ALL ABOUT MACHUPICCHU
Machupicchu is worldwide known as one of the best destinations around the world. This ancient Inca citadel is located 75km from Cusco city.
Machu Picchu is an iconic Incan citadel located in the Peruvian Andes Mountains. It is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in South America and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 15th century, the fortress was abandoned shortly after the Spanish Conquest, and its ruins were only discovered in 1911. Today, Machu Picchu is a popular tourist attraction, drawing thousands of people each year to admire its grandeur and mystery.
There are three popular routes to go there:
- By car: 7 hours drive from Cusco city going around the mountains until Hydroelectric train station. From this point you can either hike 2 hours more or take the 20 minutes train ride.
- By train: You can either take the train from Poroy or Ollantaytambo town. Poroy is 30 minutes car ride from Cusco. Ollantaytambo is 1h 40 minutes ride. Train ride from Poroy takes around 3 hours. Train ride from Ollantaytambo takes 1h 40 minutes.
- By hiking: You can reach Machupicchu by joining any of the exciting hiking routes around the area. By Salkantay trekking or by Inca Trail trekking. These hiking routes last around 5 days. For more adventurous people there’s an option hiking program of 11 days by Choquequirao trek.
The safest way to go to Machupicchu is by train. The cheapest way to go to Machupicchu is by car. The quickest way to go to Machupicchu is by car.
You can add any of the adventure sports we offer to your Machupicchu package. The best way to save some time is do any of our adventure half-full day packages before you go to Machupicchu. This means for example going paragliding the first day in the morning and by the afternoon take the train towards Aguas Calientes town. You overnightstay in there and visit Machupicchu site the following day.
Our adventure spots are between Cusco and Ollantaytambo. So, the best way to reach the train station of Ollantaytambo is after doing paragliding, biking, kayaking, etc.
Here below you can check our Machupicchu packages. Join the one that best suits you:
MACHUPICCHU Full day
You can visit Machupicchu is just one day. You go early in the morning. You can depart either from Cusco or Sacred Valley. You take the train from Ollantaytambo round trip. Please check the itinerary here. In order to get a tailor made itinerary, please do not hesitate to contact us.
MACHUPICCHU 2 Days
This package is recommended for the ones who would like to join an adventure experience on the way to Machupicchu. This morning you can go paragliding, kayaking, ziplining, biking, etc. After lunch you take the train from Ollantaytambo train station and you will stay overnight in Aguas Calientes town. The following day you visit Machupicchu and by the afternoon you return to Cusco by train & car. Check this standard itinerary here.
MACHUPICCHU MOUNTAIN
The archaeological site of Machupicchu lay down in a mountain called Machupicchu. Actually the site was name after the mountain. The original name was lost. Together with your visit to Machupicchu you can climb the Machupicchu mountain. The summit is located at 3080 masl. This hiking can take 3 hours roundtrip. There is only one group available each day. We advise to stay in Aguas Calientes the night before in order to visit this mountain.
WAYNAPICCHU MOUNTAIN
Waynapicchu or Huaynapicchu Mountain is the most popular visited mountain in Peru. Waynapicchu mountain is the one that appears in most of the «Machupicchu photos» on its background. Hiking the mountain can be scary at the final section due to its steep stairs. This hike can take up to 3 hours both ways. There are only 2 groups to enter to this mountain. Make sure you buy/book your entrance fee at least a couple of months in advance.
ABOUT THE TRAIN TO MACHUPICCHU
There are two companies that offer train transportation to Machupicchu. Inca Rail & Perurail. Both of them have pretty similar services. Perurail offers the famoust and most expensive Hiram Bingham train.
These are the services/train they have:
EXPEDITION: This is the basic/standard service of PERURAIL. No snacks or food included.
VISTADOME: This service includes snacks on board and some water or tea. There might be as well a textiles show during the trip. You can buy those if you like. Windows are quite bigger than expedition trains.
HIRAM BINGHAM: Before boarding there’s a live show with dancing people and a welcome drink. Gourmet lunch and dinner are also offered with options if there are allergies or food restrictions. Live music during the trip in the Observation Car* on the outbound trip and in the Bar Car on the return trip. Private waiting area at the train station in Ollantaytambo.
This train ticket allows you to catch the bus and enter to Machupicchu as well.
THE PRIVATE: This service includes: observatory lounge bar, private bus to the citadel of Machupicchu, live music, gourmet menu & welcome champagne. The train also has large windows, VIP waiting room at the train station, open bar, etc.
FIRST CLASS: This service includes, observatory lounge, bus to the citadel, background music and gourmet menu with andean ingredients.
THE 360º: This service is pretty the same as perurail vistadome service.
THE VOYAGER: This service is pretty the same as perurail expedition service.
ABOUT MACHUPICCHU ENTRANCE TICKET
There are several types of Machupicchu entrance tickets. We consider the best circuit in Machupicchu is the #2. It allows you to cover most of the area in the archaeological site. These circuits are one way direction.
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- Plataforma interior
- Plataforma superior
- Foso Seco
- Mirador Templo del Sol
- Caos Granítico
- Conjunto espejos de agua
- Plaza del Pisonay
- Reserva Arqueológica
Duration: 2 hours approx.
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- Plataforma interior
- Plataforma superior
- Foso Seco
- Mirador Templo del Sol
- Caos Granítico
- Plaza de los Templos
- Pirámide del Intihuatana
- Roca Sagrada
- Doce Vanos
- Qolqas Orientales
- Conjunto Espejos de Agua
- Templo del Cóndor
- Plaza del Pisonay
- Reserva Arqueológica
Duration: 3 hours approx.
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- Qolqas
- Zona Agricola
- Canal de agua
- Foso Seco
- Conjunto Templo del Sol
- Conjunto Casa del Inca
- Fuentes de Agua
- Conjunto Espejos de Agua
- Plaza del Pisonay
- Reserva Arqueológica
Duration: 1h 30 min approx.
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- Qolqas
- Zona Agrícola
- Canal de Agua
- Foso Seco
- Conjunto Templo del Sol
- Conjunto Casa del Inca
- Fuentes de Agua
- Roca Sagrada
- Doce Vanos
- Qolqas Orientales
- Conjunto Espejos de Agua
- Templo del Cóndor
- Plaza del Pisonay
- Reserva Arqueológica
Duration: 2h 30 min approx.
This is managed directly by the Ministry of Culture. It is mandatory to show your passport at the entrance gate in Machupicchu. The refund policy can be found here.
WHAT IS FORBIDDEN?
The main forbidden things are as they follow:
- Bring backpacks, bags 40x35x20 cm (16x14x8 inches)
- Enter with food
- Bring drugs or being under the influence of any substance.
- Enter with umbrellas, walking sticks, tripods, etc.
- Bring animals, except guide dogs
- It is forbidden to make noise.
- Enter with knifes, baby strollers, etc.
WHAT ARE THE RULES DURING YOUR VISIT?
- Bring your passport
- Bring your printed entrance ticket
- Follow the set routes
- Visit the archaeological site with a tour guide
- Do not throw garbage
- Visit the place with enough time to catch your train back
- Being in good physical state
ABOUT SALKANTAY TREKKING TO MACHUPICCHU
The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is an incredible, off–the–beaten–path trek through the Peruvian Andes. From the majestic Salkantay Mountain to the lush, tropical cloud forests, you‘ll experience a variety of stunning landscapes as you make your way towards the ancient Incan citadel of Machu Picchu.
Along the way, you‘ll pass through remote villages and have the chance to interact with locals to gain insights into their culture and traditions. With experienced guides, excellent camping facilities and plenty of opportunities for adventure, the Salkantay Trek is definitely an unforgettable experience.
Hiking to Machupicchu by the amazing Inca Trail can be the best adventure experience ever if you love being in the mountains. Four days going along an ancient inca path gets you immersed in the history of the Incas.
You can see the itinerary here.
Day 1 CUSCO-MOLLEPATA-CHALLACANCHA-SORAYPAMPA
Today we start at 04:00 and we drive towards Challacancha, which is going to be the starting point of our hiking. By 9:30 we will go to Soraypampa, our camping site. By the afternoon, after lunch we will do a quick visit to Humantay Lake which is 1 hour away from the camping site. Overnight stay in Soraypampa.
Day 2 ABRA SALKANTAY-HUAYRACMACHAY-CHAULLAY
Early breakfast before starting our hiking challenging adventure. Today we go up to abra Salkantay (4630 m.a.s.l. / 15200 feet). We require good shape to this because the high mountains are very demanding. After reaching the highest point, we will go down in order to have lunch in Huayracmachay. By the afternoon we will still walk to get to our camping site: Chaullay (2870 m.a.s.l./9400 feet).
DAY 3 PLAYA SANTA TERESA-HIDROELÉCTRICA-AGUAS CALIENTES
Today we start early to hike along the Santa Teresa Valley. After 5 hours we will reach «La Playa» for our lunch. After this we will visit a local coffee farm. By the afternoon, from Hidroeléctric train station we can either take the train or continue hiking towards Aguas Calientes town.
DAY 4 MACHUPICCHU
Today we will have an early visit to Machupicchu archaeological site. We take the bus up to the citadel. We will have a guided tour around the archaeological site. By the afternoon we take the train to Ollantaytambo and the transportation to Cusco.
ABOUT INKA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the world‘s most iconic hiking trails, offering spectacular views of the Andes Mountains, lush cloud forests, and amazing archeological sites. Hikers of all levels are sure to be mesmerized by the stunning beauty of the landscape, as well as the incredible history that can be found along the way. While the trail is demanding, with steep ascents and descents, it is well worth the effort as it culminates in the awe–inspiring ruins of the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu. Trekkers will enjoy the challenge of the demanding but rewarding path, as well as the opportunity to witness the incredible beauty of the Peruvian highlands.
We start around 6:00 and the morning. We take our transportation and go to the train station. By train we will reach km82 stop wich is the starting point of our trekking. After 2 hours we will get Miskay. Stop for lunch. By the afternoon we hike towards Huayllabamba. Along the way we will be able to see the archaeological site of Patallaqta. Overnight stay in the camping site of Huayllabamba.
DAY 2 HUAYLLABAMBA – PACAYMAYO
Today we hike 7 hours approximately. We start early in the morning towards the abra of Warmiwañuska (4200 m.a.s.l.) for nearly 5 hours. Then 2 hours more to Pacaymayo, which is going to be our camping site.
DAY 3 PACAYMAYO – WIÑAYHUAYNA
Today we depart towards our final camping site of Wiñayhuayna. Along the way we will be able to see the archaeological site of Sayaqmarca, where we can have our lunch. Overnight stay in Wiñayhuayna.
DAY 4 MACHUPICCHU
Today we visit the magnificent archaeological site of Machupicchu. We start hiking early in the morning to be able to see Machupicchu without many tourists. After a guided tour around the site, we take the bus down towards Aguas Calientes town. By the afternoon we take the train to Ollantaytambo. Back to Cusco by another transportation.