Getting to Machu Picchu

Cusco

Since Cusco is at an elevation of 11,000 ft. (3300 m.), it is recommended that you take it easy and spend a day or two in Cusco to get acclimated to the altitude. Machu Picchu is actually 3000 feet lower in elevation than Cusco so breathing will literally be a breeze once you get there. Cusco is the traditional capitol of the Incan Empire and it has several interesting Incan ruins and other points of interest that you can visit before you begin your journey to Machu Picchu. Interesting side trips in Cusco include the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Plaza de Armas (which includes the Catedral and Iglesia de La Compania), the twelve angle rock, the San Blas neighborhood, or going to one of the great museums in town. Below is a list of recommended hotels for your stay in Cusco. Keep in mind that depending on how you want to organize your trip, you may need to book two separate stays in these hotels, once the night or two before you head to Machu Picchu, and again for a night or two when you return.

View from the "Vistadome" train from Cusco to Machu Picchu

As we mentioned, there are two ways to get to Machu Picchu, one is by train, and the other is by foot. The trek by foot travels the Inca Trail and is a four day hike through the Andes Mountains. If you are adventurous and are in great physical shape, this may be the trip for you. This would need to be booked in advance through a travel agency or through a carrier we recommend in our Travel Network. The other option is to take the train from Cusco to Machu Picchu. The trains are operated by PeruRail and they have 3 different classes of service: The first class Hiram Bingham train, the middle class Vistadome train, and the coach class Backpacker train. All trains leave in the morning and return in the evening. The train ride is 4 hours and follows the Urubamba River through the Sacred Valley, snakes around snow capped Andes Mountains, and emerges in the tropical cloud forest that surrounds Machu Picchu. It is one of the most beautiful train rides in the world. The train makes several stops along the way, but eventually ends at the small town of Aguas Calientes. From there you can take a bus up to the ruins or take a two hour hike that traverses the end of the Inca trail and also leads you to the ruins. The way you choose to get to Machu Picchu is up to you. What we recommend in this guide is to take the train from Cusco to Aguas Calientes and then take the two hour hike up to Machu Picchu. The trail you will be walking on was built hundreds of years ago and was a part of the famous Inca trail system. Our fold out Machu Picchu Self-Guided Tour Map has essential tips on how to make the two hour climb from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.

Other advice for your trip to Machu Picchu

You have an option to do a day trip to Machu Picchu from Cusco (take the train there in the morning, and return to Cusco in the evening), or to spend a night or two in Aguas Calientes and really spend some time at Machu Picchu. Many people opt to take the day trip, but end up regretting it since it only allows for a few hours at the ruins before you need to make the 4 hour trip back to Cusco. Another recommendation we make here is to spend a night in Aguas Calientes. Aguas Calientes is small, yet has a large selection of budget to luxury hotels. Our recommended hotels are listed on our Aguas Calientes page. Machu Picchu is too breathtaking to take in on just a short afternoon. The ruins are enormous and there are several side excursions or paths you will want to explore when you are up at the site and even in and around Aguas Calientes. Visiting Machu Picchu will likely be the highlight of your trip to Peru and it is not worth breezing through in an afternoon.

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