Table of Contents
Machu Picchu. One of the top tourism destinations in the world, rivaling some others like Paris or Egypt. Back in the days of the Inca kingdom, 15th century a.D., the Inca emperor, Pachacutec, started the construction of a vacation and religious retreat in the middle of the splendid, sunny, warm Urubamba Valley, entering the border of the Peruvian Amazon.
How they solved getting there? Well, they hiked. Machu Picchu was mostly a place of leisure for the Inca royalty, including the emperor himself, so they went there every year, hiking. The entourage started marching, following a route mainly signaled by mountains and the Vilcanota river. Getting to Machu Picchu was a great adventure and a great trek.
Nowadays, things have changed a lot of course. There are several ways of getting to Machu Picchu. Next we are going to show all the options TOUR IN PERU offers when it comes to arriving at one of the Marvels of the Modern World.
TREKS:
Classic 4-Day Inca Trail
One of the most famous ways in the world of getting to Machu Picchu. Includes hiking across the Andean heights and then down to the frontier of the Cusco jungle, 3 nights of camping. Some of the highlights of the route are the mighty Warmiwanuska pass (4,215 meters above sea level / 13,828 feet), the extraordinary Inca ruins of Winaywayna and the Inti Punku (Sun Gate), which was the original entrance to the Machu Picchu citadel.
Short 2-Day Inca Trail
Of course, this one starts much closer to Machu Picchu. You will be quickly arriving at the Winaywayna site and then hiking towards the Inti Punku (Sun Gate). Another highlight of this trek is getting two afternoons to enjoy the beautiful village of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu station), with all it has to offer: restaurants, bars, shopping and the totally relaxing hot springs.
Salkantay Trek 5 Days
Now this one is quite challenging! Here you will know first the beautiful village of Mollepata, in the middle of massive mountains. Hiking across the Andean elevations, the adventure arrives at the Soraypampa campsite, getting a panoramic view of the Salkantay snowy (6.271 meters above sea level / 20,574 feet), the sacred mountain of the Incas, also one of the highest in the Cusco region. As the altitude begins to decrease, this trek arrives at the beautiful Santa Teresa valley, with its farming extensions and a bridge for those who enjoy bird-watching. Finally, this getting to Machu Picchu option includes the local hydroelectric as a highlight.
Lares Trek 4 Days
In this package, we take you to the famous typical market in Calca, a village in the Sacred Valley. Then we go to Lares village, home of the renowned and relaxing thermal baths. The hike starts there, and the next highlight is the spectacular Ipsaykassa Pass. at 4,450 meters above sea level (approx.14,600 feet), the highest point in this adventure. Marching on, we arrive at the amazing Ollantaytambo village, a place with magnificent Inca remains, which still preserves the urban design of imperial times. Really a must, you should take your time there! Then getting to Machu Picchu area via train ride.
TRAINS
Expedition
When it comes to getting to Machu Picchu by train, this one is the cheapest choice, it’s a low-budget ride. It has, however, wide windows on the sides and roof for admiring the natural beauty of the route, comfortable seats. Also, it is the one with more availability and frequency of departures.
Vistadome
More expensive than the Expedition but offering more to passengers. Its trademark differential are the big, jumbo windows on the sides and roof, getting spectacular views. Also, there is an audio stream talking about the highlights of the route. Finally, on returning from Machu Picchu, there is a live show of typical dances and an exhibition of fine alpaca garments you can purchase.
Hiram Bingham
This is the 5-star, luxury ride way of getting to Machu Picchu. Has a bar car, a gourmet restaurant car and an open one for being fully in contact with surrounding nature. There is a live band playing and you can enjoy top quality international and/or Peruvian food and beverages. It is the most expensive train to Machu Picchu in our packages.
MISCELLANEOUS
There are two more ways of getting to Machu Picchu provided by TOUR IN PERU
By Car – 2 Days
Here, getting to Machu Picchu first jumping in a private van from Cusco City and crossing the astonishing Sacred Valley of the Incas, with its unforgettable landscapes of massive mountains that millions of years ago were at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean! Then arriving at the typical Inca village of Ollantaytambo, which still displays the organized urban design of imperial officials and mighty archaeological remains, thought by foreign spiritual seekers to have been built by aliens getting antigravitational machines! One more mind-blowing experience is going across the Malaga pass at 4,230 meters altitude (13,878 feet approx.). Then Santa Teresa village and the Machu Picchu hydroelectric, getting out of the van and hike for about 2 hours until Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu village).
Inca Jungle 4 Days
Last but not least, this is a varied, adventurous way of getting to Machu Picchu. From Cusco City and crossing the Sacred Valley, we arrive at the Malaga pass, where the mountain biking begins, for a total of 5 hours (there is a lunch break). After, this trek combines walking, bus rides and nights spent at hostels. The final day there is the hike up to the Machu Picchu site.
So, here you have the ways TOUR IN PERU takes our customers to the Inca hilltop citadel and just a sample of the many highlights and wonderful experiences! Pick your preferred alternative of getting to Machu Picchu and talk to our travel professionals!
