Hola, Que tal ?
In this blog I’ll give you an estimate budget and tips how to optimize and enjoy your trip to Machu Picchu via Aguas Calientes.
Have you ever been to Machu Picchu or dreamt about it? Following the cartoon “Tintin in Peru”, I always wanted to discover the country of the Inca Empire & go on the path of this lost civilization.
Located in the Andes Mountains, the site of Inca ruins is located 50 miles north Cuzco. 1450 is the estimated construction date, the site was abandoned about 100 years after its edification.
Machu Picchu despite years of researches remains a mystery. Will we ever know the all truth about one of the Sevens Wonder of the World ?
Budget
Hotel : From USD 5.
Machu Picchu Entrance : From USD 50 depending on the options.
Train Cusco to Machu Picchu : One way USD 80 to USD 100.
Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu : One way USD 12.
How to get to machu picchu via aguas calientes?
There are few options to reach the Machu Picchu. In this paragraph you will find 2 options. The first option is cost effective and the second one is more time effective. In my case I had only 3 days which needed to be time effective.
1 - Option 1 : cost effective
- 1 - Flight : Take your flight Lima – Cusco.
- 2 - Hotel : Spend a night in Cusco (From USD 5).
- 3 - Van : Take a VAN, NOT a bus between Cusco and Hidroeléctrica around 8:00am.
- 4 - Hike or Train : Walk 2-3 hours between Hidroeléctrica and Aguas Calientes OR take a train for USD 30.
- 5 - Hotel : Spend one night in Aguas Calientes.
- 6 - Hike : From Aguas calientes to Machu Picchu: You can take a bus (USD 12) OR walk 1h30 minutes to the top.
- 7 - Early entrance : To get the best of Machu Picchu and avoid the crowed, Enter the site as early as you can...
- Total : Around USD 150 without counting Hotel & Food
2 - Option 2 : Time effective
- 1 - Flight : Take your flight Lima – Cusco.
- 2 - Hotel : Spend a night in Cusco (From 5 USD).
- 3 - Train : Take the train Cusco-Aguas Caliente (USD 80 to USD 100). (Depends on the departure time. (trip: 4 hours).
- 4 - Bus : Bus from Aguas Caliente to Machu Picchu (USD 12 - 20 minutes).
- 5 - Enter Machu Picchu : You can stay 4 hours on site.
- 6 - Hike : Walk down within 1 hour for FREE or take the Bus (12 USD).
- 7 - Train : Take the train back to Cusco. (USD 80 to USD 100).
- Total : Around USD 300 the day without counting Hotel & Food.
Where to buy tickets ?
If you are under time pressure for your trip plan well the logistics and the purchase of your tickets. For example if you take the early morning train at 5 am, aim to enter the park around 10am. It is important to arrive on time. In this example take the bus rather than hike up. You can then hike back to take the train back to Cusco around 4 or 5pm.
1 - Train tickets from cusco to aguas calientes (machu picchu)
From Cusco to Machu picchu the train will stop to different stations. There are two train companies, Inca Rail & Peru Rail. Depending on your time preference and cost. The train have different cabins options, I chose The 360° train from the company Inca Rail. They serve good snakes and drinks. The all journey is through the mountains and last 4 hours.
2 - machu picchu entrance ticket
3 - bus tickets from aguas calientes to machu picchu
Once you arrive at Aguas Calientes you can buy the bus ticket. Locals will guide you toward the ticket office. You can decide to hike up and down. It is possible to buy a return ticket after your visit.
Note: No ticket reimbursement.
4 - Hike from Aguas calientes to Machu Picchu
The name of the trail is Trilha para Machu Picchu, locals will not inform you about it since they want tourists to take the bus. You can walk from the train station to the entrance of the trail. On google map you can find the entrance of the trail, then you just have to hike up and will arrive right in front of the main entrance door of Machu Picchu. The bus road is in hairpin bends, while the trail is going straight up to the mountain via stairs. The walk isn’t difficult. It take about 1 hour 30 minutes and worth it, beautiful nature. Below you will find a picture of the trail path. You can see the path in green.
5 - Favorite view
Tips for your trip :
1 – Make sure to enjoy your time 🙂
2 – When you buy your Machu Picchu entrance ticket make sure to match the time with the train. Note the earliest train from Cusco is around 5 am. In this case you can enter the site around 10 am. Earlier would be too tight.
3 – Spend the night in Aguas Calientes is recommended since you can enter Machu Picchu early morning. 10 am wad crowded.
4 – Book in advance to have access to the mountains. There’s quotas.
Wanna know more about Cusco ?
The historic capital of the Inca Empire has been built in the Peruvian Andes 3,399 m above sea level. Capital from the 13th to 16th century, Cusco has know its turning point in 1533 when the Spanish invaded the city.
Enjoy,
Xxx
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