A trip to Peru represents an adventure in which we all must embark at least once in our lives. Thanks to its size and geographic location, this country has impressive regions to explore: coasts, valleys surrounded by coppery mountains, huge deserts and a thick Amazon rainforest. However, what will always be at the center of a Peru trip, crowning the golden scepter that supports this destination, is Machu Picchu .
Currently, the lost city of the Incas receives approximately one million tourists per year. This is no surprise. From the moment you hear “ tour of Machu Picchu “, you can’t help but feel a vibration on your skin. This feeling continues to grow along the path that you must follow, which resembles a treasure hunt, to reach the citadel.
If you are planning a visit to the heart of the Inca civilization, read on! In this blog, we present you in detail what a tour of Machu Picchu is like with Metrojourneys. In addition, here you will find the answers to the doubts you may have about this fascinating trip.
Generally, what many people do not know about Machu Picchu is how complex it is to get there; however, this is one of the greatest charms of the trip. Your adventure begins in Cusco , the ancient capital of the Inca empire. This charming city, whose tile roofs blend in with the rich reddish color of the mountains and hills that surround it, will welcome you at 3,400 meters above sea level.
Cusco is also the city you must fly to to enter Machu Picchu. However, for logistical reasons, you will not be able to enter the citadel on the same day as your inbound flight. Remember that the trip can be strenuous due to the hours of flight, height and distances that you must travel. Because of this, what we do at Metrojourneys is lead our guests to the impressive red carpet that leads to Machu Picchu: the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Information for travelers: In Cusco, you can also find a train station. In the same way, 35 minutes from the city, you can find a station in the Poroy district. If you want to take your train at these stations, the trip to the town of Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes) will last approximately 4 hours one way and 4 hours back.
Immediately after arriving in Cusco, we will descend to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. At Metrojourneys we do this for two reasons:
In the Sacred Valley, which will slowly open before your eyes revealing majestic mountains and snow-capped peaks, you will be transferred to the picturesque district of Urubamba, where your accommodation is located.
Throughout your journey through the valley, depending on the tour and the number of days you choose for this journey, you will be able to discover some of the most impressive jewels of this natural corridor , for example: the fortress of Ollantaytambo, the Moray crop acclimatization center, the colorful Pisac market, the Maras salt mines, among others.
Get ready! Today will be the day you will discover Machu Picchu! After having breakfast at your hotel, our staff will be waiting for you to transfer you, in a short 30-minute trip, to the town of Ollantaytambo . Here you can board your train at the station. Depending on the company you choose when booking your package with us and the category of wagon in which you want to travel, you will be able to enjoy some benefits on board the train. Don’t forget to talk to your destination expert about the options you have to embark on this journey!
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Information for travelers: Remember that most trains have a strict restriction on the weight and size of the luggage that you can carry with you in the car. In case you are going to stay in the town of Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes) and you must carry all your luggage, your tour operator can arrange the transport of your suitcases in a freight car.
This trip, with an average duration of 1 hour and 40 minutes , will take you along the impressive Urubamba River. This river, which almost entirely surrounds the citadel of Machu Picchu like a silver belt, originates in the Puno region and flows into the Amazon River basin. From the window of your train, on clear days, you can also witness the fascinating spectacle presented by the snowy Verónica!
The Nevado Verónica, also known as Apu Wakaywillque or Eternal Father, has a height of 5,682 meters above sea level.
As your train progresses, you will be able to appreciate how the vegetation and the climate change progressively. Machu Picchu is located at the transition point between the sierra region and the high jungle of Peru; This means that, once you have arrived at the station in the town of Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes), you will find a pleasant humid and warm temperature . Speaking of the station, being the only one in the whole town and the arrival point of all the train companies, it is usually a bit busy. Keep your belongings safe!
As you exit the station, you will walk through a picturesque handicraft market. Our recommendation is that you do not make any purchases at this time. Remember that your luggage for your tour of Machu Picchu should be as light as possible! In addition, you will have time to walk and acquire souvenirs when you return to the town.
When you leave the market, you will walk for a few minutes until you reach the bus stop . Here, you will have to line up with the rest of the people who travel to the citadel of Machu Picchu. If you want to ascend walking, you can do it; however, this involves climbing approximately 2,000 steps. Although it is true that the path is beautiful, our recommendation is that you save your energy to explore the citadel itself.
After a short wait, you will board the bus that will take you through a landscape full of vegetation. The excitement keeps building as you go on this 20 minute tour! In no time, you will be in front of one of the 7 wonders of the modern world. Along the way, you will see a mountain that will seem strangely familiar to you. Like a green monument in the middle of this sanctuary, the Huayna Picchu mountain will welcome you to the citadel.
When you arrive at the disembarkation point, you will be able to find a small place to eat a sandwich or buy water, lockers to store your belongings and toilet services. Remember that you cannot enter Machu Picchu with food and that, inside the complex, there are no bathrooms. Take advantage of this moment to take care of your needs before starting your tour of Machu Picchu!
Once at the entrance, you must present your ticket and passport to enter.
Information for travelers: At the entrance of the complex you can also find the Belmond Sactuary Lodge hotel. If you want to include this accommodation in your package, talk to your destination expert. This accommodation is ideal if you are going to re-enter the next day.
Once you pass the controls, you will start the final leg towards the citadel. Together with your guide, you will ascend a stone staircase amidst thick vegetation. At this point, you still won’t be able to see the citadel; but you will do it in a few minutes. It is very important that, when making this ascent, you take it easy . If you are not used to the altitude, it is very likely that, at 2,400 meters above sea level, you can feel a bit agitated and tired.
Finally, after completing this short tour, Machu Picchu will appear before your eyes as a beautiful mirage. However, the humid breeze and the sounds of the birds in the distance will remind you that you have made it. You are in front of the lost city of the Inca empire !
Throughout your stay in the sanctuary, you will find two main circuits , some complementary routes and a large number of sites of interest such as the Inca’s palace, the guardian’s house, the temple of the three windows. , the sundial, among others. In addition, you will also have access to impressive viewpoints from which you can admire the citadel of Machu Picchu. If you want more information about the circuits available for visitors, keep reading! In our frequently asked questions blog you can find the answer you are looking for.
Take your time to explore the citadel of Machu Picchu, from the moment of your arrival, specified in the entrance ticket, you will have 4 hours to enjoy this experience. It is also very important that you remember that once you leave the complex, you will no longer be able to enter the same day.
Information for travelers: An additional part of the experience in Machu Picchu are the hikes to the summit of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu. The entrance to both places is done from the citadel; however, its access is restricted and limited to people who have purchased tickets in advance.
Once you have exited the citadel, you will end up at the entrance to the sanctuary. It is here where you will have to undertake the journey back to the town of Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes). Depending on the Metrojourneys package you have chosen, you can enjoy a delicious buffet lunch at the Tinkuy restaurant at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge hotel. If this is not the case, you will find the line to board the return buses very close to the exit. This can sometimes be quite long, with an average wait of 20 to 40 minutes.
Once you’ve boarded the bus back, relax and enjoy the scenery; You are 20 minutes from town! From here, depending on your accommodation options, you will be transferred to your accommodation in the town of Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes) or to the bus stop so that you can go to the station and board your train back to Sacred Valley or Cusco.
Information for travelers: When choosing a Metrojourneys package, you will have the company of a guide at all times, so do not worry about your transfers by train and bus!
Finally, the only thing we can say that traveling is the best food we can offer to our soul. The memory of how we feel when we arrive in a new country (especially in South America); see how the light, which is different in every part of the world, falls on the landscape; breathing deeply, closing your eyes and feeling how the world moves around will always be the spark that reactivates hunger, that desire to keep walking and discovering new paths.
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