Everyone who goes to Peru has Machu Picchu on their bucket list to visit. It is after all one of the seven wonders of the World. It should be on anyone’s bucket list as it is an amazing, mystical and interesting place but how do you get there? How much does it cost? When should I go? What is the easiest route? Is it expensive? What transport options are there? We will explain everything you need to know before going to Machu Picchu!
MACHU PICCHU IS NOT CUSCO
To get to Machu Picchu, it will take about 3.5 hours from Cusco. Or if you going from Ollantaytambo, it will take about 1.5 hours. At Machu Picchu, you will arrive in a small town called Aguas Caliente. It will take another 30 minutes to get to Machu Picchu by bus. But we will explain more about this later.
HOW DO YOU GET TO MACHU PICCHU THEN?
Most backpackers and regular travelers start the track to Machu Picchu from Cusco. Cusco itself is a great city and well worth spending at least a few days in – the food, drink and atmosphere all make it a great place to be. If you want any information on Cusco please drop me an email. My regret was i didn’t stay longer in Cusco.
It is not super easy or cheap to get to Machu Picchu
Getting to Machu Picchu is not an easy as you might think. There are options of rail or hiking ( and there is a public transport option described by alongdustyroads). I decided to go by rail as to hike for 4 or 5 days after several months traveling would ,for me ,have been too much.
Trekking to Machu Picchu Can be Tough and Always Good to Train Beforehand
I met many people of various ages who did hike and although it was hard , especially the second day, they all thought it was an amazing once in a lifetime event. You can hike no matter what your age but do try and get some training in beforehand. The air is thin and you will need to acclimatize and probably take some medication. Anyway back to how to get to Machu Picchu.
THERE IS MORE THAN MACHU PICCHU NEAR CUSCO
In Cusco there are lots of good quality places to stay from hostels to hotels. I stayed in the vibrant and fun Loki (see my other review).
From Loki we took a sight seeing trip which involved 5 great sights from villages to Famous Inca sights of Moray to the very famous and interesting salt ponds of Maras (SACRED VALLEY)
The salt ponds were amazing as the tour bus navigated the poor road to the salt ponds and they came into sight there was an audible gasp of omg at this amazing amazing feature came into sight.
Many now suggest the salt pounds are just as amazing as MP itself. This tour cost 20 dollars through Loki travel and includes an excellent lunch.
I didn’t return to Cusco on the trip but left it in the village of Inca to get the famous train to MP. This was an excellent tour and well worth the money. To be dropped off at the train station in Ollyantambo (instead of going back to cusco) was also perfect just an hour before the train. An hour gap allows you time to get your tickets, water and get the camera ready.
As you can see in the map below, you can do a day trip to Sacred Valley, and then go to Machu Picchu from there LATE AFTERNOON. I will explain later why going to Machu Picchu late afternoon would be better than staying in Machu Picchu for too long.
THE TRAIN STATION
The Ollyantambo station is only small but all runs with precision and efficiency. The train arrived and was full of departing passengers all full of smiles from their own experiences. Their journey had ended and mine was beginning. The train was quickly cleaned and we were invited to board. Remember please to have your ticket and your passport or you cannot board the train!!!!
I described the trains in my other post please see the post for more detailed information. the train is amazing in itself and the journey is dramatic and beautiful. Take your time get comfortable be prepared with your camera relax and enjoy. I have travelled all over for the past six months but the views here and the landscape with the glaciers and the huge glacial river that eventually reaches the Amazon is AMAZING!
Tips before and For the train
- Be prepared. The train does not have WiFi so have your route planned from the train station to the hostel or hotel.
- Take any references or items you need keep a picture on your phone it’s far easier than struggling when you arrive.
- Passport and ticket in hand
- Forward facing seats to appreciate the view
- The standard train is fine don’t pay for the more expensive trains it’s really not needed (Unless you are going for the First Class. 360 and voyager are almost the same)
ARRIVAL IN MACHU PICCHU : AGUAS CALIENTES
You Arrive in Aguas Calientes and NOT MACHU PICCHU
After about 2 hours you will arrive in Aguas Calientes (30 minutes away from Machu Picchu). The train journey goes quickly. When you depart the train you leave the train station and walk directly into a covered market selling tourist trinkets. This market is big and confusing and not that easy to find your way out of it.
So before you leave please take a picture of the route to your hotel or hostel. If not you will get lost. There is no WiFi on the train or in the station so be prepared. I didn’t do this and had to pay a young girl to walk me through the market to the hostel. A little embarrassing for a seasoned traveller.
Aguas Calientes is the Main Town before heading to Machu Picchu
After about a 10 minute walk from the station ( thanks to the helpful local girl) I arrived at the hostel. We stayed and Eco Packer Hostel which was fine but more expensive than most other places probably because this small village receives 8000 visitors a day in high season!!
Book Your Hostel or Hotel in Aguas Calientes, as There Is Only One Hotel in Machu Picchu
There is the famous Belmond hotel inside Machu Picchu. All the other hotels and hostels are in Aguas Caliente. Unless you are going to book Belmond, you will have to book it in Aguas Caliente. If you are going to book Belmond hotel in Machu Picchu please let us know. We can give you the perks that you cannon get on booking.com.
You can out a form about your travel style and needs. You can reach us by What’s App by clicking below or send a message on FB Message on below right.
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Perks and Benefits Staying at Belmond Hotel with me • VIP welcome treats with a local taste
• Buffet or full breakfast daily for two • Welcome letter from General Manager recognizing your agency • Space available complimentary upgrade on arrival • Complimentary Wi-Fi • Clients who spend a min. of US$5,000* at any one property or tour are eligible to receive a US$500 gift voucher for future travel of $2,500 or more at a different Belmond property (to be booked by the agent) Premium Amenities using Bellini Club rate code – Hotels
• $90 fully flexible hotel/resort credit per junior suite or room, per stay • $200 fully flexible hotel/resort credit per full suite, per stay |
Where to Eat in Aguas Caliente
There is not many choice for good restaurant but the most famous ones are Indio Feliz (which is number one on Trip Advisor) and Tree House. I only tried Tree House but it was decent for a remote town. But the price was quite high compared to other restaurants in the neighborhood.
We were going to try Indio Feliz the next day after Machu Picchu but it wasn’t open. So we ended up at Mapacho which was pretty good (I know I got some cheap taste and loved that frozen pizza lol).
The village is small. There isn’t much character or a lot to do so only spend the night here. Don’t spend more time here. That is why it was perfect for us to do the Sacred Valley tour in the morning and took the train from Ollantaytambo in the afternoon. And then we were able to go to Machu Picchu in the morning.
HEADING TO MACHU PICCHU
The guide I booked came to the hostel with the tickets for the important trip to MP in the morning. If you are interested in doing the private tour, check Viator’s website. Here is the link of the tour we booked.
Try to Book a Group of Private Tour as You Will Have a Better Understanding of the rocks and houses (No description in Machu Picchu)
It all included the bus ticket and the entrance for the Machu Picchu. If you are going to Machu Picchu, I think you really need a private or group tour, because the history is deep and interesting. But if you don’t have tour guide, Machu Picchu will be just many rocks and houses on top of the mountain (I mean, it is impressive as it is, but more impressive when you know the meanings of the rock).
Like I said before, I thought the village was MP but it is not. The village is called Aguas Calientes and MP is 30 mins by bus up a steep hill or a two hour climb up a steep hill to the entry point. It had already been a long day we left Cusco at 5 am and arrived MP 6 pm (we did the tour on route) but it is a long trip.
GETTING THE BUS FROM AGUAS CALIENTES TO MACHU PICCHU
The guide then explained the best thing to do in the morning to beat the crowds of people was to get to the bus station at 5am!!!! The first bus leaves at 5:15am and the crowds starting lining up at 2am!! Yes 2 am!!! We arrived at the bus station at 5:05am and the line was very long already. We joined the back with our guide it was cold wet and dark but nobody was feeling the damp and the tiredness everyone was excited for MP.
The First Bus Leaves at 5:15 AM, and Every Second the Line Gets Longer (We Left the Hostal at 5:00AM)
The line goes very quickly and as you wait locals sell coffee, snacks and anything else you might need. We bought a water proof jacket whilst we lined up – we didn’t actually need it in the end and if you do need one but it in the village not in the line as in the village they are half the price!!!!
Sit on the Left Side on the Bus As You Will Be Able to See the View of the Mountains
The bus came we jumped on and it began its steep dramatic climb to MP. The views are fantastic and going by bus allows you the time to enjoy yet trip. We saw many people walking up and some were struggling with the steps. Don’t underestimate the climb it is two hours and hard work. If you really want to walk then why not bus up and walk down!!! That would make more sense and allow you to do both things (That is what all the people at the hostal told people to do).
The bus takes about 30 mins and you arrive at the gate to Machu Picchu.
TOILET in MACHU PICCHU
Go to the toilet BEFORE going into MP. There are NO toilets inside MP. You need to pay for the toilet so have small change ready the cost is 2S. The toilets are clean and well kept.
FINALLY MACHU PICCHU
Finally at the entrance to MP. There was no line so straight in then another 20 min steep climb. Finally after a short climb, you see the awesome MP. Well awesome with a full fog.. The tour guide told us that it will have to after 9:00AM usually, when you see the clear sky. So almost everyday (especially during rainy season), you will encounter fog.
You can walk through MP with your guide it takes about 3 hours and then you can go back in and take some final photographs as the light will have changed from your 6:00 am arrival. The only issue is the 30 minute climb again but it really is worth it.
There Will be Fogs in the Early Morning, so You will Have to Do Two Trips
After the trip to MP get the bus or walk down. Have lunch in the town and then prepare for the awesome rail journey back. After the rain the rain company organised a coach back to Cusco. This journey is another 2 to 3 hours but you have the memory of MP to give you the energy to keep going.
If You Have the Ticket, You Can Go In and Out of Machu Picchu as The whole Machu Picchu Is One Way (You Cannot Go Backwards)
I arrived safely back in Cusco, and didn’t stay in Loki on my return as I wanted a quiet hotel so I could sleep. I chose a very nice hostel 5 mins from Loki it was perfect.
If you need any help or advice please contact me I will be happy to help.
Getting to MP isn’t easy but it is worth it!!!
