How to get to Machu Picchu by trekking: routes and tips

Reaching Machu Picchu on foot is not just a way of traveling: it is a journey that combines adventure, history and landscapes that will leave you breathless. Beyond the citadel itself, one of the 7 wonders of the modern worldThe real gift is in the journey: mountains that touch the clouds, ancient Inca trails, and the thrill of walking to one of the most sacred places in South America.

In this post I tell you How to get to Machu Picchu by trekking by Hydroelectric, also mentioning details of other options, such as the famous Inca Trail and the challenger Salkantay TrekYou'll find practical tips, what to pack, how to book, and what to expect from the experience. If you're looking for a trip that combines culture, nature, and physical challenge, read on: this destination has it all.

Brief history of Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu was an Inca citadel built in the 15th century, during the height of the Inca Empire. It is believed to have been built by the emperor Pachacútec around the year 1450.

The craziest thing is that the Spanish they never found her, so it was not sacked or destroyed like other Inca cities. It was “lost” to the outside world until Hiram Bingham, an American explorer, rediscovered it in 1911, guided by local farmers.

Today it is considered one of the greatest architectural and engineering achievements of the Inca Empire, and is UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.

How to buy tickets to visit Machu Picchu

We have two ways to purchase tickets in advance. Please note that beyond what is described below, always check the latest information on the website. official website of the Ministry of Culture of Peru

Buy tickets to visit Machu Picchu online (recommended):

• Official platform: The Ministry of Culture of Peru has enabled the platform Your Ticket for ticket sales.
• Process:
  • Access the link provided.
  • Select your preferred visit date and circuit.
  • Complete your personal information and make the corresponding payment.
• Anticipation: It is recommended to purchase tickets with at least 2 to 3 months in advance, especially during the high season (June to October), as places are limited.

Buy tickets to visit Machu Picchu in person:

In it official site They describe how and where to buy tickets in person.

• Authorized offices:
  • Cusco:
    • Decentralized Directorate of Culture (DDC) on Garcilaso Street, near the Plaza de Armas.
    • Office at 324 Maruri Street.
  • Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town):
    • DDC Office.
• Availability: They are reserved 1,000 entries daily For in-person sales, intended for the next day. However, availability may be limited, so it is advisable to check in advance from this page. link.

Circuits to visit in Machu Picchu

Since June 2024, new circuits have been implemented to visit within Machu Picchu:

• Panoramic Circuit: It is characterized by offering options for wide or panoramic views of the Inca city of Machu Picchu and its sacred mountains.
• Classic Circuit: It is characterized by combining a visit to the platforms in the middle section and the entire urban area of the Inca City of Machu Picchu.
• Royalty Circuit: It consists of four routes and is characterized by exploring the most sacred and important spaces occupied by Inca royalty, such as the Temple of the Sun, the House of the Inca, the Temple of the Condor, among others.

I feel like they've made it quite complicated. It used to be simpler; you had to pay a single entry fee and then Huayna Picchu separately.

Now, each circuit has variants that may include access to mountains such as Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. You should be well-informed before purchasing your ticket, as each option may have a different price.

The details of each circuit, including what is included or not, can be seen in the official site.

How to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco as a starting point

The first objective we have before arriving at Machu Picchu is Hot Waters. This picturesque town, located next to the Vilcanota River, is a must-see before embarking on the final hike to the ruins. It's the perfect base before the climb, where you can eat in one of its many restaurants, find accommodation, enjoy the hot springs, rest, or take a stroll. It's very pretty, and I recommend spending at least a couple of nights here.

So taking as a starting point CuzcoThere are several options for reaching the ancient Inca citadel. They all vary in price, time, and comfort, so you can imagine that the fastest and most comfortable options will be the most expensive, while those requiring more time and physical effort will be the cheapest.

Below I'll tell you what those options are in general terms so you're up to date, and then I'll elaborate on the one I made.

How to get to Aguas Calientes from Cusco

1. Bus to Ollantaytambo + Bus to km 82 + Trekking (cheaper)

This option involves taking a bus leaving from Cusco to the town of Ollantaytambo (2 hours approx.). Then take another bus to km 82 of route 288 (approx. 30 min). From there walk towards Aguas Calientes for 6/7 hours. approximately along the train tracks. I don't remember the price of the buses, but it was the cheapest option of all. But don't be overconfident, as buses from Ollantaytambo sometimes don't run or aren't on schedule.

• Estimated travel time: 9.30 horas y caminando mucho.

2. Bus to Santa María + Bus to Santa Teresa + Bus to Hidroelectrica + Trekking

In this alternative, we will take a bus to the town of Santa María (5/6 hours approx.). From there another bus to Santa Teresa (1 hour), and finally another bus to Hidroeléctrica (30 min)They say there may be buses connecting Santa María with Hidroeléctrica, too, in case you want to avoid going to Santa Teresa. From Hidroeléctrica, you have to walk along the train tracks for two to three hours until you reach the town of Aguas Calientes. I don't remember the price of the buses, but they were also very affordable. The downside to this option is that with so many buses and transfers, the wait can be very long. There's no guarantee of when they'll arrive.

If you want to avoid walking the 2/3 hours from Hidroeléctrica, the train that goes along the same tracks we have to go around usually stops at that station, but the trip is usually quite expensive (approximately USD 25).

• Tiempo estimado del recorrido: 9.30 horas sin caminar tanto pero sin contar las horas de espera de los buses

3. Minivan to Hydroelectric + Trekking (the one I chose)

The most popular option among backpackers. Daily minivans depart from Cusco directly to Hidroeléctrica (approximately 6:30 a.m.). From there, as with the previous option, you have to walk for two to three hours along the train tracks toward the town of Aguas Calientes.

It is usually more expensive than options 1 and 2, but you are guaranteed to arrive at a certain time.

• Estimated travel time: 9.30 hours taking a single transport

4. Inca Trail

This is the most famous and iconic trekking route to Machu Picchu. It follows sections of the ancient Qhapaq Ñan, the Inca trail system, and passes through archaeological ruins, mountains, cloud forests, and highland jungle.

• Duration: 4 days / 3 nights (2-day short version also available)
• Distance: 42 km approx.
• Maximum height: 4,215 m (Abra Warmiwañusca or “Dead Woman’s Pass”)
• Difficulty level: Moderate-high
• Strong point: You arrive at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) at dawn, an epic entrance.

Important:

• Requires reserve months in advance. Limited places per day.
• It can only be done with an authorized agency.

5. Salkantay Trek

A wilder and less regulated alternative to the Inca Trail. It crosses breathtaking landscapes, such as the Salkantay Glacier, turquoise lagoons, and jungle areas. It doesn't follow Inca trails but offers incredible views and a more adventurous vibe.

• Duration: 5 days / 4 nights (although there are variations)
• Distance: 72 km approx.
• Maximum height: 4,650 m (Salkantay Pass)
• Difficulty level: High
• Strong point: Diversity of landscapes, fewer tourists, and more contact with nature.

Important:

• No official permits are required; you can do it with or without an agency (although it's advisable to go with a guide if you don't have experience at altitude).

6. Tourist Train to Aguas Calientes

The most comfortable and fastest option is taking the tourist train of the companies Peru Rail either Inca RailThe trains leave from Cusco (approx. 6 hours) and from Ollantaytambo (approx. 2 hours)The price is clearly high. Official sites can confirm ticket prices.

• Estimated travel time: 6 hours from Cusco

I may be missing another option for getting to Machu Picchu; you could even try hitchhiking. But generally speaking, the ones I mentioned are the most well-known.

I opted for the third option, which would involve getting to Hidroeléctrica via minivans. It costs a little more than the first two options, but you can be sure of your departure and arrival times, and the added bonus is that you don't have to walk as far (although I love walking).

Go to Hidroeléctrica to get to Aguas Calientes

Hiring a van from Cusco to Hidroeléctrica is very easy. All the agencies located in the city center offer this option. If there are more people traveling, you can even negotiate the price.

The departure time must be coordinated with the agency you selected. It's generally early enough to arrive around 2:00 PM at the latest, and you should also let them know what day you plan to return.

It's important to keep in mind that if we're returning the same way, taking the minivans from Hidroeléctrica to Cusco, we must arrive before 2:00 PM. This is because there are usually many people in the same situation as us, and if we arrive late, we might have trouble finding a seat, even if we've paid for it.

The van picked me up from the hostel around 6:30 a.m. It does this with each passenger until all seats are filled, and then the trip begins.

During the nearly 7-hour tour, we can see the magnificent landscapes that make up the Sacred Valley. At one point along the route, we begin a zigzag climb above the clouds, offering a great panoramic view, before beginning the descent.

The route is generally in good condition, except for some gravel sections, but it's safe. They usually make one or two stops along the way to stretch their legs, use the bathroom, and eat if desired.

We arrived at Hidroeléctrica around 2:00 PM. There isn't much to do there; it's simply a place where the power plant operates (or used to operate). There are also some food stalls if you want to eat or buy supplies. There's also a train stop if you want to hop on and avoid the hours of walking. It's the one I mentioned earlier, which is expensive for such a short trip, but it's an option.

The trekking towards Aguas Calientes begins along the tracks

The journey along the train tracks is approximately 10 km. It can take between 2 and 3 hours depending on your pace and the number of stops you make.

The path is flat throughout, so it's not difficult at all. You just have to keep following the tracks at all times (be careful when the train passes :D). We also met many other travelers on the same path as us, so it was impossible to get lost.

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The surroundings are very beautiful, and we'll enjoy them as we travel. It's a jungle landscape surrounded by mountains and rivers. Occasionally, we see a structure built by the Incas on the mountains, giving us a glimpse of what we'll see when we reach Machu Picchu.

This part of the trip is very enjoyable, especially after spending almost seven hours in a minivan. You're eager to walk and stretch your legs at last, and what better way to do it than here.

It was around 5:00 PM until we started to see the buildings and houses of the town, we were almost at Aguas Calientes!

Town of Aguas Calientes

We finally arrived at the town. It all started at 6:30 in Cusco and ended at 5:00 in Aguas Calientes. We finally arrived...whee.

Aguas Calientes is the town just below the mountain where the citadel is located, located next to the river. We definitely have to stop by here if we want to go to Machu Picchu.

Once we arrive, the main thing is to find accommodation, if we haven't already booked it. In my case, I didn't have any, so I started walking through the picturesque streets, asking for prices at every hostel I found. You can get good prices by comparing prices. I stayed at the Hostal Qoyllor for 25 soles.

There's a wide variety of restaurants, bars, and bowling alleys. There's a campsite, hot springs to relax your muscles after all that traveling, clothing stores, craft shops, and a little bit of everything.

I liked the vibe of the place. It's one of those places in the world where travelers from all over meet, all of us who came here with the same goal. discover one of the 7 modern wonders of the world.

But with the afternoon so late, there wasn't much time for anything else. It was a matter of relaxing and eating well so we could start the next day with energy.

If you are not convinced to do it this way, you can always Book day trips that take you from Cusco to the Inca city, for example.

Getting to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes

Day two of this journey. Today marks the best part and the reason we're here. To reach Machu Picchu, you must first begin the climb from Aguas Calientes to the long-awaited Inca citadel.

There are 2 ways to go up: on foot (free) or by bus (paid).

• On foot: This involves walking up a well-guided path with large steps from the village to the ruins. This section can take between 1 and 2 hours, depending on your fitness level.

• By bus: If you don't feel like or can't walk, there's a very frequent bus service that departs from the town center of Aguas Calientes to the resort entrance. The well-maintained route leads up to the resort, so you can get on quickly. However, there are usually long lines to get on the buses, but they definitely go faster than walking.

Once we reach the end of the path, we'll encounter a large crowd of people waiting in line. This is where we must present our tickets, which we must have purchased beforehand.

Once this step is unlocked, we are done, We have arrived at Machu Picchu!

Welcome to one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World, Machu Picchu

Arriving at Machu Picchu didn't feel like arriving at that postcard we see so often in photos; it felt more like stepping through a portal to the past. There it was, the Inca citadel, shrouded in mist, as if it still refused to fully reveal itself.

Those mists and clouds that constantly threaten to cover the surrounding ruins and mountains. If you have a sunny or clear day, congratulations, you're in luck.

I stepped away from the crowds and cameras to sit for a while in silence, unhurried, just to absorb it. I thought about the Incas, the roads they built, everything left behind and everything that has stood the test of time (although you can see it in some buildings that have been renovated).

Walking here was more than an adventure: it was a connection with something ancient, profound, that can't be fully explained, only felt.

And that, I think, is what makes Machu Picchu so much more than a wonder of the world.

What to see in Machu Picchu

Once inside the Inca citadel, we can see several things:

1. Tour the citadel

• You will see temples, agricultural terraces, houses and water canals.
• Not to be missed: Temple of the Sun, Intihuatana (sundial) and the Temple of the Three Windows.

2. Climb Huayna Picchu

• It is the mountain that appears in the background of the classic postcard.
• The climb is steep but short (~1 hour) and the view from the top is amazing.
• Requires separate entrance and there are limited daily quotas.

3. Climb Machu Picchu Mountain

• Higher than Huayna Picchu, fewer people, and brutal panoramic views.
• A longer and more demanding hike, but ideal if you want something more peaceful and contemplative.

4. Walk to the Inca Bridge

• An easy walk (45 min round trip) that shows how the Incas controlled access to the citadel.

5. Visit the Intipunku (Sun Gate)

• Original entry point of the Inca Trail.
• It is about a 40-60 minute climb from the citadel.
• Ideal to have a different view of the site.

If you want to see more photos of Peru, I have a section of Fotografía -> Perú so that they can see them

Best time to go to Machu Picchu

Dry season (April to October): the best time

• Recommended months: May, June, September
• More stable weather, clear skies, dry trails.
• Perfect for trekking (Inca Trail, Salkantay, etc.).
• June and July They are the most popular → more people and higher prices.

Advice: May and September They are ideal. Good weather and fewer crowds.

Rainy season (November to March): less recommended

• More rain, fog, and the risk of landslides on trekking routes.
• February: he Inca Trail is closed for maintenance.
• Still, Machu Picchu can be visited (by train), and there are fewer tourists.

Final thoughts on the visit to Machu Picchu

Having already seen the 7 modern wonders, I can say that Machu Picchu, along with Petra, are the ones I enjoyed visiting the most.

We're talking about cities built in remote locations without the technology we have today. How clever must the Incas have been to build this entire citadel on a mountain? Just looking at what they built in such a challenging environment is enough to make you awestruck by its grandeur.

The added bonus is the setting where it was built. That valley, surrounded by mountains, conveys a sense of serenity and spirituality that I didn't experience in the other buildings. It transports you to a distant time, when the Inca Empire still ruled these lands.

For me, it's a place we should visit at least once in our lives, especially if we live in South America, since it's close by and we all speak Spanish.

With this we come to the end of this guide to visiting Machu Picchu by trekking from Hidroeléctrica.

If you have any comments, please feel free to leave them below.

And if you've made it this far reading, thank you for your time!