How to get to Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is a dream of many, some work hard to save the money to travel to Peru and experience all that ancient Inca site has to offer. You may have booked your flight and now are wondering how to get to Machu Picchu and this a great question. You will need to start you journey to Machu Picchu for the imperial Inca City of Cusco.

Getting to Cusco, you will need to take a flight from the capital, Lima that will take around an hour. Once you arrive into Cusco, your Machu Picchu adventure can truly begin. There are several ways to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco all guaranteed to add to your experience.

The first is to take a luxury train to Machu Picchu; the best of the best train is the Hiram Bingham train that leaves daily from Cusco Station. The nearly four hour journey will take you through the Sacred Valley of the Inca in style, where you will eat a wonderful lunch and enjoy fine wines and cocktails before arriving into Aguas Calientes station relaxed and ready to explore.

Alternatively, if the budget will not stretch to the Hiram Bingham, then take the Vistadome train that is the next best. The Vistadome will give you some of the best views on your way to Machu Picchu with glass panels in the ceiling; the views of the passing mountains are amazing. The train features leather seats and it a great way to travel to Machu Picchu.

For the more budget conscience there is the Expedition train, a tourist class train will be the train for you. Comfortable seats and good service feature on the Expedition train a great choice to get from Cusco to the Inca ruin.

Alternatives on how to get to Machu Picchu are to take one of the many treks that are available. Trekking to Machu Picchu is one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever encounter. The treks are hard work walking up to high passes and back down again the feeling of achievement at the end of the trek is something all trekkers’ experience. At the end of your trek, you will have a wonderful guided tour of the ruins of Machu Picchu.

Some of the treks available to reach the Inca citadel are the famous Inca Trail, a four-day hike that follows the path of the Inca to reach Machu Picchu. This is the most popular of all the hikes and tickets sell out in advance so you will need to reserve your spot. The other options are the seven-day Salkantay trek, which is another spectacular hike passing some beautiful Andean scenery and ruins before joining the same path to Machu Picchu.

If you want to hike and do not like the idea of camping for three nights than try the two day Inca Trail. Walk from the train line up the Machu Picchu and stay overnight in a hotel. The next day visit the ruin and enjoy a wonderful private tour.

Another option for those of you on a budget is to take a car from Cusco to San Teresa; this takes you through some scary roads. Although this is an inexpensive alternative, it is not recommended as there have been accidents and people have been hurt and missed their Machu Picchu experience to save a few dollars.

You should really have all your Machu Picchu tickets before you leave Cusco. You can buy your entrance and bus tickets to the ruin on the internet. If you arrive at Machu Picchu without a ticket, you will not be able to enter. Most people buy their ticket as part of a package from a travel agent. This will include a transfer from Cusco, return train ticket, bus ticket to Machu Picchu and back, guide and sometimes lunch at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge. Sure, you will pay a little more but everything will be organized for you.

A vacation in Peru Machu Picchu is something that will live in your memory so take advantage of all the Inca ruin has to offer. Most people go for a day trip to Machu Picchu but if you have the time take a few days and revisit. Two days is the perfect time to explore and revisit some of the places that you may have missed. Another thing to consider is that if you go for two days you can go to Machu Picchu before all the day-trippers and experience Machu Picchu without the crowds.

It is a great idea to do some research about Machu Picchu before your visit. To have some insight into the history of the Inca and their architecture will give you a good head start and help you understand what your visiting and seeing. Machu Picchu has something for everyone so come alone or bring the family.

Peru has many wonders waiting for you to be discovered. Here in Cusco Peru Travel, our speciality is to make your trip an outstanding experience, fill-in this form and let your tailor-made luxury Peru vacation begin.