Tag: Machu Picchu

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Accommodation Peru travel guide

Hotels near Machu Picchu

When planning to visit Machu Picchu , first you need to get to Cusco , which is the gateway into the Inca historical site. If you plan to take the Inca Trail, you’ll leave from Cusco (after getting used to the high altitude for 3 to 7 days). Another option is to stay in Aguas Calientes , which is the city with where the trains from Cusco stop and from where you can either take a bus or hike to Machu Picchu. There is also the possibility to stay in Machu Picchu Town, but the prices are typically higher than if you were to stay further away.

>>book a cheap hotel in Cusco or look for cheap hostels in Cusco

Should you decide to stay in Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu Town, here are some good options for hotels near Machu Picchu:

Budget Hotels

Hostal Varayoc

The hostel is located less than 100 m from the railway station in downtown Aguas Calientes. All rooms have private bathrooms, TV and there is free internet access available. Laundry service is available. The Continental breakfast is included in the room price. In May 2012, expect to pay from US$35 per night in a double or twin room.

Mid-Range Hotels

Terrazas Del Inca Bed And Breakfast

This hotel is located in downtown Machu Picchu, surrounded by the mountains. It is just 30 min bus drive from the Inca site and has lovely views of the river. The hot springs are just 5 min walk away and the waterfalls are within 45 min hike. All rooms have en suite bathrooms and TV. The on site restaurant offers panoramic views of the area. In May 2012, expect to pay from US$55 per night in a double room, breakfast included.

Machu Picchu Green Nature

The hostel offers free airport pick-up and free breakfast. All rooms have private bathrooms and some have mountain view. In May 2012, expect to pay from US$58 per night in a budget double room with mountain view.

Luxury Hotels

Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel

The 5 star hotel is located just 20 min from Machu Picchu and offers luxurious rooms with cable TV. There are a restaurant and a bar on site. And the guests can relax at the spa. In May 2012, expect to pay from US$548 per night in a superior double or twin room, breakfast included.

Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge

It offers direct views of the Huayna Picchu Mountain. The 5-star hotel also offers free wi-fi and iPod docking stations. Trips to the site can be arranged at the hotel. All rooms have cable TV and private bathrooms. The on site restaurant offers panoramic views of the jungle. In May 2012, expect to pay from US$925 per night in a standard double or twin room, full board.

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Peru travel guide

Getting from Cusco to Machu Picchu

The gateway into the Machu Picchu site is the city of Cusco , which is served by an airport and a bus terminal. Cusco used to be the capital of the Inca Empire and there are plenty of things to see here. Which is great, because if you want to take the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu , you will need to adjust to the altitude and the best places to do that is in Cusco.

The Inca site of Machu Picchu is located in the Andes. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most visited sites in the world. To enter Machu Picchu you need a ticket which can be obtained online here . The current fee is 128 Soles / US$47.60 per adult (foreign visitor). While the best time to visit the sit is from April to October, most of visitors come here from June to August. Needless to say, between June and August the site is awfully crowded.


Quick summary

The easiest way to complete this journey is to travel by train from Cusco to Aguas Calientes and then take a bus all the way up to Machu Picchu. If you want to hike but don’t plan to do the Inca Trail, then you can hike from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu ( 8 km).

Train and bus from Cusco to Machu Picchu

There isn’t a direct train link between Cusco and Machu Picchu , but you can this journey with a stop along the way.

1. Train from Cusco to Aguas Calientes.

Aguas Calientes is a small town, located at the bottom of the valley close to Machu Picchu. This is where you’ll stop for a night on the way from Cusco (unless you want to pay a fortune for accommodation in the only lodge in Machu Picchu).

Peru Rail has a monopoly on the Cusco to Aguas Calientes route. The travel time is about 3h 10 min and there are three types of trains connecting the two places. The cheapest ticket is US$56 one way. Book the tickets in advance as the cheapest option is sold out for months in advance. There are 6 departures per day from Cusco but only one train is low-cost. There are five trains on the way back.

>>read more about Train Travel in Peru

2. Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu

There is a bus which goes all the way up to Machu Picchu. The fare is US$14 return.

>>read more about Bus Travel in Peru

Train and a hike from Cusco to Machu Picchu

Once in Aguas Calientes you can choose to hike the 8 km to Machu Picchu. The trail is mostly steps and it’s not an easy hike , but definitely worth the views. It takes up 1 ½ h – 2 h on the way up and 1 h on the way down. Make sure to bring appropriate hiking boots (the steps can be slippery!) and supplies (water and snacks).

Inca Trail from Cusco to Machu Picchu

Please remember that it’s not possible to hike the Inca Trail independently, you need to be part of a group. Make sure to book the tour in advance because only a limited number of permits are granted each year. The tour departs from Cusco and even though the Classical Inca Trail is the most expensive and the hardest trail take, it’s definitely worth the views and the experience. The trail itself if a 4 days trek but together with the departure from Cusco and return, it takes 7 days to complete the tour.

>>read more about Hiking the Inca Trail

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Peru travel guide

Getting from Lima to Machu Picchu

Lima is the capital of Peru and also most likely where you’ll land if you fly from abroad. It’s a major domestic travel hub and many plan to tackle the rest of the journey in Peru overland rather than by domestic flights.

Machu Picchu is located in the Andes and is the site of an ancient Inca city. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is one of the most familiar symbols of the Inca Empire. It’s also one of the most visited sites in the world.

To enter the site you need a ticket which can be obtained online here . The current fee is 128 Soles / US$47.60 per adult (foreign visitor). The best time to visit Machu Picchu is from April to October, but most of visitors come here from June to August, when it’s awfully crowded.

The gateway into the Machu Picchu site Cusco , which is connected to Lima by air and overland.

>>read more about Getting from Lima to Cusco

Quick summary

Aside from making sure you have the tickets for entering Machu Picchu and all the necessary permits to hike the Inca Trail (if you choose this option), to get to the site, first you need to travel from Lima to Cusco. The cheapest option is by bus (but it takes about 20 h- 21 h). From Cusco , the only way to get to Aguas Calientes is by train. Once in Aguas Calientes you can either take the bus or hike to Machu Picchu.

Flights from Lima (airport code : LIM) to Machu Picchu via Cusco

The closest airport to Machu Picchu is Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ), which serves Cusco. The airport only handles domestic flights.

The direct flights between Lima’s Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM) and Cusco are operated by: LAN Peru, Peruvian Airlines , Star Peru and TACA Peru. The travel time is 1h 25 min and the single fare in 2012 is US$176 on TACA Intl Air. Booking directly from the Peruvian Airlines will save quite a bit and you’ll pay only US$118.50 one way (including the taxes).

>>read more about Flights to Peru and Cheap flights to Lima

From Cusco there are three possibilities to get to Machu Picchu:

  • The Inca Trail: is the hardest option and you must consider that you need to get used to the altitude at least for 7 days before attempting the hike. Also, a limited number of tourists are allowed on the trail and you can only go as part of an organized group.
    >>read more about Hiking the Inca Trail


  • Train to Aguas Calientes , followed by bus to Machu Picchu: this is the easiest and the cheapest way to get to Machu Picchu. Aguas Calientes is a small town at the bottom of the valley near Machu Picchu and is the main entrance point to the site. Peru Rail has a monopoly on the Cusco – Agua Calientes Route. Single fares start at US$112 return. The bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu costs another US$5-6 one way.
    >>read more about Train Travel in Peru


  • Train to Aguas Calientes, followed by a walk to Machu Picchu: it’s also possible to hike the 8 km route similar to which buses take, but it’s mainly stairs. It takes about 1 ½ h – 2 h on the way up and 1 h on the way down. It’s not an easy hike but it’s worth the views, especially if you get to Machu Picchu before the sunrise.

Buses from Lima to Machu Picchu via Cusco

The low cost option is to take the bus from Lima to Cusco. One of the company offering services on the route is Cruz del Sur . There are three departures per day from Lima (2 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m). The travel time is 21 h and the single fare is US$68.38. Buses leave Cusco at 2 p.m. , 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. The single fare is US64.66. You can buy the tickets online and even choose the seat in the bus.

From Cusco, you have the three options presented above: the Inca Trail, the train to Aguas Clienetes followed by a bus ride or by a hike to Machu Picchu.

>>read more about Bus Travel in Peru

Driving from Lima to Machu Picchu via Cusco

There aren’t any to Aguas Clienetes, so you can only drive from Lima to Cusco. The shortest route in terms of driving time is on Panamericana Sur and takes about 13 h and 15 min (1013 km). It is a long drive so it’s best if more than one of you will be driving. But, it’s possible to rent a car in Lima and drive to Cusco.

From Cusco, you can either choose the Inca Trail – but remember to get used to the altitude for at least 7 days before you attempt the hike – or travel by train to Aguas Calientes. From here, you can take the pus to Machu Picchu or hike the 8 km to the ruins.

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