Many travelers put visiting Machu Picchu at the top of their bucket list. The ancient Inca city isn’t exactly easily accessible, but here are some pointers on how to get there.
Inca Trail
The best starting point for your trip to Machu Picchu is Cuzco, the former capital of the mighty Inca Empire. From here there are several options to start the journey. The most popular and well-known hiking tour is the classic Inca Trail; a hiking trail of about 45 kilometers long that connects Machu Picchu to the outside world. The route starts in the Sacred Valley of the Urubamba River and continues along high mountain ranges and green forests. Along the way lay more Inca ruins, such as the city of Phuyupatamarca.
Hiking the Inca Trail takes about three to five days. Because of the elevation, it’s important to have a high enough fitness level to complete the full trail You start in Cuzco at 3,360 meters and end at Machu Picchu at 4,200 meters. The tour can only be booked with a certified guide. You will need to carry your backpack while hiking, however it’s possible to hire porters to carry some more stuff for you. They also take care of setting up camp along the way. In addition, there are a number of cooks who provide hikers with different meals. Due to the popularity of the Inca Trail, it is necessary to book the trip in time.
Alternative walking routes
Would you like to hike to the ruins, but do you want something different than the Inca Trail? There are a number of alternative walking routes that can be booked. The most popular is the Salkantay Trail, which distinguishes itself with a hiking trail along high peaks and deep valleys, so that you see a lot of different nature. The Salkantay glacier, one of the highest peaks in the Andes, is one of the highlights of the hike that takes four to five days. Other options are the somewhat quieter Lares Trail where you come into contact with the local population, or the short version of the Inca Trail, which can be hiked in only two days.
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Adventure
There are quite a few tour operators based in Cuzco offering trips to Machu Picchu in several stages, with fun and educational day trips along the way. In a few days you’ll whizz through the mountains at high speed on a bike, take to the water for rafting through the jungle and cover parts via a zip line. Most parts will be traveled by car, but the last part you’ll still need to hike through the jungle.
Train to Aguas Calientes
If you have difficulty walking or have little time, you can also travel by train to Aguas Calientes, officially Machupicchu. The train to the village departs from Ollantaytambo, 65 kilometers northwest of Cuzco. From the station in Aguas Calientes you can take the bus up to the holy city in half an hour.
Opener image: pawopa3336 / iStock