When we start planning a trip to the modern wonder Machu Picchu, we are faced with a big question: How to get to the citadel of Machu Picchu?
In the search for that answer other questions will arise, such as:
There are so many alternatives to get to this wonderful and enigmatic place, that can lead you to great confusion. And if you do not have time to investigate the options one by one, you will probably end up choosing the wrong alternative that can complicate your visit to Machu Picchu. For this reason, in this report we will mention all the alternatives that will help you make the best decision according to your time, budget and travel style.
Before starting to describe each of the alternatives to get to Machu Picchu, the first thing to keep in mind is that all roads begin in the archaeological capital of America, Cusco.
Your first stop must be in the city of Cusco, the capital of the Inca empire.
All the trails we are going to mention end in the town of Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo.
This town is located at the foot of the Machu Picchu mountain where the wonder of the world is located.
From the town of Aguas Calientes you can walk up to the citadel (01:30 hours approximately) you also have the option of taking the bus that has a duration of 30 minutes approx.
This is the alternative most used by travelers, considered as a great alternative because the traveler will save time in his visit to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu and can do it in 1 day,
Its starting point is the Poroy station, 30 minutes from the Plaza de Armas in Cusco. The arrival point will be the train station in Aguas Calientes.
You also have the option of boarding the train at the station in the town of Ollantaytambo which is an hour and a half from the city of Cusco.
Many travelers prefer to visit Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site before going to Machu Picchu. Therefore it is also advisable to board the train in that town.
The second most popular and popular option is the classic Inca Trail, a trekking route to the majestic Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, just as they did in the Inca Empire.
According to history, in ancient times the Inca trails allowed the connection from one place to another without any problem, the Inca Trail was born in the capital of the Inca empire, Cusco. The Inca Trail started in the capital of the Inca empire, Cusco, and ran through the Sacred Valley, until it reached the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
This route is very famous, respected and admired by tourists from all over the world. Because it was part of the Inca road networks that linked the great empire of the Incas.
The classic tour is the one that lasts 4 days and 3 nights. Day 4 is not considered as part of the Inca Trail, since it is the day in which Machu Picchu is visited.
There is another option on the Inca Trail, the second option is to do the Inca Trail which lasts 5 days and 4 nights. The only difference is that doing it in more time helps to reduce the physical demand.
Yes, demand because it is a route that crosses the mountains of the Peruvian Andes, which reaches up to 4,200 meters above sea level, it is certainly an unforgettable experience and really worth it.
It is definitely not for everyone. The only requirement to be able to do it is to be in good physical condition. It is not necessary to prepare all year long.
You should be physically active two or three months before and practicing some sport will be enough.
For this tour, it is recommended to arrive one or two days in advance to the city of Cusco in order to acclimatize and avoid altitude sickness.
The great advantage of the Inca Trail is that you access Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate or also known as Inti Punku, which was the main entrance to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu and that will give you a wonderful first view of this Wonder of the Modern World, Machu Picchu.
For this adventure we recommend you to make your reservation 3 or 4 months in advance because it is in high demand and the number of tickets per day is limited.
This is an alternative route that is used by thousands of visitors who have a tight budget for their trip to Machupicchu.
The great advantage is the cost that the traveler will have since it is one of the most economical.
Per person will be usd 180 to 250 you can make the whole trip Cusco - Aguas Calientes - cusco.
This alternative arose as a result of the high demand that have the direct route that is by train, This way is to go by bus from tourist from Cusco to Santa Maria (8 hours approx). Then from Santa Maria to Santa Teresa by cab (1 hour approx). then 15 minutes more from Santa Teresa to the hydroelectric. To finally walk about 9 km along the train tracks to reach the town of Aguas Calientes, the duration of the walk is between 2:30 min to 3 hrs approx.
The big drawback of this alternative route is the time it takes to do the tour. It takes one day to go, and one day to return.
The other dissatisfaction is the insecurity on the route that the tourist may have, the route is asphalted in few sections, and in many sectors it has an affirmed road. In the route there are many curves, and you will arrive at an altitude of 4400 m.a.s.l. (abra malaga) and you can have a bad time as a result of the dizziness that you can suffer on the way.
This alternative route has become very fashionable due to the fact that the quotas for the Inca Trail are filled quickly.
The Salkantay, although many agencies sell it as the Inca Trail, it is not.
It is an alternate trail, not regulated by the Peruvian government, so it has no quota limit.
It is a 4-day and 3-night trek. Some agencies offer the option of doing it in 5 days and 4 nights.
One of the main advantages of this route is that it reaches a higher altitude than the Inca Trail, up to 4,500 meters above sea level and the snow-capped peaks that can be seen are impressive.
Also, the demands of this trail are a little more demanding than the Inca Trail.
The end of the trail is in Aguas Calientes, and not through the Sun Gate as it is in the Inca Trail.
The Salkantay Trail ends in Santa Teresa, and from there you have to walk along the train tracks until you reach the town of Aguas Calientes, just like the Alternative Trail by car.
This tour has a duration of 2 days and 1 night, and is an alternative that many tourists choose to reach the citadel of Machupicchu, a very important fact that you should know is the following: The train that goes from Poroy station to Aguas Calientes makes a stop in Ollantaytambo and another one at kilometer 82. It is at this kilometer where the Inca Trail of 2 days and 1 night begins. So those who are going to do the trail, get off there.
There are others who are not going to do the trail, but they still get off at this kilometer and from there walk along the train tracks until they reach the town of Aguas Calientes.
Others even do it from Ollantaytambo.
This trail is a very good alternative to reach Machu Picchu. It will undoubtedly be a unique experience where you will live a cultural adventure in the Peruvian Andes in 4 days and 3 nights, walking through Andean landscapes of the highlands and part of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, meeting native communities of colorful clothing typical of the Andes, you will find a variety of flora and fauna typical of the region, ending in the town of Ollantaytambo, from where you board the train to continue to Aguas Calientes.
Choquequirao is a city similar to Machu Picchu that was discovered some years ago.
It is only now beginning to be exploited for tourism.
They are still in a stage of research, excavations, and clearing the undergrowth.
It is a magnificent place that will undoubtedly surprise you. It is very important to know that this trail is not for everyone. It is the most difficult trail of all and in the trekking world it is classified as Difficult Level.
It requires a lot of physical demand since it passes through different altitudinal levels and without a doubt you have to prepare yourself very very well.
The trekking has a minimum duration of 8 days and 7 nights.
After visiting Choquequirao, you will begin the trek to Machu Picchu.
The penultimate day, you will arrive at Santa Teresa, then like Salkantay and Machu Picchu by car, you will have to walk along the train tracks until you reach the town of Aguas Calientes.
This is another alternative quite recent and with a lot of adventure.
The trail starts in Ollantaytambo, and from there it is 4 days of adventures.
You will have downhill biking, rafting, zip-lining, and of course, trekking.
With this option you will also get to Santa Teresa to walk the trails to the town of Aguas Calientes.
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