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PE MAP vu4-s.jpg (28165 bytes) Machu Picchu

The Basics
Getting there, hotels, restaurants & tips

Site Map and The Mystery of Machu Picchu
Cuzco
VistaDome rail service Cuzco-Machu Picchu
Hiram Bingham rail service Cuzco-Machu Picchu
Map of Peru Rail services
PE MAP vu-s.jpg (33222 bytes)

GETTING TO MACHU PICCHU:

Getting there is a spectacular trip in itself but no longer a definitive set pattern. It consists of two parts:

  1. Getting to Aguas Calientes
  2. Getting from Aguas Calientes to the ruins

GETTING TO AGUAS CALIENTES: This is one of the great train trips of the world. Orient Express operates two trains:

  • The VistaDome service leaves Cuzco in the morning and zig-zags up and over the mountains and into the Sacred Valley of the Incas and then on to Cuzco, the scenery becoming more dramatic each minute. Arrival is about 9:30 with return departure around 3:30 PM, giving you a bit more than 4 hours at the ruins. As of 2008 there is only one roundtrip from Cuzco but there are multiple roundtrips between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes.
  • The new deluxe Hiram Bingham rail service leaves at Poroy station at 9AM serving Brunch en route and arriving at the ruins at mid-day for tour, tea and free time, and then departing at 6:30 PM with cocktails, dinner and entertainment en route back to Cuzco, arriving at Poroy Station at 9:30 PM.  It is a 30 minute transfer from hotels in the city to the Poroy station.

GETTING FROM AGUAS CALIENTES TO THE RUINS: The train stops at the new station in Aguas Calientes. From the station it is a short walk through the Indian Market to the intersection where buses are lined up. The first bus departs at 0520, and the last bus departs from Machu Picchu at 1730 – don’t miss it as it will take you more than an hour to walk down. In the mornings buses depart every 10 minutes or when full. Once all the trains have arrived, departures are less frequent.

Your tour arrangements will include the ticket for one ride up and one ride down; any additional trips will require the purchase of a ticket.

The ride is a 2,000 foot serpentine road that offers spectacular views to the valley and river. It doesn't matter which side you sit on; because of the numerous switchbacks both sides are exposed multiple times to the open-view side. Going up takes about 20 to 25 minutes; going down about 20 minutes

WHERE TO STAY:

There are two places to stay:

  1. In Aguas Calientes
  2. At the entrance to the ruins

AGUAS CALIENTES:
A booming town, acceptable 3 and 4-star hotels are being built to handle the throngs wanting to overnight. As of May 2005 there are four acceptable places:

AT THE RUINS:

WHERE TO EAT:
Most day tours take the excellent buffet lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge terrace. There are always lots of people at the main eating times of Noon to 2PM. The Sanctuary Lodge also has a small a la carte dining room serving lunch. There is a small snack bar just before the entrance and some plastic tables, chairs and umbrellas. 

There are multiple acceptable pizza houses and small restuarants on the main plaza in Aguas Calientes. Inka Pissa bakes their pizzas in an adobe oven but their menu is much larger than just Pissa.  Just a couple of blocks up the main thoroughfare is the lovely Indio Feliz restaurant.

The Hotel Machu Picchu El Pueblo in Aguas Calientes has built a new large restaurant next to the train station with that will offer day visitors an alternative to the Hotel Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge terrace cafeteria. They operate their own restaurant for their guests for lunch and dinner, and is a viable alternative for dinner if you are staying in town at another hotel.

QUICK FACTS and TIPS:

  • The ruins are open 6AM to 6PM daily; the schedule may vary by half an hour. By law, as of April 2005, they are not open at night.
  • Located at the summit of the mountain, they are at an altitude of around 9,000 feet
  • The ruins are most full between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM
  • The shuttle bus from Aguas Calientes takes about 20 minutes to reach the summit via scenic 2,000 foot serpentine road; your shuttle ticket is good for transport up once and down once. Shuttle tickets for additional trips are easily available at the ticket office opposite the departue point.
  • There are facilitites at the entrance to the ruins (bring your own toilet paper, just in case)
  • There is a snack bar just at the entrance to the ruins
  • Your entry ticket allows you multiple entries only for the one day validity of the ticket; second day visits will require purchase of another ticket
  • There is a small check-room where you can leave bags, etc, for a small fee. Make sure they lock and don't leave anything valuable inside, just to be safe.
  • Food and beverages are not allowed in the ruins. Put any bottled water you have inside a day pack or carry bag so that it is not visible when entering the ruins.
  • Be prepared for your visit and have a day pack to carry your day gear so you have two hands free to help negotiate and navigate the narrow, steep stairs that take you about the ruins.
  • Day gear should include rain poncho or jacket and waterproof case for your camera and film; sun and insect protection; a hat with brim or bill; snacks; bottled water.
  • If you want to climb Huayna Picchu, go early. As of May 2007, there is a limit of 400 hikers per day. The first 200 can begin as soon as they arrive at the starting point but have to hike up (about 1 hour) and be back down by 10AM. The second group of 200 can then depart. The path is steep and narrow and can be quite dangerous if wet. The reward for your efforts is a spectacular vista of the ruins.