How to arrive to Machu Picchu
Where is Peru?: At 1'285,220 sq. Km, Peru is the third-largest country in South America, it limits to the north with Ecuador, to the northeast with Colombia, to the east with Brazil, to the southeast with Bolivia, to the south with Chile and to the west with the Pacific Ocean.
Travel to Peru by air
International airlines operate scheduled flights to Peru's Jorge Chávez International Airport, located in Lima - Peru.
- From New York - Newark, Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, Mexico and Toronto exist direct flights to Lima.
- From Europe exist direct flights to Lima from Madrid, Paris and Amsterdam.
- Peru has direct flights from the main cities in Latin America as Bogota, Buenos Aires, Caracas, Guayaquil, La Habana, La Paz, Mexico, Panama, Quito, Rio de Janeiro, Santiago, Sao Paulo, San Jose de Costa Rica, Santo Domingo.
- Flights from Asia or Oceania to Peru, connection by USA or Europe.
Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM Airport Code) in Lima is the main gate for international flights and it's the main hub to local flights connections.
How to arrive to Machu Picchu
To get Machu Picchu, you need arrive to Cuzco City, or Ollantaytambo - Sacred Valley of the Incas - train station, and then go by train to Machu Picchu, or hiking through the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu begins in the kilometer 82 of the railroad Cuzco to Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu Town (Aguas Calientes) don't has airport. There are not roads between Cuzco to Machu Picchu.
All travelers to and from Machu Picchu Inca Citadel must pass through Machu Picchu Town.
There are daily bus services or taxis between Cuzco and Ollantaytambo. Also bus services between Machu Picchu Town (Aguas Calientes) and Machu Picchu Inca citadel on the top mountain.
Traveling to Machu Picchu by Train
The traditional and most frequent is by train from Cuzco city, or from Sacred Valley of the Incas, to the station of Machu Picchu Town.
PeruRail links the tourist highlights of the Andes. It operates from historic Cuzco to the famous Machu Picchu. Since PeruRail's (Orient Express) formation in 1999, services have been upgraded to the highest standards of comfort, safety and convenience. Specially designed first-class carriages have been added to most trains, with excellent dining services and improved washroom facilities. In addition, there are now observation cars for unhindered viewing of the magnificent landscape.
- Train Services to Machu Picchu - Peru Rail
- Hiram Bingham Deluxe Class Train Service from Cuzco to Machu Picchu
- Vistadome and Expedition Class Train Services from Cuzco to Machu Picchu
- Vistadome Valley and Expedition Class Train Services from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu
- Itineraries, fares and reserve train tickets Cuzco to Machu Picchu
When arriving to Machu Picchu Town, small buses can be taken that ascend the mountain and transport you to the Inca citadel.
The train line runs parallel to some parts of the Urubamba River, and the trip itself is a show for the beautiful landscapes that you observe.
Hiking, Inca Trail
For those that have about 4 exclusive days for the visit to Machu Picchu Inca City and also are adventure lovers, the walk through the "Inca trail" is recommended. This route has become the favorite of many tourists and only last year, more than 15 thousand people followed these roads to arrive to Machu Picchu Town.
This hiking begins in the 82 kilometer of the railroad Cuzco - Machu Picchu Town, in Ollantaytambo. Leaded by guides and in groups not smaller than 10; you arrive to Machu Picchu after 4 days, after traveling 40 kms. (24.85 miles) by the old Inca stone road, on the edge of the Urubamba canyon. The road crosses the Inca ruins of Patallacta, Huallabamba, Runku Rakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyu Pata Marca and Wiñaywayna. Besides captivating natural landscapes, water falls, tunnels, abundant flora and fauna, amid the exuberant vegetation for being near the forest, with view to the snowy mountains, and with pure air free of any vestige of contamination; ideal for birdwatching. The service of mountain guides, includes all the equipment, feeding, tents, carriers, etc.
Exist routes for hiking of smaller duration; one that leaves from the 104 km. of the railroad crosses the ruins of Wiñaywayna and after few hours you arrive to Machu Picchu.
In all these routes lodgings of "Instituto Nacional de Cultura" (National Institute of Culture) exist where you can spend the night, and the roads are signaled, in spite of it, it is recommended to hire the services of experienced mountain guides.
The acces to Machu Picchu Inca City is limited to 2,500 people per day, is recommendable to make a reserve ahead of time, especially in high season (June - Julio - August). Reservations for Inca Trail are only processed with 30 days of anticipation, to be able to obtain the corresponding permission.
MACHU PICCHU PHOTO GALLERY
- Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu between heaven
and earth - Inca Trail
- Hiram Bingham Deluxe Train
- Orchids in Machu Picchu # 1
- Orchids in Machu Picchu # 2
- Orchids in Machu Picchu # 3
- Orchids in Machu Picchu # 4
MACHU PICCHU TRAVEL GUIDE - SEE ALSO:
- Machu Picchu Travel Guide
- Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu Inca City
- Machu Picchu new 7 Wonders
- Inca Trail to Machu Picchu