How to reach Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is located in a deep canyon.
The only access is the railroad. You can arrive via Ollantaytambo or Santa Teresa (by foot).
The Railroad Cusco - Ollantaytambo - Machu Picchu
This is the only motorised access to Machu Picchu.
During the tourist season the trains may be full. It is advisable to reserve your seat as early as you can.
Two train companies operate on this route: Perurail and Andean Railways
 Perurail online reservation service
Andean Railways online reservation service
The bus service to ascend to Machu Picchu
Bus Tariffs to ascend to Machu Picchu
(February 2012)
Nationals Adults
Single.......................................6.00 $us
Return......................................12.00 $us
Foreigners Adults
Single.......................................12.00 $us
Return......................................17.00 $us
Nationals Students
Single.......................................4.00 $us
Return......................................8.00 $us
Nationals Children
Single.......................................3.00 $us
Return......................................6.00 $us
Foreigners Children
Single.......................................5.00 $us
Return......................................9.00 $us
Guides
Return......................................S/11.00
Cusco Residents
Return......................................S/18.00
Machu Picchu Residents
Return......................................S/7.00
The ascent to the ruins is quite steep. If you want to save on the fare or enjoy a walk, it is advisable to do so upon your return.
The first bus leaves at 5:30 am and the Machu Picchu ruins open at 6:00 am.
An alternative access route
Santa Maria - Santa Teresa - Machu Picchu
There is an alternative access for those who wish to save on the train fare or discover a different route.
This way is not advised for those who have no notions of Spanish because you will have to ask your way as you progress.
In Cusco, take the bus for Quillabamba and get off at Santa Maria.
At Santa Maria take a shared transport service to Santa Teresa.
From Santa Teresa you will then walk along the rail tracks for approximately three hours.
And there you go ! You've arrived at Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu village).
Be advised that there are frequent landslides on the route to Quillabamba (especially during rainy season)!
It is therefore advisable to go to the Quillabamba station a day in advance to buy your ticket and check that the way is clear!
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Visiting Machu Picchu
Entrance from 6:00am.
Entrance tariffs to the city of Machu Picchu (February 2012)
Foreigners
Adults.........................S/128.00
Students and children.......S/64.00
(upon presentation of a valid student or ISIC card)
Nationals and Andean comunity
Adults.........................S/65.00
Students and children.......S/32.00
(Upon presentation of identity card or residence permit)
Entrance tariffs to the city of Machu Picchu + access to Machu Picchu Mountain (February 2012)
Foreigners
Adults.........................S/152.00
Students and children.......S/76.00
(upon presentation of a valid student or ISIC card)
Nationals and Andean comunity
Adults.........................S/81.00
Students and children.......S/41.00
(Upon presentation of identity card or residence permit)
Sunday, free entrance for locals
Tickets are for sale at the Cusco Regional Directorate of Culture Office.
See the map of Aguas Calientes ►
This mountain is called Wayna Picchu.
It is possible to climb to the top but the maximum number of allowed visitors is 200, and the entrance opens from 7:00 am to 8:00 am for the first group and from 10:00 to 11:00 for the second.
Entrance tariffs to the city of Machu Picchu + access to Wayna Picchu (February 2012)
Foreigners
Adults.........................S/152.00
Students and children.......S/76.00
(upon presentation of a valid student or ISIC card)
Nationals and Andean comunity
Adults.........................S/91.00
Students and children.......S/46.00
(Upon presentation of identity card or residence permit)
The Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu village) Thermal Baths
These are the thermal baths that give their name to Aguas Calientes (hot waters in Spanish). They are sulphurous waters that surge from the ground at about 40 degrees centigrade.
Opening hours from 5:00 am to 8.00 pm
Thermal baths tariffs (February 2012)
Foreigners.........................S/10.00
Nationals .........................S/5.00
Regionals ................................S/3.00
The "Manuel Chávez Ballon" Site Museum and the Botanical gardens of Machu Picchu
Here you will find objects from the Machu Picchu site And maybe one day those that were removed by Hiram Bingham.
Opens from 9:00 am to 4.30 pm every day
Museum Entrance (February 2012)...............S/12.00
The Museum of the Machu Picchu site is half an hour from Aguas Calientes and 10 minutes from the Ruinas Bridge. The entrance fee includes the visit of the botanical gardens nearby.
The Mandor gardens
The initiative of one of the Machu Picchu locals,
these gardens are a superb opportunity to discover the flora and fauna of the Machu Picchu National Sanctuary You will see a great number of colibris in particular.
The Mandor gardens are about an hour from Aguas Calientes following the rail tracks in direction of Santa Teresa. The walk towards the tropical forest is beautiful.
Entrance fee: S/0.00 (February 2012)
You can visit the gardens in the afternoon.
At 5:00 pm the train passes by heading towards Aguas Calientes. The ticket costs S/0.00 for foreigners And S/0.00 for nationals. |
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The oficial map of
Machu Picchu
A map of Machu Picchu Pueblo to print
Useful Links
 Antipode: agencia de viaje en Cusco
 Antipode: agence de voyage à Cusco
Museo de Sitio Machu Picchu
Wikipedia: Machu Picchu en Español
Wikipedia: Machu Picchu en Français
Wikipedia: Machu Picchu
Marca Perú
Empresa de buses Consetur
Pagina official de Machupicchu
Dirección Regional de Cultura Cusco
Système de réservation de Perurail
Andean Railways online reservation service
Perurail online reservation service
Sistema de reservación de Andean Railways
Sistema de reservación de Perurail
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