The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu is located in the province of Urubamba, Cusco Region. It comprises an extensive cultural and natural landscape located in diverse ecosystems, in which there are also other archaeological sites connected by roads leading to the Inca city. Machu Picchu is the most outstanding Inca archaeological site due to its creative urban design, the beauty of its architecture and the fine stonework of its constructions. In its planning, the topography of the mountain top was used to great advantage, transforming it into an imposing llaqta.
It was built in the 15th century by the Inca Pachacuteq, abandoned in the early years of the Spanish colony and rediscovered in 1911. The architecture of this Inca city, embodied in its 200 enclosures, blends exceptionally well with the wonderful natural environment to which it is closely linked.
Do you know how to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco, did you know that there are several alternative routes that promise an extraordinary adventure?
To get to Machu Picchu there are alternative routes that you can enjoy to the fullest there are 5 routes to reach the wonder of the world for lovers of trekking, adventure and for those who prefer to go by train each with unique experiences that you can enjoy.
| Routes | Hiking time | Kilometers to walk |
| Hydroelectric | 4 hours approx | 13 km approx |
| By train | 3 hours | - |
| Inca Trail | 4 days | 45 km approx |
| Salkantay | 4 days | 60 km approx |
| Lares | 4 days | 30 km approx |
The route starts in the city of Cusco where most of the tourists who visit Cusco stay, from the center of the city take a cab or public transport bus to Antonio Lorena Avenue.
At the bus stop on Antonio Lorena Avenue, buses of the company 'Ampay' depart for the city of Quillabamba. However, visitors must stop in the town of Santa Maria, in the jungle region of Cusco.
The route from Cusco to Santa Maria takes almost 5 hours (181 kilometers by road). It crosses the landscapes of the Sacred Valley of the Incas such as the town of Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and the Malaga pass until entering the jungle of Cusco where you can observe beautiful landscapes such as the fauna and flora.
Collective cabs leave from the town of Santa Maria. These are located a few steps from the main square of this small town. Take advantage of your short stay in Santa Maria to get cheap fruit or lunch.
The next destination is the town of Santa Teresa, located 23 kilometers from Santa Maria. The trip by collective cab takes about 1 hour.
Along the route you will appreciate the majestic Vilcanota River, considered sacred by the Incas. Some tours such as the famous 'Inca Jungle to Machu Picchu' make this stretch on foot.
Cocalmayo Hot Springs - Santa Teresa
The town of Santa Teresa is famous for the thermal baths of Cocalmayo. For many, they are the best thermal baths in all of Cusco. It has up to 3 pools of hot water as well as shower services, bathrooms, sale of drinks, snacks and even lodging.
In the town of Santa Teresa you should take the opportunity to have lunch. Some tourists decide to spend the night in a tourist lodge. This way they can enjoy the thermal baths and continue the route the next day.
Near the Santa Teresa market there are collective cabs that will take you to the next point of the route: the Hidroelectrica station.
From Santa Teresa to the Hidroeléctrica station it is almost 11 kilometers and takes 40 minutes by car. On the way you will see some tourists who make the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu.
The Hidroeléctrica station owes its name to the fact that there is a power plant that supplies a large part of Cusco. From this place a few trains depart to the town of Aguas Calientes located only 10 kilometers away (30 minutes by train).
There are two train services that leave every day from the Hydroelectric station: at 2.20 pm. and at 4.40 pm. The cost is approximately US$10. However, due to the short distance, most tourists prefer to walk and enjoy nature.
The hike is a pleasant adventure. The stretch is surrounded by beautiful scenery and abundant vegetation. It is only necessary to follow the train rails in a straight line with the Vilcanota River on one side. The hike takes 2 hours on average.
About 2 kilometers before reaching Aguas Calientes you must take a detour. This avoids crossing two dangerous tunnels through which the train passes. The rest of the way is by the Hiram Bingham road.
Once in the town of Aguas Calientes it will probably already be getting dark. Therefore, it is best to spend the night in a tourist lodge. This small town is famous for its thermal baths. It also has a variety of hotels, restaurants and tourist bars.
Machu Picchu is only 10 kilometers from the town of Aguas Calientes. Because of this proximity the town is also called 'Machupicchu pueblo'.
Buses to Machu Picchu Picchu leave from Hermanos Ayar Avenue. The bus ticket costs 12 dollars on average (one way or return). The trip takes 30 minutes.
A few tourists decide to walk the 10 kilometers from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. Despite the short distance, this route is exhausting as the roads are uphill and difficult. The hike takes 2 hours or even more.
To walk up from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu it is recommended to leave very early in the morning. This way you will arrive punctually to the Inca city to visit it without setbacks.
A good economic option is to go up by bus and return to Aguas Calientes on foot. The way back is downhill and easy to walk. It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
After a morning walk in Machu Picchu, according to the itinerary you are driving, you have to go down to Aguas Calientes for lunch and leave walking or by train if you feel exhausted, to Hidroeléctrica. The last train leaves at 1:30 pm and arrives at 2:15 pm. And surely the van will be there to take you back to Cusco. The trip takes 07 hours to get to Cusco.
This is the most popular option used by travelers to get to Machu Picchu, because it has a huge advantage: you save a lot of time, since it is the fastest way to get there. At the beginning of the trip, first there are the incredible landscapes of the Andean highlands, with snow-capped peaks to delight the eye, and later on, valleys, jungle and the phenomenal Urubamba River will appear. All this landscape of nature, local culture and more, you will be able to appreciate it from the comfort of exclusive trains with wide panoramic windows. Traveling by train to Machu Picchu is the main way to get there and is the most recommended option.
Currently, there are two train companies providing service to Machu Picchu, with daily departures from the different stations along the way.
There are 04 stations from where you can embark for your train trip to Machu Picchu:
The Inca Trail or Capaq Ñan to Machu Picchu is one of the most classic and requested routes in the world. The Capaq Ñan was built by the great Inca emperor Pachacutec, at that time governor of the Inca empire. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is the system of enormous length that links the Imperial City of Cusco with Machu Picchu.
The Inca Trail was revealed to the world in 1915 while excavating in the Inca City. Three decades later, the route was traced by the Viking expedition in 1942. Today, thousands of visitors choose to walk the 43 kilometers to the 'Gate of the Sun' in Machu Picchu.
IMPORTANT
Hikers can only enter through an agency authorized to operate this route and accompanied by guides authorized by the authority.
There are 3 versions depending on the time available:
| Routes | Duration | Difficulty |
| Inca Trail to Machu Picchu | 2 days 1 night | Moderate |
| Inca Trail to Machu Picchu | 3 days 2 night | Moderate |
| Inca Trail to Machu Picchu | 4 days 3 night | Moderate |
However, Machu Picchu is not the only archaeological site you will see on the Inca Trail. On the tour you will also appreciate the ruins of:
The Inca Trail shows rugged geography with ascents and descents next to precipices. The mountains reach great heights with rugged stretches. In the jungle areas you will see the variety of shades of green of the tropical forests.
INCA TRAIL ALTITUDES
| Qorihuayrachina | 2658 m.s.n.m. |
| Patallaqta | 2595 m.s.n.m. |
| Llaqtapata | 2738 m.s.n.m. |
| Wayllabamba | 2922 m.s.n.m. |
| Runkuraqay | 3848 m.s.n.m. |
| Phuyupatamarca | 3506 m.s.n.m. |
| Wiñayhuayna | 2419 m.s.n.m. |
| Intipata | 2863 m.s.n.m. |
| Intipunku | 2691 m.s.n.m. |
After visiting Machu Picchu, the visitor returns to Cusco by train and bus. The duration of the trip is approximately 3 hours. These services are included in the Inca Trail tours.
BEST TIME TO GO TO THE INCA TRAIL
The best time to do the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is during the high season (May to December). Because of the total absence of rain it is known as the dry season or harvest season throughout the Peruvian highlands.
The Salkantay route is an alternative route to the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. It is a trek of 5 days and 4 nights to the Inca Citadel through the town of Aguas Calientes, located at the foot of the Wonder of the World. On the route you will cross even more impressive landscapes than the Inca Trail. Places like the snow-capped Salcantay, whose summit is at 6,721 m.a.s.l. and whose slopes the tourist crosses at 4,572 m.a.s.l. We also visit places like the beautiful Mollepata Valley, the ruins of Llactapata and tropical territories where flora and fauna abound.
The last stretch is parallel to the Vilcanota River, until you reach Aguas Calientes. From there, we ascend on foot or by bus to the entrance to the Inca City.
The Salkantay route was chosen by National Geographic magazine as one of the 25 best trekking routes in the world. To access this adventure you can hire a tour operator. The other option is to do it on your own. This requires experience and the necessary care.
The Lares trek (known as the Lares trek) is a high altitude trek in Cusco, Peru, which begins near the village of Lares, approximately 64 kilometers north of Cusco and 56 kilometers east of Machu Picchu, and takes two to three days. The Lares Valley lies to the east of the Urubamba mountain range and runs through part of the Sacred Valley. To reach the starting point of the trek requires a journey of approximately 5 hours by bus or van from the town of Lares. The Lares trek route traverses the typical Andean mountainous areas of Peru.
The Lares valley is home to many weavers and farmers famous for their handmade textiles. The natives of this region speak Quechua and Spanish and are always willing to give you an opportunity to weave something with your own hands.
The Lares trek is one of the main alternative treks to Machu Picchu. It is slightly shorter but higher than the Inca Trail, and can be accessed from Cusco. Unlike the Inca Trail, no permits are required to hike the Lares trek.
| Difficulty | similar to the Inca Trail |
| Total distance | 37 kilometers |
| Available routes | Yanahuara route and Patacancha route |
| Camping on day 1 | Wacahuasi |
| Camping on day 2 | Punta Toro |
| Camping on day 3 | Aguas Calientes |
| Highest stretch | Abra C'asa Pasa (4,500 m.a.s.l.). |
| Lowest elevation | Aguas Calientes (2,160 m.a.s.l.). |
| Maximum temperature | Machu Picchu (24ºC. on average). |
| Minimum temperature | Abra C'asa Pasa (0ºC. on average). |
| Tourist attractions | Lares hot springs, Aguas Calientes, Machupicchu. |
| Geography | Mountainous and tropical. |
| Difficulty of trek | Moderate |
¿WHY TRAVEL WITH ANDINO PERU TOURS?
We are a Peruvian Agency with Cusco roots, committed to providing you with unique tourism experiences. With our own transportation and a team of dedicated professionals, we aim to show you the best of Peru.
Striving to provide freedom in your travels, through specialized and quality service that ensures a worry-free experience. We take care of every aspect of your journey organization so you can fully enjoy.
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