We have planned to visit Machu picchu many years ago. Finally we can do it now!
From Cuscos Wanchaq station the bus take two hours to get to Ollantaytambo. Than transfer to the narrow-gauge railway for two more hours to Machupicchu pueblo (= Machupicchu village, former Aguas calientes). For the total 75 km distance.
Landscape on the road and passing through numerous villages
There is a break of the bus drive for 10 minutes at a service station.
Car parks at the service station
Service fee: 1 Sole. The toilette paper is handed out by payment.
Some dwellings next to the lake
Our bus
After 4,5 hours we arrive at Machupicchu pueblo. The village lies beneath warm water springs, so formerly called Aguas Calientes, and virtually around the railway / train station coming from Ollantaytambo. Since the railroad opening in 1931 and influx of foreign tourists starting to visit the Machu Picchu ruins the village increases in size to serve the visitors. Besides the Hidroelectrica nearby at the Urubamba river generates further income for the village.
The narrow-gauge railway. Jerky and shaking. Not much better by bus.
The Urubamba river flows through the village
Our hotel is just a paved path away along the rail road. Our room is clean and suitable for the visit of Machu picchu, sufficient for 2-3 days. With view onto the railway.
All is perfectly well coordinated. The Machu picchu entrance ticket should be booked three months in advance. The entrance time slot is fix. In the morning you queue in line of your entrance time, advisable an hour before your time, for the bus which takes you from the village through the serpentine up to the Machu picchu for 12 USD. Altitude difference: Machupicchu pueblo 2040m, Machu Picchu site 2430m. Optionally you can walk 1,5 km all the stairs up to the site for free.
There are four routes through the Machu picchu depending on your booking, and two optional mountains onsite to climb on in order to have an overview from the top. The smaller mountain is Huchuy Picchu and the higher one Huayna Picchu.