For low-light shots, such as at sunrise or sunset, a tripod will help you avoid blurry photos due to lack of stability.
Polarizing filters: These filters reduce unwanted reflections and increase contrast, which is especially useful for capturing the blue sky and the details of the stones.
If you prefer to use your smartphone, make sure you have enough storage space and use apps that allow you to manually adjust exposure and focus.

5. Composition: How to Frame the Perfect Shot

The art of composition is fundamental to achieving attractive and balanced photos. Machu Picchu offers a variety of elements you can use to create visually impactful images.

Composition Tips:

Rule of thirds: Divide the image into a 3x3 grid and place the key elements (like the ruins or mountains) at the intersections of the lines. This will add more dynamism to your photo.
Leading lines: Use the natural lines of the terraces and walls to guide the viewer's eye toward the center of the image.
Scale: Include people or nearby elements in the photo to show the monumental scale of Machu Picchu compared to the surroundings.

Always experiment with different angles and compositions until you find the image that best conveys the essence of the place.

6. Capture the Local Atmosphere

Machu Picchu is more than just ruins. The life around the site is also part of the experience. Don’t forget to capture the flora, fauna, and local culture to complement your photos.

Details to Include:

Llamas and alpacas: These animals are part of the landscape of Machu Picchu. Capturing a photo of them on the terraces adds an authentic and characteristic touch to the place.
Nature: The mountains surrounding Machu Picchu and the vegetation that envelops it can be protagonists of beautiful photos, especially if you play with close-up focus.
Culture: If you have the chance to interact with local guides or nearby communities, you can capture genuine moments that reflect the cultural richness of the area.

7. Don’t Forget to Enjoy the Moment

Finally, although taking incredible photos is a priority, don’t forget to enjoy the moment. Machu Picchu is a place full of history and energy, and it’s worth disconnecting for a few minutes to absorb everything around you.

After capturing your best shots, there’s nothing better than resting in a place that offers the same level of peace and comfort as the experience you’ve just lived. We invite you to stay at Casa del Sol Machu Picchu Boutique Hotel, located in the heart of Aguas Calientes. Enjoy the privileged view of the Vilcanota River, relax in their comfortable rooms, and recharge with their exquisite cuisine. The hotel offers the perfect ambiance for those looking to combine adventure, nature, and luxury in one experience.

Don’t hesitate to book your stay today and complete your Machu Picchu visit with an unforgettable stay at Casa del Sol Machu Picchu Boutique Hotel.

Wonderful stay

The hotel is beautiful, elegant, and decorated very tastefully. The atmosphere very nice. Very comfortable, spacious room with terrace, jacuzzi, and river view !!Spectacular! The shower a delight. All the staff is very friendly and helpful. Congratulations on having such dedicated and cordial staff. The dinners were delicious, very thoughtful, and original dishes. Our stay at the hotel was memorable.

HAH_2014df

1/5

Excellent

We stayed one night there and really the service has been exceptional. I have nothing but good words for the establishment. We stayed in a suite which was excellent! It had a jacuzzi. Breakfast very good. The staff is always attentive. And the restaurant is a luxury. We took the 4-step menu and it has been spectacular. I would definitely go back and recommend it.

Lola L

2/5

Beautiful hotel and wonderful breakfast!

We enjoyed our stay here while visiting Machu Picchu. The hotel was very clean, the staff very friendly and polite, and the breakfast was amazing! Seriously, the breakfast was really a beautiful spread of so many options. It is in a nice location and easy to explore from there.

Overall a really nice and would recommend it!

Martin

3/5

Unforgettable

I went to Machupicchu with family and stayed at the Casa Del Sol hotel again. The hotel is just beautiful. There have been renovations since I was last there, the dining room is beautiful and crisp! An absolute delight to dine in. But the best part of the hotel is the people. The staff really goes above and beyond to make sure we have every need attended to! The staff welcomed us back like old friends, and even helped us celebrate my mother's birthday with a bottle of wine! We stayed for 2 nights, but we could have stayed longer just to enjoy the rooms and the spa.

Chrissy

4/5

Beautiful Hotel in Aguascalientes

I loved staying at the hotel so much! As soon as we got off our bus we were greeted by very friendly staff and walked less than 100 meters to the hotel. Their food is amazing and staying in this hotel is so relaxing, especially after a day spent in Machu Picchu. Every single one of the staff is so friendly and makes sure you are as comfortable and happy as you can be. I especially loved how the hotel was just next to the river and the beautiful rooms they provided. I hope I can go back someday!

Mikenzie T

5/5