When you have never been to Machu Picchu, or even Peru for that matter, it can be extremely confusing at how to go and see Machu Picchu - I hope to clear some of that up, and help you pick the best option to enjoy this Wonder of the World, while actually enjoying the journey!
Let's start with the basics... Machu Picchu is the incredibly wellkept remains of an Inca city thought to be the place where their royal and religious leaders stayed. What adds to the amazement of this ancient city, is that it is 2,430 metres (7,970 ft) above the sea level and was built without using any machinery or even wheels to move the more than 3,000 stones that makeup the many terraces and buildings!
Here's a great video that explain even more about this marvel --> Machu Picchu Video
But how does one get to see and experience Machu Picchu??? There are several ways to get here, but I have decided to list them in order of difficultness (in my opinion!)
Least Difficult Way to See Machu Picchu:
Step1) Fly to Cusco (most flights leave from Lima, and take about 1 hr 20 min)
Step 2) Take a train from Poroy Station (around 20 min taxi ride from Cusco) to Aguas Calientes (often referred to as Machu Picchu city, and is basically the basecamp for people going into the Machu Picchu historical site, which is where you ultimately want to get to!)
Michaychay Tip: we took the cheapest option on Peru Rail, and it was incredible, spacious and a beautiful view! I would highly recommend it!
Step 3) Take the bus up to the entrance of Machu Picchu site
- you can buy the bus ticket at a booth located next to the bus station in Aguas Calientes, for $24.00 US return - click here for more information about the shuttle buses
Michaychay Tip: if you experience motion sickness take some ginger gravel before taking this bus ride - it is super windy and driven quite quickly and jerkily!
Step 4) Enter the Machu Picchu site
- tickets should be purchased in advanced! Approximately 4-6 months in advance is best!
- you can get your ticket from here
You can book just Machu Picchu city area for $70 US, but if you would like to add some difficulty you can add on the Mountain or Huayan Picchu, for a total of $86 US. (The Mountain hike is the classic Machu Picchu hike, that gives you the best view of the ruins from above and is a higher and more vertical climb than Huyana Picchu, which is a slightly easier and shorter hike and gives you another beautiful angle of the ruins.)
Slightly harder way to see Machu Picchu
Instead of taking the Shuttle Bus from Aguas Calientes, you can walk part of the Inca Trail up the mountain to Machu Picchu site - this takes about an hour and adds many stairs to your trek. Also, the shuttle buses take some of the same route as the hike, so watch out for fast moving buses!
Harder way to see Machu Picchu
You can join a 2 day tour that gets off the train one stop before Aguas Calientes, so you can do one day of the usual 4 day Inca Trail towards Machu Picchu
Hardest (and most talked about) way to see Machu Picchu
There are MANY 4-5 day treks along the Inca Trail that you can take from Cusco to the Machu Picchu site!!!
- the cheapest way to do one of these treks is to book it in Cusco, and barter for a good price. They often start off at $175 US, but you get them down quite a bit to closer to $100 US. BUTTT there is only limited tickets each day for Machu Picchu, so if you choose this option be aware the days you want to go might not be available!
- there are many amazing Canadian and US based companies that you can prearrange your tours with, and guarantee your spot before you fly all the way to Peru - but they are quite a bit more expensive!
Michaychay Tip: Bring protein / granola bars! Even when trips say they include food, there is often not a lot or it's not as high in calories as you might need. Also if you climb the Mountain or Huyana Picchu you might need a snack at the top - I know I did! Also, there is no water or anywhere to buy any snacks (or use a toilet!) once your inside the Machu Picchu area - and everything just outside is 3 to 4 times the price!!! Aditionally, you only get ONE exit and re-entry into the Machu Picchu historical site per ticket - so use it wisely :)
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