Machu Picchu is surely one of the most important Inca relics and one of the world’s most visited tourist sites. Every year, millions of visitors visit Machu Picchu, the enigmatic and magnificent Incan fortress in Peru. Machu Picchu is a once-in-a-lifetime event for most people, but getting there may be complex and exhausting. So how to get to top of Machu Picchu?
The easiest way to reach the ruins is via train from Cusco down the floor of the Urubamba Valley, followed by a bus to the entrance. Instead, you can choose to hike up to Machu Picchu from the Aguas Calientes station, which would take between 90 minutes and two hours.
There are other ways to reach the top of Machu Picchu. Let’s get to know various ways to reach Machu Picchu.
How to Get To Top of Machu Picchu?
There is more than one way to reach the top of Machu Picchu. Let’s have a look at them:
1) Train Way
Traveling by rail from Cusco down the Urubamba Valley floor and then by bus up to the ruins’ entrance is the most convenient option. You can then also choose to hike up to Machu Picchu from the Aguas Calientes train station, which will take anything from 90 minutes to two hours.
2) The Inca Trail
Those with more time on their hands typically choose the classic 24- or 26-mile hike, depending on which of the two trailheads they start from. This is a challenging four-day trek that may be shortened to three days or to two days if you leave the train at Kilometer 104 and take the Camino Sagrado de los Incas to Machu Picchu.
On the last morning of the trip, many groups stop at the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) to witness the dawn over Machu Picchu, but you may beat the crowds by continuing past this point and watching the light slowly fill the ruins from much closer range.
3) Six-day Salkantay Trek
The six-day Salkantay trip is a lengthier but no less breath-taking option. You can choose this path, which makes the brave trekker as pleasant as possible by substituting resorts and hotels for tents. This path will undoubtedly have fewer hikers than the conventional track.
4) The Circular Route
The last and most difficult way is a circular path that includes a bus ride from Cusco to the town of Cachora, followed by seven days of trekking that connects the majestic Inca site of Choquequirao in the Salkantay range with beautiful Machu Picchu through a succession of peaks and ruins.
This walk does, meanwhile, need a higher degree of athleticism than the other paths to Machu Picchu – not least the 1,500-meter climb up from the Apurimac River until to ‘The Cradle of Gold.’
5) Bus From Aguas Calientes
It is possible to hike up to Machu Picchu, but it will take between one and two hours and is very steep. The bus journey to the summit takes around 20 minutes, and tickets may be purchased the night before at the bus terminal in Aguas Calientes. Tickets are $12 per way and may only be purchased with a valid passport, with no exceptions.
If you elect to take the bus, you should expect to arrive around three hours before your admittance time. To come by sunrise at around 6:00 a.m., you must arrive by 3:30 a.m. and wait in line. Consider taking motion-sickness medicines if you are prone to motion sickness, as the trip is brief but quite treacherous, with several twists and turns.
How to Get To Top Of Machu Picchu By Hike?
Follow these directions to reach the pinnacle of Machu Picchu, also known as Huayna Picchu:
- Get a ticket to Machu Picchu that includes the Huayna Picchu climb. These tickets sell out rapidly and are only available for advance purchase.
- Go to the Machu Picchu entrance as soon as you can in the morning so you can start your ascent. Start your ascent of Huayna Picchu before the sun rises and the crowds arrive; the route is steep and can be difficult.
- Keep to the path that has been blazed and make your way slowly to the peak. You should wear sturdy shoes with good traction and pack enough water and food for the 1-2 hour ascent, which consists of steep steps and tight walkways.
- When you get to the summit, look out at the stunning panorama of Machu Picchu and the mountains. Before making your journey back down the mountain, you may see the ruins and temples atop Huayna Picchu.
Note: The ascent to Huayna Picchu can be physically challenging and may not be appropriate for everyone. Before tackling the climb, it is essential to contact a physician and assess one’s personal fitness level.
Bottom Line
This was all about how to get to top of Machu Picchu. So we have mentioned 5 ways to get to the top of Machu Picchu, and it includes the easiest and the hardest. It’s your choice which one to take.
The easiest alternative is to take the train from Cusco to the Urubamba Valley floor and then take a bus up to the ruins’ entrance. You can also climb up to Machu Picchu from the Aguas Calientes railway station, which takes 90 minutes to two hours.
We hope you found this article helpful & informative. Thank you for reading!