Can You Hike From Aguas Calientes To Machu Picchu?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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You can trek from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu all year round

. During the wet season (November – April) there is a higher chance of heavy rainfall and the trail and ladders may become slippery and more challenging to traverse.

Which trail is best for Machu Picchu?

  • Huayna Picchu. Huayna Picchu is the shark-fin of a peak that stands immediately behind Machu Picchu. …
  • Machu Picchu Mountain.
  • Classic Inca Trail. The Inca Trail is possibly the most famous trekking path on Earth. …
  • Salkantay Trail.
  • Vilcabamba Traverse.

How do you get from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu?

Routes to get to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes

Machu Picchu is reached through the Hiram Bingham road in 2 different ways:

A trip by bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu that lasts approximately 30 minutes

. A short walk from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu with a duration of 2 hours approximately.

Can a beginner hike Machu Picchu?

Beginner hikers, or sightseers who just want to get to Machu Picchu the easiest and fastest way possible,

can take a train from Cusco, Urubamba or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo

. From there, the hike to Machu Picchu takes about an hour and a half.

How do I get from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes?

The best way to get from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes Station without a car is to

train which takes 1h 34m and costs $70

. How long does it take to get from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes Station? The train from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu takes 1h 30m including transfers and departs hourly.

How long does it take to hike up to Machu Picchu?

How long does it take to hike to Machu Picchu? There are a number of trekking routes along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. However, the Classic Inca Trail route is a 3 to 5 day hike, and on average, it takes

4 days and 3 nights

to reach Machu Picchu.

How long does the bus take from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu?

The shuttle bus operates from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and the ride takes about

35 – 40 minutes

. The main bus stop in Aguas Calientes is located on Avenida Hermoas Ayer (see map at the bottom of this page), close to the train station and within a 5 minutes’ walk of any tourist hotel in the village.

How long is the ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu?

The bus trip from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu is only 10 kilometers long and lasts approximately

30 minutes

. The return leg from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes lasts approximately 25 minutes.

How do I get to Ollantaytambo?

  1. To travel this route you must take the buses on Puputi S / N street in Cusco. …
  2. After Calca, you should take a car to the town of Urubamba (30 minutes).
  3. Finally, you must board a bus from Urubamba to the town of Ollantaytambo (30 minutes).

Can you still hike Machu Picchu?


Hikers are now permitted to hike into Machu Picchu

and go right to the Guard House overlooking the entire ancient city. It’s been closed off since covid and visitors from the main entrance are not permitted access. Inca Trail hikers have exclusive access on the day they hike in to Machu Picchu.

Can you hike Machu Picchu without a guide?

  • Although you do not need a ticket to hire a guide, you should know that the guide service is mandatory in Machu Picchu.
  • You can book a tour guide with an online tourism agency. …
  • Another option is to hire one at the same entrance to Machu Picchu.

Can you hike Machu Picchu a day?

The 1 day Inca Trail Machu Picchu is a 12km (7.5 miles) hike through the Andes in the Cusco region. The maximum altitude reached is 2700mt. In preparation:

try walking 15kms/ 9 miles in a day

or working out in the months leading up to the trek. It is also important to be well acclimatized to the altitude.

What is the shortest hike to Machu Picchu?

Difficulty First section is a steady ascent on a good path; after Wiñaywayna the trail undulates, sometimes steeply. Acclimatization 1 – 2 Days en Cusco Total Distance

13 km / 8,08 miles
Aproximate Walking Time Day 02: 6 – 7 hours Maximum Altitude 2,650 m / 8,69 ft

Can you hike Inca Trail alone?

It’s Official:

You Can’t Hike the Classic Inca Trail Without a Guide

. The official Inca Trail regulations, as laid down by Peru’s Ministry of Tourism (MINCETUR), state that anyone walking the trail must be accompanied by an officially registered tour guide in an organized group. This has been the case since 2001.

Is Machu Picchu strenuous?


As long as you are taking the bus up to Machu Picchu, the tour of the actual site is as strenuous as you choose to make it

. If you climb all the way up the uneven stone steps to overlook the ruins, it is quite a bit more strenuous than walking among the ruins.

Is Ollantaytambo worth visiting?

It’s not as well known as the spectacular ancient city of Machu Picchu, but nonetheless

worth visiting for those who want to learn more about the Inca Empire

. The ruins, perched atop of nearby hills, give silent testimony of once advanced and highly organized civilization.

Can you walk from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes?

Ready? The cheapest way is to

walk 28 kilometres alongside the rail tracks from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes

, the town at the foot of Machu Picchu, where you’ll then need to spend the night.

How do I get from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu?

If you are not hiking the Inca Trail, the best way to get to Machu Picchu is

by the Train

. The train ride from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu is 1 hour and 50 minutes. There are two major train companies that run this route: PeruRail and Incarail. Both offer similar services.

Why is Machu Picchu so special?

More than 7,000 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains, Machu Picchu is the most visited tourist destination in Peru. A symbol of the Incan Empire and built around 1450AD, Machu Picchu was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.

Is hiking Machu Picchu worth it?

The Classic Inca Trail Route to Machu Picchu is

definitely worth it

, it is considered one of the greatest adventure experiences on the planet. There are very few trails where you pass 500 year old archeological treasures while also hiking among some of the most beautiful mountains on earth.

How long is the train ride from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu?

The train ride from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu has a maximum duration of

2 hours

. The final destination is the Aguas Calientes station.

How far do you have to walk to get to Machu Picchu?

The distances involved in hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Pichu are not that great. The entire 4-day trail hike is only

25 miles (40 km)

. However, the altitude, which at it’s highest point is 13,776 ft or 4200m, can cause problems even for the strongest hikers.

How much is the bus ride to Machu Picchu?

Aguas Calientes bus ticket – Machu Picchu Price Rates 2018 – 2019 Round trip Round trip
Foreign adult


$ 24


$ 12
Foreign child $ 12 $ 7 Adult Peru $ 15 $ 8

What is the fastest way to get to Machu Picchu?

The fastest and most recommended way to get to the town of Machu Picchu (or Aguas Calientes) is

by train from the stations of Poroy and Ollantaytambo

. If you are in Cusco, it is best to take a taxi to Poroy (30 minutes from the city).

How do you get to Aguas Calientes Peru?


Train Service

Most travelers arrive at Aguas Calientes via a comfortable train ride through stunning Andean scenery. Routes range from 3.5+ hours from Cusco and 1.5+ hours from the Sacred Valley. For many passengers, the scenic train to Machu Picchu and pleasant onboard entertainment are highlights of their trip.

Can you take a bus to the top of Machu Picchu?

Take the Bus From Aguas Calientes. You can walk up to Machu Picchu, but it will take one to two hours and it’s extremely steep.

The bus ride to the top takes about 20 minutes

and you can purchase your tickets in Aguas Calientes at the bus stand the night before.

Can you helicopter into Machu Picchu?

Specifically, the noise produced by helicopter rotors is considered detrimental to some 50 species whose habitat includes Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, and Inca Trail home.

Helicopters are not permitted to fly within the 125 square mile area surrounding Peru’s most popular Inca site

.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.