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.
Download 2008 timetables and fares (pdf)
Link to the Perurail online reservation service
The bus service to ascend to Machu Picchu
Bus Tariffs to ascend to Machu Picchu
(May 2008)
Single.......................................7.00 USD
Return.........................14.00 USD
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!
Visiting Machu Picchu
Entrance from 6:00am.
Entrance tariffs to Machu Picchu (May 2008)
Foreigners
Adults....................................S/122.00
Students and children.......S/61.00
(upon presentation of a valid student or ISIC card)
Nationals
Adults....................................S/62.00
Students and children.......S/31.00
(Upon presentation of identity card or residence permit)
Sunday, free entrance for locals
Tickets are for sale at the
Aguas Calientes
INC-CUSCO 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 daily visitors is 400, and the entrance opens at 7:00 am. It is best therefore to catch the first bus, at 5:30 am.
The Aguas Calientes
(Machu Picchu village) Thermal Baths
Opening hours from 5:00 am to 8.00 pm
Thermal baths tariffs (May 2008)
Foreigners...........................S/10.00
Nationals ............................S/3.00
Locals .................................S/1.00
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 Fee (May 2008)
Adults.........................S/21.00
Students.....................S/11.00
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/5.00 (May 2008)
You can visit the gardens in the afternoon.
At 5:00 pm the train passes by heading towards Aguas Calientes.
The ticket costs s/. 10.00 for foreigners
And s/. 5.00 for nationals
Links
Tariffs of the INC-Cusco
Perurail
The official map
of
Machu Picchu
Map of Machu Picchu
to print
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