How to Get to Machu Picchu Peru - 1 of New 7 World Wonders

Hello travelers, this time I want to share my travel experience, recommendations and description about this archaeological zone. As well as its incomparable landscape environment with beautiful mountains as Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu. I have always wanted to visit the new 7 wonders of the modern world, so I start going to Machu Picchu in Peru. This enigmatic and beautiful place declared a world heritage site was built in the fifteenth century by the Inca civilization. I just want to start by telling you a little about this civilization before talking about Machupicchu.

Inca civilization

The Incas were a pre-Columbian civilization that existed in western South America. In countries like Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and mainly in the region of Cusco in Peru. Their language was Quechua. They practiced textile, agriculture, ceramics, sculpture, painting, goldsmithing and especially architecture. Therefore, they built agricultural centers, irrigation systems, roads, bridges, fortresses and sanctuaries high in the mountains.

In architecture, stone was the main material for Incas constructions. In the most important buildings, the walls were formed by carved stone blocks. These blocks were placed symmetrically fitting perfectly, so that not even a pin passed between them. Many of the stone blocks were so large that even today it is difficult to know how they were placed. The best example of this is precisely in the archaeological zone of Machupicchu in Peru.

Travel experience in Machu Picchu

As I had already told you, Machu Picchu is the city that the Incas built in the middle of the Andes mountain range, in Cusco Peru. It is designed with large stone blocks joined together. It has an impressive architecture, engineering and landscape environment.

From the moment I decided to make this trip in 2018, I did not want to travel with any tours company. Since I am a good backpacker, I love adventure, create my own itinerary and take the time to know places. Therefore, I will tell you about my experience as a backpacker to arrive to Machu Picchu. I will also tell you about the scheduled tours.

I was so excited to enjoy Machu Picchu, so I bought 2 tickets online to enter 2 days in a row in the morning. Tickets must be purchased in advance especially if you are going to climb one of the mountains. It is advisable to purchase them at least 2 months in advance. I did it through the official Machupicchu website, although there are other pages to buy tickets. You can even buy them in the town closest to the archaeological zone called Aguas Calientes. Remember you must have your entrance to Machu Picchu, otherwise you will not be able to enter.

Something important to know is that in Machu Picchu it is not allowed to be all day with a single entry due to the crowd of people entering. If you want to be all day you must purchase 2 tickets. One for the morning from 6am to 12pm and the other for the afternoon from 12pm to 5:30 pm.

Archaeological Zone of Machu Picchu in Peru

How to get to Machu Picchu

To get to Machu Picchu you must necessarily go to Cusco, there you will have as options 3 routes to go to the place. The route you choose depends on the experience you want to live and the type of traveler you are. I will tell you first about the route I took as an option to get to Machu Picchu.

Hydroelectric route

Being an adventurer, I am fascinated by hiking and looking for long paths to learn more about destinations. That’s why I decided to take a known route, which many people do and it is ideal for me. This is the hydroelectric route. The tour starts from Cusco by bus, you must take it at the bus terminal of Qullabamaba to Santa María. The journey takes approximately 5 hours. In Santa María you must take a taxi or bus to Santa Teresa, it will take you 1 hour on the way. If you want you can sleep that night in Santa Teresa or continue with the walk through the hydroelectric. In my case I took the opportunity to enjoy its beautiful hot springs and spent the night there. The next day I got up early to continue my journey.

To get to the entrance of the hydroelectric, you must take a taxi from Santa Teresa, which takes 25 minutes to get there. When you arrive, at the entrance you must follow to Aguas Calientes, the path is signposted. You must do the whole journey walking for 3 hours along the train lane. Accompanied by a wonderful landscape of mountains and the Urubamaba River. As with multiple travelers who come and go along the same path.

Upon arriving in Aguas Calientes you must take a bus that takes you in 20 minutes to the entrance of the Inca city. Another way to get there is by climbing stairs about 1 hour to the entrance of Machu Picchu. If you prefer to take the bus you must buy the ticket online or directly in Aguas Calientes.

Hydroelectric Route for Machu Picchu Peru

Inca Trail Route

It is a route created by the Incas with beautiful landscapes around it. This is quite demanding due to its height. If you want to take this path you must necessarily acquire it through a tourism agency with a guide. The reservation must be made a few months in advance because it is very busy. Agencies usually offer 4-day and 3-night plans, or 5-day and 4-night plans. On this route you do not pass through Aguas Calientes but you arrive directly to Machupicchu.

Train route

The most popular route for tourists who take as an option to get to Machu Picchu. Since it is the best known, as well as comfortable and fast.

You need to buy your ticket for the train that will take you to Aguas Calientes, you can do it online. You can also buy it in Cusco in the main square or in Ollantaytambo on the railway avenue. It is advisable to arrive half an hour before the train leaves and take the passport and the copy of the ticket.

To get to the different train stations such as: Poroy, Ollantaytambo and Urubamba from Cusco you must do it by taxi or bus. If you wish you can book your own transportation via online, there are different pages to do it, including ticketmachupicchu.

If you travel on your own you must necessarily buy all these tickets, but if you travel with an agency do not worry, they will include them in the plan.

Visiting Machupicchu

The first thing you should know before anything else is there are 3 different options for visiting Machu Picchu. You must take it into account when purchasing your tickets.

Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu

Machupicchu and Huayna Picchu Mountain
Machupicchu and Machu Picchu Mountain
Only Machupicchu (citadel)

In my case I wanted to live the full experience so I bought the 2 tickets that included the two mountains. The climb to each of the mountains either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain is done in the morning.

When you arrive in Machupicchu you must hire the services of a guide if you go on your own. The guides are at the entrance and you can hire them with more people. It is mandatory to visit the city of Machupicchu in the company of a guide, for the mountains it is not necessary. The moment I arrived I hired my guide with more people and we began the tour of the citadel.

The first thing I must say is that this site is visited by many people so you can see a lot of people there. This situation bothered me a little in the citadel and more at the time of taking the photographs, since its splendor was not noticed by the crowd of people. That’s why I decided to buy a third ticket for the afternoon to fully enjoy the citadel. Since in the afternoon they only sell the ticket without the mountains. As well as the number of people who enter has no comparison with the one who attends in the morning. So for taking pictures is better in afternoon. In addition, this ticket has easy availability and it is not necessary to buy in advance.

Archaeological Area — Machu Picchu City and Huayna Picchu Mountain

I will talk first of each of the mountains and then of the city.

Huayna Picchu Mountain

It is the best known mountain and therefore the most visited of Machu Picchu. The climb takes 1 hour, is quite demanding and you feel a sensation of vertigo. Because it is quite steep, with very narrow areas and several cliffs. Also, it has parts where there are steps very steeps, almost vertical. It is not recommended for people who suffer from vertigo and fear of heights. But if you have the possibility and you are not afraid to climb it, it is worth it. Since from there you can see a magnificent and beautiful view of the entire landscape and the citadel. Due to the difficulty of the climb and the rainy area, it is only allowed to climb the Huayna Picchu mountain in the morning hours.

Machu Picchu Mountain

It has the same name of the Inca city. The route is longer, but less risky than the Huayna Picchu mountain. Since the road is not as steep nor narrow. The journey up and down takes approximately 3 hours. This mountain was a path used by the Incas. Reason why the road and the few steps it has are well defined. From there you can see a panoramic view of the entire city and also the Vilcanota River.

Machupicchu City

The city of Machu Picchu is a majestic area deep into the mountain. It has an amazing architecture and engineering. In addition, it has an extensive drainage system to prevent accumulation of rainwater. Drainage was made with layers of gravel and rocks. The surrounds of the city have dense forests in the mountains, which are home to the spectacled bear and the condor of the Andes.

Machupicchu Landscape — Citadel and Mountains Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu Ruins — Citadel and Mountains Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu

We did the tour with the guide who gave us an extensive explanation of each area and its history. He told us that the archeological site is divided into two zones: the agricultural zone and the urban zone. The agricultural area is formed by sets of crop terraces. The urban area is made up of squares and more than 150 buildings. Among the most representative constructions are: the Temple of the condor, the Temple of the sun, the main Temple and the Temple of the three windows.

Condor Temple

In this temple they carried the mummified body of the people who died, so that the condor transported his spirit to the other world. Since in the beliefs of the Incas it was thought that in the hereafter it opened another world much better. There also animal sacrifices were made to honor the condor for being a divine representation of fertility. The rocky architecture of the temple represents a bird with wings extended. This design demonstrates the ingenuity, creativity and inventiveness of the Incas. In the underground part of the temple there are several dungeons for prisoners.

Sun Temple

It is a small construction in semicircular form, giving the impression of being a castle. I found it very pretty and very classic. The information they gave us about the enclosure is that it was used only by priests to honor the sun. It was also used as an astronomical observatory. I was really impressed by the design, it’s beautiful.

Main temple

In the place where the construction was built is the highest point in the entire city. There is the sacred square that was a place very respected by the Incas. Since they considered it an enclosure of great spirituality. And in this way I felt it, in this square everyone has great respect, everything feels calm without the noise of the people, there is peace and tranquility. The guide told us that apparently in this temple the most important religious rituals celebrated throughout the citadel were made. The most amazing thing is that due to the multiple rains in the area the temple has moved and its original direction has changed.

Temple of the three windows

It is a temple with three windows elaborated symmetrically. In it you can appreciate and detail the way as perfect as they put the stone blocks in their construction. This structure is one of the most important in the city. It is located near the residential sector of the citadel. From there you can see a wonderful view and the Huayna Picchu mountain. Religious ceremonies were performed in the temple. It is a construction of great beauty and elegance.

Here ends my trip and tour of Machu Picchu Peru. For the return to the city of Cusco, make the route again through the hydroelectric. In the same way you can make any of the other 2 routes for the return, either by the Inca trail or by train.

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Recommendations

As my main recommendation is that you visit the archaeological zone of Machu Picchu in Peru. Truly it is to admire this citadel for the beauty of its buildings and the incomparable natural beauty.
Buy the entrance to Machu Picchu and the tickets for each of the transports, either the train or the buses.
Always arrive in advance to the places where the different transports are taken.
Always carry identity documents or passport.
Trying to enter Machupicchu as soon as the turn begins, either in the morning or in the afternoon to enjoy it to the fullest, this time will never be enough.
If it is possible to climb at least one of the mountains and try to enter a second time in the afternoon to enjoy much more of the citadel.
Do not bring cars in Machu Picchu, entry is not allowed, babies can be carried in kangaroos or baby carriers.
Wear only what is necessary as: sunscreen, water, a camera, non-slip shoes and rain coats. In the area they do not let in umbrellas.