If you’re lucky enough to have sturdy legs and lots of free time, anda can summit to Machu Picchu the way the Incans did, on foot via a several hari Inca Trail trek. But for the rest of us, a complicated combination of taxi, rail, and bus is required. Most visitors navigate the Cusco-Sacred Valley-Machu Picchu transportation labyrinth with the help of a tour guide—recommended even for do-it-yourself travelers. However, if anda insist on flying solo, you’re going to need a map. Below is a step-by-stop guide to help anda successfully pilot your way to the peak.
Step 1. Let us assume that sejak bus, rail, atau plane you’ve successfully arrived in Cusco, utama of the historical Incan Empire. Good job! After anda refresh yourself with a tasty pisco masam in the bustling Plaza de Armas, it is time to head to the train. It would be nice if the train station was located in town, atau in walking distance of town, but it is not. The Poroy train station is located eight-miles west of Cusco, atau about a 20 minit ride. To get to the station anda can take a taxi atau a small local bus—your hotel can help anda with this. Hint: The bus is less expensive.
Step 2. Once anda are at the station, anda need to decide what class of ticket anda want to buy. Here are the three types in order of cheapest to most expensive: Expedition, Vistadome, and Hiram Bingham. Please note that if anda are traveling during high season, anda should buy the tickets well in advance, as they often sell out. Tickets can be purchased online at www.perurail.com. If anda fail to heed this Nasihat and discover there are no tickets for the hari of your planned Machu Picchu adventure, do not despair: anda can take a bus to the town of Ollantaytambo (located between Cusco and Machu Picchu), and take a train from there to Machu Picchu.
anda should be aware that unlike airplanes, in which all classes travel in the same vehicle, the Cusco-Machu Picchu train has three different types of trains for the three different classes. Therefore, departure times depend on what type of ticket anda purchase. As of February 2011, Vistadome leaves the station earliest, right before 7 a.m., giving those who pay the extra 30 soles for first class a head start to the ruins. Expedition leaves around 7:40 a.m., and Hiram Bingham leaves leisurely a little after 9 a.m.
In addition to ticket price, there are slight differences among the trains. Expedition class takes a standard train with seats that face each other and snacks for purchase onboard. Vistadome offers similar service, though the train has panoramic windows, windows on the ceiling, leather forward-facing seats, and complimentary snacks. Then, for all anda classy travelers, there is the Hiram Bingham. You’ll feel like you’re in a moving five-star hotel on this train. This is full-service trip with meals served onboard (there are two dining cars) and your train ticket includes a bus ticket to the bahagian, atas of Machu Picchu, the entrance ticket, a guided tour of the site, and afternoon teh at the Machu Picchu lodge.
Step 3. It is important to remember that the train does not actually take anda to the Machu Picchu ruin site. It takes anda to the small town of Machu Picchu Pueblo, also called Aguas Calientes (just to make things confusing) and the only way to get here is sejak foot atau train. The renowned Machu Picchu site sits teasingly about five miles further on. But take a deep breath, because now you’re almost there. After anda exit the train at the last stop anda have two options: hike up the steep path that runs near the road (a one-to-two jam journey) atau buy a rather costly bus ticket for the 20-minute ride up to Machu Picchu’s entrance. Buses leave every 30 minutes.
Step 4. Congratulations! You’ve made it to Machu Picchu, one of the 7 New Wonders of the World. Now is the time to forget your travel-induced stress; you’re standing in front of one of the most remarkable architectural and historical sites in the world. It is time to finally enter—if, that is, anda remembered to buy your Machu Picchu entrance ticket at the Instituto Nacional de Cultura in Cusco atau Aguas Calientes. Otherwise, anda have a long trip back down. There is no ticket booth at the site.
For lebih information about how to travel to Machu Picchu and to learn about lebih Peru travel opportunities contact one of our travel advisors at Peru For Less. (www.peruforless.com)
Step 1. Let us assume that sejak bus, rail, atau plane you’ve successfully arrived in Cusco, utama of the historical Incan Empire. Good job! After anda refresh yourself with a tasty pisco masam in the bustling Plaza de Armas, it is time to head to the train. It would be nice if the train station was located in town, atau in walking distance of town, but it is not. The Poroy train station is located eight-miles west of Cusco, atau about a 20 minit ride. To get to the station anda can take a taxi atau a small local bus—your hotel can help anda with this. Hint: The bus is less expensive.
Step 2. Once anda are at the station, anda need to decide what class of ticket anda want to buy. Here are the three types in order of cheapest to most expensive: Expedition, Vistadome, and Hiram Bingham. Please note that if anda are traveling during high season, anda should buy the tickets well in advance, as they often sell out. Tickets can be purchased online at www.perurail.com. If anda fail to heed this Nasihat and discover there are no tickets for the hari of your planned Machu Picchu adventure, do not despair: anda can take a bus to the town of Ollantaytambo (located between Cusco and Machu Picchu), and take a train from there to Machu Picchu.
anda should be aware that unlike airplanes, in which all classes travel in the same vehicle, the Cusco-Machu Picchu train has three different types of trains for the three different classes. Therefore, departure times depend on what type of ticket anda purchase. As of February 2011, Vistadome leaves the station earliest, right before 7 a.m., giving those who pay the extra 30 soles for first class a head start to the ruins. Expedition leaves around 7:40 a.m., and Hiram Bingham leaves leisurely a little after 9 a.m.
In addition to ticket price, there are slight differences among the trains. Expedition class takes a standard train with seats that face each other and snacks for purchase onboard. Vistadome offers similar service, though the train has panoramic windows, windows on the ceiling, leather forward-facing seats, and complimentary snacks. Then, for all anda classy travelers, there is the Hiram Bingham. You’ll feel like you’re in a moving five-star hotel on this train. This is full-service trip with meals served onboard (there are two dining cars) and your train ticket includes a bus ticket to the bahagian, atas of Machu Picchu, the entrance ticket, a guided tour of the site, and afternoon teh at the Machu Picchu lodge.
Step 3. It is important to remember that the train does not actually take anda to the Machu Picchu ruin site. It takes anda to the small town of Machu Picchu Pueblo, also called Aguas Calientes (just to make things confusing) and the only way to get here is sejak foot atau train. The renowned Machu Picchu site sits teasingly about five miles further on. But take a deep breath, because now you’re almost there. After anda exit the train at the last stop anda have two options: hike up the steep path that runs near the road (a one-to-two jam journey) atau buy a rather costly bus ticket for the 20-minute ride up to Machu Picchu’s entrance. Buses leave every 30 minutes.
Step 4. Congratulations! You’ve made it to Machu Picchu, one of the 7 New Wonders of the World. Now is the time to forget your travel-induced stress; you’re standing in front of one of the most remarkable architectural and historical sites in the world. It is time to finally enter—if, that is, anda remembered to buy your Machu Picchu entrance ticket at the Instituto Nacional de Cultura in Cusco atau Aguas Calientes. Otherwise, anda have a long trip back down. There is no ticket booth at the site.
For lebih information about how to travel to Machu Picchu and to learn about lebih Peru travel opportunities contact one of our travel advisors at Peru For Less. (www.peruforless.com)