By Eija Rissanen
Machu Picchu is located high up on the Andean mountains in Peru. To access the sacred Inca ruins, most people journey from Cusco to Aguas Calientes. There is no road to Aguas Calientes and, therefore, few options to reach the magnificent Machu Picchu. Whether you decide to travel independently or with a tour company, getting to this Lost City is an adventure---but a quite simple one to accomplish as long as you have the right information.
Getting to Aguas Calientes
The fastest way to get to Aguas Calientes, a small town nearest to the ruins, is by train. Direct trains depart from Poroy, a small village about 15 minutes by taxi from Cusco, only once a day; one-way tickets start at $48, as of 2009. Travel time is about three hours, and you must arrive at the station 30 minutes before departure time. Peak months are from May to September, and direct trains are often fully booked several months in advance.
If the direct trains to Aguas Calientes are fully booked, don't panic. You can take a bus or taxi from Cusco to Ollantaytambo---about 44 miles from Cusco---and then a train to Aguas Calientes. Taxis from Cusco to Ollantaytambo take about 1 hour, 45 minutes and cost about $25. A local bus from Cusco to Urubamba and then to Ollantaytambo takes about 2 hours, 30 minutes and costs about $2 per person. Numerous trains per day run from the Sacred Valley train station in Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. The travel time is about 1 hour, 30 minutes, and one-way ticket costs from $31 to $60, as of 2009, depending on your choice of premium, regular or economy class. You have to arrive to the station 30 minutes before departure time.
Getting to Machu Picchu
The only way to continue from Aguas Calientes is by bus. The striking bus ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu winds narrowly up the mountainside and is not for the fainthearted. You get a glimpse of the sacred mountain Putucusi and lush cloud forest during the 20-minute ride, which costs $6. The first bus leaves at 5:30 a.m. You must purchase your ticket before boarding. The last bus from Machu Picchu back to Aguas Calientes departs about 5:30 p.m., so be sure not to miss it.
Entering Machu Picchu
To enter, you must have pre-purchased tickets to Machu Picchu from the Machu Picchu Cultural Center in Aguas Calientes. The entrance fee is 122 Peruvian Soles, or about $40, and you must have exact change. Tickets can also be bought from the Instituto Nacional de Cultura in Cusco. These tickets are valid three days after the purchase, can be used only once and are valid only on the day you enter Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The busiest time is between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., and the busiest day is Monday.
Trekking to Machu Picchu
Instead of taking a train, you can hike the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The hike takes four days as you walk 29 miles through mountains, jungle clouds and Inca ruins before you arrive at Machu Picchu just in time for the sunrise on the morning of the fourth day. Guides lead hiking tours, and nights are spent camping. Trekking tours start at $400 and include all necessary tickets and a guided tour at Machu Picchu.
The number of people on the trail is strictly limited, so make your reservations several months in advance. Independent hiking is not allowed, so you have to go with an organized group operated by a licensed trekking company.
Guided Tours from Cusco
The easiest way to see Machu Picchu is to take a one-day tour from Cusco to Machu Picchu. Many local tour companies exist, but make sure your guide speaks good English, the size of the tour group is no bigger than 16 people, and everything you need is included in the price.
Resources
About the Author:
Eija Rissanen is a freelance journalist living in Hawaii. She has a journalism and environmental studies degree from Hawaii Pacific University. Her articles have been published in Kalamalama, the student newspaper of Hawaii Pacific University, and some other environmental and travel publications and Web sites in Europe and the United States.
