Machu Picchu

According to many scholars, its original name was not Machu Picchu but rather Llacta Pata in Quechua. The contemporary name refers to an ancient Incan settlement built before the 15th century. Located in the southern Andes of Peru, in the Vilcabamba mountain range, it stands at 2,430 meters above sea level.

Train to Machu Picchu

PacharLocation: Situated in the Cusco region, Urubamba province, Machu Picchu district, within the Sacred Valley of the Incas, 80 kilometers northwest of Cusco. It traverses the Urubamba River through the Vilcabamba range with a tropical climate.

Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is regarded as a masterpiece of architecture and engineering. Its unique architecture, landscape, and surrounding mysteries have made it one of the most visited tourist destinations and one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

How to Get to Machu Picchu
To visit Machu Picchu, consider factors such as weather, rainy season, transportation, and tickets. Booking train tickets in advance is crucial to avoid any inconvenience.

Machu Picchu Famous Photo

How to Buy Train Tickets
For tickets, advance booking is essential. Visit the official websites of Inca Rail or Peru Rail to make online payments.

How to Buy Machu Picchu Tickets
You can purchase tickets online through the Machu Picchu website, or buy them in Cusco at Garcilaso Street, one block from the Plaza de Armas, to visit this Wonder of the World.

Route 01: Cusco-Ollantaytambo-Aguas Calientes
From Cusco, you’ll need to leave early (around 4:30 a.m.) if you plan to do a day tour. Head to Pavitos Street to find minibuses costing around S/ 15.00 (USD 4) to Ollantaytambo, where you’ll catch a train with Peru Rail or Inca Rail. Note the train departure time, as the bus ride from Cusco to Ollantaytambo takes about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Ollantaytambo
In Ollantaytambo, board the train for a scenic ride through the Sacred Valley, taking about 1 hour 45 minutes to reach Aguas Calientes.

Aguas Calientes-Machu Picchu
Take the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, costing USD 24 round trip. Tickets are available next to the bus station in Aguas Calientes and cannot be reserved in advance or purchased online. You must buy the ticket with your passport.

OllantaytamboBy Train

Entry to Machu Picchu
You will need to present a copy of your Machu Picchu ticket along with your valid passport. Without these documents, entry to Machu Picchu will not be possible.

What to Bring

• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Rain poncho
• Comfortable shoes
• Comfortable clothing
• Water

Route 02: Cusco-Ollantaytambo-Hydroelectric-Aguas CalientesFrom Ollantaytambo to Abra Malaga
From Cusco, leave at 7:00 a.m. and head to Antonio Lorena Street to reach Aguas Calientes by 5:30 p.m. The journey involves taking a transport to Santa Maria, which takes about 5 hours and costs S/ 30. The route passes through Cachimayo, Chinchero, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Abra Málaga, Alfa Mayo, Uyro, and finally reaches Santa Maria.

Route to Hydroelectric
From Santa Maria, take transport to Santa Teresa or Hydroelectric for S/ 15.00. This 1 hour 40-minute journey brings you to Hydroelectric, where you can either take a 25-minute train to Aguas Calientes or walk for 2 hours 30 minutes along the flat railway track through lush vegetation.

Abra Malaga - Route to Hydroelectric

Recommendations

• The most convenient option is a 2-day, 1-night stay to allow for an early visit to Machu Picchu.
• High season is from May to September. Tickets for Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu should be booked 3-4 months in advance, while train tickets should be booked 3-4 weeks ahead.
• Avoid traveling from January to April due to potential landslides from the rainy season.

Walk from Hydroelectric to Aguas Calientes

What to Bring

• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Rain poncho
• Comfortable shoes
• Comfortable clothing
• Water
• Coins in soles

Access to Machu Picchu: The Inca Trail or train from Ollantaytambo to Hydroelectric is the most economical route.