Machu Picchu is an obligatory stop on a trip to Peru, and not only because you visit one of the 7 Wonders of the modern World, but because it generates something so special that at the same time it is indescribable. And we are going to tell you how to get to Machu Picchu in the best way according to your possibilities.
In its Spanish translation, Machu Picchu means “old mountain.” The beauty and magic that exists in this place truly leaves you speechless. Located in the Andes mountain range at 2430 meters above sea level, within the province of Urubamba, region of Cusco. Its location responds to the need of the Inca State to have a political, religious and administrative space within a sacred space, considered the link between the Andes and the Amazon.
It was declared a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary in 1981 and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1983. It is part of a cultural and ecological complex known as ‘Historical Sanctuary of Machu Picchu’.
Machu Picchu is the most important Inca archaeological site due to its creative urban design, the beauty of its architecture and the fine stone work of its constructions, one is there and cannot understand how the Incas built that. It was built in the 15th century by the Inca Pachacuteq, abandoned during the years of the Spanish colony and rediscovered in 1911. The gigantic stones formed walls that the Incas used for different purposes.
According to research, one of the functions that Machu Picchu had is that it would have been created as a sacred place, where the gods were worshiped. The most important for them was the Sun God. Today it is also known that it functioned as a place of cultivation, since it has a climate that became ideal for the coca leaf, fruits, vegetables, among other foods.
Today it is one of the most biologically rich areas in Peru, housing more than sixty archaeological monuments perfectly articulated in a complex network of Inca roads. This network is part of the road system of pre-Hispanic roads that had a regionally integrating function. With this we can see the advanced technological degree that existed in the Andean civilizations.
How to get to Machu Picchu by train
On this path to one of the Wonders of the World, you will encounter the most incredible and dreamed-of landscapes. You will be able to see imposing mountains full of vegetation and the Urumbamba River, until entering the forest that surrounds the Inca Citadel and the small town of Aguas Calientes.
We can recommend from our experience, the train trip from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. The service we contracted with Inca Rail was The Voyager Premium & Lounge on the way, and the common service on the way back, which for us was magical. There are several categories to choose from depending on whether you prefer something cheaper or a more complete experience.
You can purchase tickets at the Ollantaytambo station but we know that they sell out very quickly, so it is best to buy them in advance before traveling to Peru. The options are Inca Rail and Perú Rail. The entrance to Machu Picchu must also be purchased in advance because places sell out.
Prices are around USD 65 per way per person, although depending on the time of year it can be a little cheaper, but also more expensive if you don’t book in advance. The hours of these companies vary approx. from 6am to 9pm. As for luggage, we carried a medium-sized backpack, but we saw that there were suitcases, we suppose, up to 8kg. Find out by company.
To understand the way to Machu Picchu you have to divide it into 4 stops: CUSCO – OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU.
The train we took was from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. To get to Ollantaytambo you can do it by train, van or on an excursion to the Sacred Valley like we did.
Once in Ollantaytambo you can take the train or walk along the tracks, where it will take about 4 hours in the latter case to reach Aguas Calientes.
Once in Aguas Calientes, all that remains is to get to Machu Picchu, which can be done in a small bus or on foot.
Train From Cusco
The train companies to Machu Picchu from Cusco have a “bimodal” service. This is made up of a trip in a private van to the Ollantaytambo station, lasting approximately one and a half hours. Upon arrival they will board the train to Aguas Calientes, also called Machu Picchu Pueblo, and the duration is also approximately an hour and a half. Considering that this route has a total duration of approximately 3 hoursit is a little more expensive.
As we explained above, the prices of these tickets may be tied to availability and whether you choose to travel in high or low season. We understand high season to be the dates between April and October, and low season between November and March. It will also depend on how much time before the trip you have to buy your ticket.
From Ollantaytambo
From Ollantaytambo the train journey lasts approximately one hour and forty minutes to Aguas Calientes, the town located at the foot of the Machu Picchu mountain. The station has a waiting room with bathrooms and a cafeteria.
Our experience with the Premium & Lounge service on the way was magical, due to the comfort inside the car and the beautiful views that we enjoyed from the balcony where you can go out to see and take photos with the landscape. Seating is available at two- and four-person tables. Inside the train there is bar and food service.
This ticket had the same value as The Voyager 360º, which has incredible views because the car is all glass. Still, our experience in the Premium & Lounge was incredible, so all the options on the train are worth it.
When you arrive in Aguas Calientes, 100 meters from the station, you can buy the ticket for the bus that will take you on and off. It is not necessary to take it in advance because a bus leaves every ten minutes. The price is 24 dollars per person round trip and they only need to present a passport or ID.
The ticket we bought to go up to Machu Picchu on the first day was at 2:00 p.m., and on the second day it was at 5:00 a.m. to go up first thing in the morning. It was an inexplicable experience and we hope you can live it. We especially recommend doing it with a tour guide to get the most out of the experience and to learn more about the history of this Wonder of the World.
How to get to Machu Picchu by Hydroelectric route
This route leads to the town of Aguas Calientes through a bus and train trip (or on foot) that crosses the so-called hydroelectric power plant. The journey takes 6 to 8 hours and crosses the jungle landscapes around Machu Picchu. This option is more adventurous than the train, and more economical for those who prefer it.
This alternative route can be divided into different sections, depending on how you want to organize yourself. In the first section you can go by bus from Cusco to the town of Santa Teresa with a duration of 6 hours, and there you can take the collective taxi to the hydroelectric plant (duration 30 minutes). Once at the plant you can choose to go to Aguas Calientes on foot: a walk parallel to the Vilcanota River (the duration may vary depending on the pace, 2 or 3 hours). Or by train: you board a common train in tourist class with a duration of 45 minutes.
Having already arrived in Aguas Calientes, the procedure to climb Machu Picchu will be as mentioned above. Buying the bus ticket that includes getting on and off the archaeological site (this will last approx. 30 minutes) or you can complete this adventure on foot. It is essential to take the recommendations on the height for these sections and the fact that it can take 2 hours to walk up. It is also good to research the climate in these options, since being jungles the walking paths may be affected. The best time to take this route is from April to October, as it is the driest.
Another option to take into account is to stop as you progress along the route. For example, in the town of Santa Teresa you can visit the Cocalmayo thermal baths, a beautiful place to relax in the middle of nature.
The only company that operates with this option is Perú Rail. By alternating all these possibilities with this route, the Final price of the trip may range from US$12 to US$67 at most.
Inca Trail
The Inca Trail is one of the 5 best hikes in the world and the most recommended on how to get to Machu Picchu. This route is the oldest and most incredible way to travel, just as the Incas did almost 600 years ago. You should know that both for this option and for the hydroelectric route you will have to be somewhat fit to be able to exceed the hours of trekking.
This option must be taken at least six months in advance since it has limited spaces of up to 200 people. Any tour to the Inca Trail must include: entrance to Machu Picchu, cooks, porters, camp, tour guide and return to Cusco (by bus and train). The only way to do this is by purchasing a tour through a tourism agency that has the corresponding permit, since you cannot start without authorization. Tourism agencies are in charge of processing this authorization.
Take into account the weather as in the previous route since in February is the only month that the road remains closed due to the heavy rains. The rest of the year it is open as normal. Likewise, keep in mind that since the climate is so changeable, they will be hot during the day and at night they should be well protected.
The traditional path is 40 kilometers long, which takes 4 days of walking approx. The route will take you along mountain roads and different rivers until you arrive at Machu Picchu through the Puerta del Sol, which was the main gate in the time of the Incas.
On this way It is not authorized to do the tour on your ownsince it has restrictions that do not allow entry without a tour guide for reasons of environmental protection and care of the more than 500-year-old path.
Alternative routes to reach Machu Picchu
- The Salkantay Trek is one of the alternative routes to Machu Picchu. It lasts 5 days and 4 nights and crosses the famous snow-capped Salkantay.
- The Choquequirao hiking route joins Machu Picchu and is an 8 or 9 day hike.
- The Lares Trek is a 4-day, 3-night hike through high-altitude landscapes until arriving at Machu Picchu.
- The Huchuy Qosqo trek is a simple route of only 3 days and 2 nights that covers only 17 kilometers and ends in Machu Picchu. It is recommended for the whole family.
- There is a short version of the Inca Trail that lasts 2 days. This option is ideal for travelers who do not have enough time to do the 4-day route since it covers only 12km to reach Machu Picchu through Puerta del Sol.
The availability of admission to the alternative Inca Trail is not as in demand as the classic version. You can reserve 2 or 3 weeks in advance. The prices of all these options are various, and will depend on the combinations you choose to make. There are options with discounts for students and those under 18 years of age.