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No wonder the Spaniard colonists never found Machu Picchu five centuries later, getting there is still a challenge. If you don't want to hire a travel agency or wade through the backpacking options in popular guidebooks, considerable due diligence is required to get you to Peru then to Cusco then to Aguas Calientes, and from there up to the amazing Inca ruins. After spending literally hours online, I booked quite a satisfactory trip. To ease your trouble, here are some pointers:
GET TO PERU
Several airlines offer direct flights from the US. Since Lima is virtually the same time zone as New York, I favored the overnight LAN flight which leaves JFK at midnight and arrives in Lima at 6:45 AM. For those who have the stamina, it's possible right on arrival to connect to a flight to Cusco, and because of the weather conditions early morning flights are recommended. But Lima is an amazing and historic city with many sights to see and visit, it makes sense to spend a day or two caching up on sleep and seeing the Plaza Mayor, Cathedral, Santo Domingo Convent, world class museums, and -- surfers at the beach. Public transit into town is tricky and taxis are said to be unreliable so if you are staying, arrange with the hotel you've reserved to have a taxi waiting -- the driver will be holding up a sign showing your name. The taxi fare into town is around a standard 50 soles which recently has been around $20. Get some local cash, soles, when you land. but probably just $50-$60 The airport Global cash machines charge a fee in addition to what you pay your bank, and the currency booth exchange rates are considerably less favorable than what's available in town plus they tack on a three percent commission.
GET TO CUSCO
To avoid weather delays, early morning flights are recommended -- the earliest leave around 5 am. Service is offered by LAN and Peruvian Airlines. I found the LAN website easier to work with. Again you can choose to pause in town, but for many people Cusco's altitude may require a painful adjustment. Going on to Machu Picchu, 3000' lower than Cusco, gives you time to start acclimating before touring Cusco on your return. So it's preferable to go directly from the Cusco airport to the train bound for Aguas Calientes, the "base camp" of site visits. Be sure to allow enough time to get from the airport to the depot. Another catch: the "Cusco" station is actually in Poroy, half an hour away. Again it's helpful to have pre-arranged a taxi. Booked through Ecopackers, Antonio was waiting for me when we landed at Cusco and charged 25 soles, around $10.
GETTING TO MACHU PICCHU
When the train arrives in Aguas Caliente, you can decide to race up to the ruins, but it's recommended to spend at least one night in the village. There is extensive internet access in town and it's recommended to have your accommodations reserved. These range from backpacker hostels all over town to the impeccably modern five-star riverside Sumaq and the "jungly" Inkaterra which charge on the order of $1000 per night. Middle range options include Casa del Sol and Casa Andina but even those charge $300-$600 per night. Tickets to the site can be pre-purchased online. Without tickets, try to arrive before late afternoon leaving time to go to the tourist office off the small main square and buy your admission ticket to avoid the congestion next day at the site. Foreigners are charged $62-$71 depending on the extent of the sites visited. The purchase must be made in currency, charge cards are not accepted, and -- again, you must show your passport. Also stop at the booth selling bus tickets for the ride up to the site. That fee is an additional $19 round trip. Bus service on Mercedes Benz mini-buses is almost constant. Even though queues up and down the hill can stretch up to hundreds of people, the wait for the 20 minute ride is usually under half an hour even during the peak months of May-September before the rainy season begins.
GETTING AROUND THE SITE
Dropped by the bus at the Machu Picchu entrance you encounter a mob of tour groups and guides soliciting your attention in several languages. There are several available guidebooks, but the site is large and it's a relief to start with someone to lead you around. If you haven't arranged with a travel agency back in town and don't want to take pot luck, among potential guides is Felix Wilfredo Quispe, a 12-year veteran, second generation guide whose fee is around 150 soles, $50, for the two and a half hour tour. Even when accompanied by a guide, your passport is required for admittance.
24 May 2023
26 April 2023
31 January 2020
10 January 2020
Urb Aprovite A-16, San Jeronimo, Cusco, Perú
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Phone / WhatsApp: +51 984 763 998
+51 984 763 998