From Cuzco to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) economically! (Step 4)

• Remy

  aguas-calientes peru  

How to get there: Train or Collectivo (minibus) by an agency What to do in Aguas Calientes: Departure from Machu Picchu, Montana Picchu, Huayna (wayna) Picchu, Thermal baths.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEE7FLoP76o Exchange Rate: Bolivianos (BoB or Bs): about 1€ = 7.7 Bob / find the evolution of the rate here Soles (Sol): : about 1€ = 3.75 Sol / find the evolution of the rate here To get to Machu Picchu you must first go to Aguas Calientes which is the starting point. Tickets for Machu Picchu are taken in Cuzco. It is possible to take them to Aguas Calientes but this is risky knowing that on the spot you will have no choice if there are no more! For tickets remember to take your student cards they give access to the discounts of half price for the entrance to Machu Picchu the agency in Cuzco to take the tickets is located Street (Calle) Garcilaso: tickets-machu-picchu The agency is open every weekday from 7:30 am to 5 pm. It is advisable to take your tickets on the internet at this address: http://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/ (If you go there in summer or holidays). The entrance is not necessarily a problem, even if the number of places in Machu Picchu is limited to 200 people per day, the availability is more restrictive to make Montana Picchu (booked the day before for the next day) or Huayna Picchu (very much in demand and booked several months in advance). For Montana Picchu and Huayna Picchu there are departures at 7am or 9am. TAKE THE DEPARTURE AT 7AM !! It is very hot at this altitude so at 9am you will climb to 10am in full sun, very complicated! Price level:

  • Adults: 152 soles = 40€
  • Student: 77 soles = 20€
  • More details here

For the journey from Cuzco to Aguas Calientes:

  • By train (very expensive!) : 300-450 soles (80-120€) for the go and 200-400 soles (50-105 €) for the return. Find the details of the ticket price.
  • By collectivo (minibus) then walk along the rails. Economically this is much more profitable! Many agencies offer this service in Cuzco for 60 soles (16€) about round trip. This allows you to leave early in the morning in general appointment at 7am-7:30am in front of the agency or directly at the hotel. Arrived at Hydroelectrica around 14:30-15:00 and then you have to walk along the rails. Impossible to get lost all the collectivos arrive at the same time and there is only one way (the rails). The rails are wide and there is no danger for pedestrians! Be careful, you still have to walk between 2h and 2h30 depending on the rhythms and weight of the bags (see tips below).

Go on foot along the train tracks to Machu Picchu Go on foot along the train tracks to Machu Picchu Go on foot along the train tracks to Machu Picchu Go on foot along the train tracks to Machu Picchu So we arrive around 5pm in Aguas Calientes in a small hotel that we had booked on booking. Just time to rest, eat in the very nice restaurants of the city and prepare for the next day and MACHU PICCHU.  

  Advice:

  • Leave your bag in cusco in the hostel where you sleep before going to Aguas Calientes. Almost all hotels or hostels offer this service for a fee or not.
  • Hiking shoes are not essential running do the trick.
  • Take Huayna Picchu or Montana Picchu at 7am and not 9am!
  • Taking the entrance to Montana Picchu and Huayna Picchu is definitely worth it and it's not much more expensive even.
  • See the general tips of the article: Trekking Road Trip Peru and Bolivia

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