Machu Picchu Inca Ruins Ways to Get There

How To Travel To Machu Picchu and Ways to Get There?. Just by reading it you already appear to have images in your head of ancient Inca constructions on a mountain in the Peruvian Andes along with breathtaking landscapes, history, tradition, love of gastronomy and mysterious places. After all, it is the icon of Peru and one of the most famous places in all of South America. Who wouldn’t want to visit one of the new Seven Wonders of the World? It is also a UNESCO cultural heritage recognized site.

Our Tour Leaders

As Tour Guides in Tour Leaders Peru Adventure fan page, we give you an unforgettable adventure and the best options to visit Machu Picchu hike. Here are some very important and relevant tips you cannot miss and very good information about the Machupicchu Inca trail and How To Travel To Machu Picchu. The rules of the Peruvian Government to visit Machu Picchu have changed as of May 2017. We explain what can affect you here in the new rules in Machupicchu 2017

First Things First. Before to travel to Machu Picchu.

Cusco

Before you begin to describe each of these alternatives options, the first thing you should know is that all the options that are on our list for the visit to Machupicchu begin in the city of Cusco. Your first stop should be the navel of the world Cusco city, the Inca capital. It is from Cusco that all roads to Machupicchu begin, there is no other alternative.

Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu Pueblo:

Most of the roads we are going to name end up in Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo. This town is located at the bottom of Machu Picchu where the sanctuary is located. From Aguas Calientes, you can climb to the Citadel by bus or walk.

Peru Rail and Inka Rail Train Service to Machu Picchu: This is the option most used by travelers.

Your big advantage is that you save time and is convenient especially if you have young children. It is also the fastest alternative way of getting to Machupicchu. The train ride from Cusco to Aguas Calientes is approx. 4 hours. Its starting point is Poroy station, just 25 minutes from Cuzco’s Main Plaza. You can take a cab that drops you off right at the station. The train’s final stop is at Aguas Calientes. From here you can go up to Machupicchu as is stated in the previous paragraph.

Ollantaytambo Train Station To Machu Picchu

You also have another location option to board the train. The other train station is in the town of Ollantaytambo which is 1 1/2 hour away from Cusco by car. Many travelers prefer to visit Ollantaytambo before going to Machu Picchu treks because of its famous landmarks in the Inca civilization. If this is your wish then it is more convenient to get on the train in that town. It is advisable to visit the Sacred Valley of the Inkas and Machupicchu in two days so that you can experience more in-depth the remnants left by the Incas.

The train has three levels of service: Expedition, Vistadome, and Hiram Bingham or in simpler terms Economic, Executive, and First class. The Expedition service is the most economical and is highly recommended in this article called How To Travel To Machu Picchu. It is a standard yet good service. You don’t really need any more than this. The price is around $90.00 round trip. Vistadome is a little more expensive and is the executive service offered. It has virtually no difference besides its panoramic windows and included snack service.

The price of this train round trip is approx. $116.00. As for Hiram Bingham, the first-class luxurious wagon is a bit pricier, but also offers live native dancing shows, hot/cold beverages, panoramic windows, and personalized service. The price for the Hiram Bingham train one way is about $385.00. People such as Bill Gates, Bono, Owen Wilson, Shakira, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jim Carey, Susan Sarandon, Lucy Liu, Foster the People and etc. have traveled this train service.

So if you go by train, I recommend the Expedition or Vistadome service. Tickets can be purchased on the company’s website, Peru Rail. There is also the option of the Inca Rail company. Their prices are a little lower, but the schedules are not usually flexible. In our trips to Machu Picchu with Tour leaders, Peru Adventure we almost never use Inca Rail and end up traveling by Peru Rail. Feel free to check out their page.

Inca Trail or Kilometer 82.

The second most popular option to arrive at Machu Picchu like back in Inca times through the same roads that the Incas or Chaskis (Inka runners) just used. The Inca roads back in Inca times were like a giant spider web and in the center was the capital city of Cusco. Every road in some way or fashion connected itself to the capital. This is how the whole Inca Empire was composed. Through this empire, there were valleys, rivers, mountains, deserts and etc.

Currently one is not able to travel the Inca trail unless done so with a travel agency. Only travel agencies with special permits by the Peruvian Government are able to operate the Inca Trail. The Inka trail begins at km 82, see more near Ollantaytambo. So what we call the Inca Trail is only a part of those ancient routes. This classic tour lasts 4 days and 3 nights. An option of 5 days and 4 nights is also available.

The great advantage of the Inca trail is that you will access Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. The original entrance to the Citadel was used by the Incas. This is the only trail that goes through this entrance. All the other trails access through Aguas Calientes town. In case you want to book this trek, you must do it several months in advance, about 6 months. Demand is high and only 500 people are allowed each day and including the porters, chefs, guides, etc. The price is also the most expensive of all options starting at $600.00 and up.

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