Making your way to
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu, located amidst the mesmerizing Peruvian Andes, is truly a place of wonder and intrigue. The sacred Inca citadel, built around 1450, still holds many secrets regarding its purpose even today, piquing the curiosity of visitors and archaeologists alike. While it is believed to have been a summer retreat for Inca leaders, it’s true intent remains a mystery. Interestingly, Machu Picchu remained hidden from the world for hundreds of years, only known to the peasants in the vicinity. However, everything changed in the summer of 1911 when Explorer Hiram Bingham and his team stumbled upon it.
Declared a Cultural and Natural Heritage of Humanity in 1983 by UNESCO, Machu Picchu’s splendid architecture, made up of temples, palaces, terraces, and walls, is a testament to the Inca’s brilliance. While it’s a challenging journey to reach the citadel, there are different options to get there.
So, how do you find your way up the mountain to a city that was once hidden in secrecy? There are options to either hike the Inca Trail (a 4 day trek), or you can take a train, to a bus, to the mountain. There is no single straight and easy path, but I’ll let you know how I got there (hint: not hiking) ….
Step 1: Get to Cusco
Cusco, Peru is the former capital of the Inca Empire and is one of the most important places in Peru. The city is an essential starting point for travelers to explore the region, including tours, hikes, and adventures, especially due to its proximity to Machu Picchu. Cusco has its own airport, and you can reach this high-altitude place by flight within one hour and twenty minutes or by bus in twenty-two hours from Lima, the capital of Peru.
Plan enough time for any altitude sickness that may occur. Cusco is 11,155 feet (3,400 m) above sea level, and altitude sickness is a common concern. After arriving, take it easy for the first days in Cusco, drink water, walk stairs slowly, and eat light meals before undertaking any serious exploration.
Step 2: Catch a train to Aguas Calientes
After spending a freezing cold night in Cusco, with no heater in the hotel + no hot water (I found out this is common, so pack something warm to sleep in when you go), I woke up early to take an Uber to Poroy Train Station, which is a thirty-minute drive from the historic city center. The ride to the station through the dark and winding hills made me question if I was being taken to the right place or if something horrible was about to happen, but then suddenly the station appeared.
The train service does not go directly to Machu Picchu but rather to the town of Aguas Calientes, at the foot of the mountaintop ruins. The train service from Poroy to Aguas Calientes takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes. Peru Rail and Inca Trail operate trains for tourists, both offering comfortable rides in modern cars, varying schedules, and service levels to suit first-class and budget preferences. The ride is comfortable and scenic. You can purchase train tickets in advance at perurail.com. *Please note that the train station is open only from May to December and usually closes around January until April due to climatic conditions.*
Step 3: Take a bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
Once you arrive in Aguas Calientes, the last step of the journey to Machu Picchu is to go uphill to the main visitor entrance. The town has limited motor transport, so walking is the only way to get to local restaurants, hotels, and shops. The only ride you can catch up to the main entrance to Machu Picchu is by bus and there are no taxis or independent drivers to offer alternative transport. Bus tickets can be purchased directly at the station in Aguas Calientes.
Buses run daily between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. In total, the ride takes twenty-five to thirty minutes. Passengers line up at the bus station in Aguas Calientes on Avenida Hermanos Ayar between 5:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Buses to Machu Picchu run every ten minutes or as soon as they are full. The same bus fleet ferries passengers back to Aguas Calientes at regular intervals. Two tickets are required for a round trip bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, so make sure to hold onto your tickets while you explore the site.
When you step off the bus at Machu Picchu, you will take a short straight path that lets you out at the exact picture-perfect spot where everyone takes the famous Machu Picchu photo. It is a breathtaking view and a reward for all the effort put into arriving at such a spectacular destination. After getting that perfect photo, you are free to explore around the amazing ruins and watch llamas eat grass in the Andes.
So there you have it! It does take some coordinating, but the trip is something you will never forget, and I hope this blog helps to make things a little easier for your Machu Picchu adventure! If you are planning a trip to Peru, make sure to check out my Peru Travel Guide (below), with all the tips and tricks to get you in, out, and navigate around this beautiful country.
Also, be sure to stay tuned for my latest blog posts where I’ll be sharing all my adventures and more tips on finding beautiful architecture and design around the globe!
