Getting To Machu Picchu

[Luis Zarabia]

Long gone are the days when you could hover over the Andes Mountains to view Machu Picchu from above in a helicopter. All flights have been suspended due to environment concerns - and rightfully so I might add.

So what are your options to get to the lost city of Machu Picchu? Here follows your different options

By Train

The large majority of travelers who visit Machu Picchu each year go by train to avoid a hike that can be a bit challenging to some people. You can take the train from the Peru city of Cusco all the way to the base of the Machu Picchus ruins. The train ride is around 110 kilometers long and it makes for a truly spectacular journey, going through lush valleys, zigzagging through the Rio Urubamba and viewing the snow peaked mountains. It is an amazing journey!

Three trains depart from Cusco daily and the 110 kilometer journey to Machu Picchu takes around 4 hours (depending on which train you take).  There are 3 different trains from you to choose from and the time and price varies on for each train.

On the “backpacker” train - the slowest and least expensive - at the time of writing a ticket was $50 one way. If you prefer to travel first class and cut some time of the ride you can go for the first-class train. A ticket for the first class service is around $70 each way. Lastly there is the pricey albeit very luxurious Hiram Bingham line, named after Machu Picchu's discoverer.  If you are willing to fork out around $310 for the luxurious one way train ride to Machu Picchu, you will receive two meals, some drinks (cocktails if you prefer), and also a guided tour at the ruins.

It is advisable to book your train tickets well in advance. Tickets can be purchased online at Perurail or at one of the many travel agencies.

By Bus

An alternative and cheaper, albeit less spectacular, option is taking the bus from Cusco to Machu Picchu. Buses wend their way up the mountain daily beginning at 6:30 am and make their descent all day long with the last one departing from Machu Picchu at dusk.  The price for a round trip ticket is about $15, you do not need to book in advance; tickets can be purchased directly at the bus terminal.

Alternatively, some people take the bus up to Machu Picchu buying a one way ticket and then walk down to the sacred city of Aguas Calientes. It is about 40-minute walk from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.

On Foot

The world-famous Inca Trail is nearly as spectacular as the Machu Picchu ruins itself and many people see the Inca trial as an attraction itself.

The Machu Picchu trek has two different treks. The one and most famous trek, known as the classic 4 day Inca trail, which as the name suggest takes 4 days to complete. It is a spectacular, 43-kilometer hike, following the Inca trail leading to Machu Picchu.

Alternatively you can do the shorter and less demanding 2 day trek. The two-day trail starts at Ollantaytambo, and you can return to Cusco by train if you wish.

Regardless of which method you choose to reach Machu Picchu, one thing is for certain. It is an amazingly beautiful trip that you will treasure for the rest of your life.