![\"How](\"https:\/\/www.cuscojourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Machupicchu_Tourists.jpg\")
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How to Get to Machu Picchu considered as one of the wonders of the world, Machu Picchu<\/strong> is a mystical ancient city in Peru that attracts people from far and wide to go discover the ancient Incan way of life.<\/span><\/p>\n Most people visiting Peru<\/strong> fly into Peru\u2019s capital city, Lima, a city well worth a visit in its own right. However, Machu Picchu is best explored using Cusco as a base. From Lima, it\u2019s just a short flight to Cusco, where you can spend a few days acclimatising to the altitude and exploring the old city\u2019s beautiful architecture and food scene.\u00a0There are several different ways you can get to Machu Picchu from Cusco, and it totally depends on your preferences and the amount of time you have. The most common ways are:<\/span><\/p>\n Below, our experts weigh in on the different ways to get to Machu Picchu.<\/span><\/p>\n Hiking to Machu Picchu<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Inca Trail Tours\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The Inca Trail<\/strong> is an extremely popular hike, and the Peruvian government issues a limited number of daily permits for hikers, so it\u2019s best to book far in advance if you want to do it. Whether you want to hike it privately or with a group, stay in tents or lodges, you have several options. The four-day trek, which is the longest option, takes you through cloud forest, ruins and jungles \u2013 it really is an incredible experience and well worth the effort.<\/span><\/p>\n Lares Trail to Machu Picchu<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n On your Lares hike<\/strong>, you\u2019ll pass by waterfalls, glacial lakes and snowy peaks, crossing several high passes up to 4,200m. You can camp or stay in lodges in the indigenous villages you pass through, giving you the chance to meet and chat with lots of indigenous people (direct descendants of Incans) as they go about their lives. This hike gives you everything the Inca Trail does, but with fewer crowds.<\/span><\/p>\n Salkantay Trail<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n If you take the full seven-day route, the first two days of the hike are usually spent acclimatising, surrounded by Inca ruins<\/strong>. Reaching highest point on third day, you\u2019ll then descend along the Salkantay River towards Machu Picchu. You get your first glimpse of the ancient citadel from afar, but you of course end your trek at the site itself. <\/span><\/p>\n Trains to Machu Picchu<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Travellers often take an afternoon train and stay the night in Aguas Calientes, taking the early morning bus up to Machu Picchu to see it at sunrise. However, it\u2019s also possible to catch an early morning train and return to Cusco on the last train of the day, making it a day trip. Most people see Machu Picchu in the morning, so it can be a bit quieter if you do the afternoon tour. However, both options have their upsides, and neither option is better than the other.<\/span><\/p>\n Hiram Bingham<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Vistadome<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n
![\"Inca](\"https:\/\/www.cuscojourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/inca-trail-to-machu-picchu-03.jpg\")
Allowing hikers to follow in the footsteps of the Incans, the Inca Trail is the quintessential way to get yourself to Machu Picchu. Hiking through challenging, yet spectacular terrain, you\u2019ll pass numerous archaeological sites, all nestled among the mystical mountains. The<\/span> Inca Trail hike<\/strong><\/a> takes four nights, but people with less time can do a shorter leg of it, hiking for only two or three days. As expected, the hike ends at <\/span>Machu Picchu<\/strong>, just in time to see the sunrise. There\u2019s even a one-day leg of the trail, which is a nice option for people who want to hike a part of the trail without doing any camping.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Lares](\"https:\/\/www.cuscojourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/ancascocha-trail-4days.jpg\")
Also known as the Quechua trek<\/strong>, The Lares trail is another spectacular, yet lesser known, Trek to Machu Picchu<\/strong><\/a>. Hikers journey through the Lares Valley in southern Cusco, ending at Machu Picchu. Less crowded than the Inca trail, this hike is usually done in three nights, and you spend your days passing through remote Andean communities in the mountains<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Salkantay](\"https:\/\/www.cuscojourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/salkantay-2.jpg\")
The Salkantay Trail<\/strong> is another hiking route from Mollepata (Cusco) to Machu Picchu, crossing the pass of 6,271 meter glacier-capped Mount Salkantay (also known as \u2018savage mountain\u2019 in Quechua), and following a slightly more remote path than the Inca Trail does. Passing through jungle and mountains and going around the glacier capped Mount Salkantay, this Salkantay hike is truly spectacular. The terrain offers a lot \u2013 glacier mountain peaks, lush vegetation, beautiful topography and historical Incan sites. The Salkantay Trail<\/strong><\/a> is usually done in seven days, but it can be done in four or fewer if you\u2019re pressed for time.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Trains](\"https:\/\/www.cuscojourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/5e9eead7278d0a634979fab3_belmond-hiram-bingham.jpg\")
For those after a more leisurely journey to the amazing citadel, the easiest way to get to Machu Picchu<\/strong> is by taking the train to Aguas Calientes<\/strong>. The journey time is about 3.5 hours each way, but it\u2019s a very comfortable, even luxurious, way to travel.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Hiram](\"https:\/\/www.cuscojourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/hiram-bingham-train-machu-picchu.jpg\")
The Hiram Bingham train<\/strong><\/a> is the most stylish way to traverse the Peruvian landscape up to Machu Picchu. Leaving from Poroy station, just outside Cusco, the blue and gold painted train takes you to Aguas Calientes in just over three hours. The train offers stylish decor, a dedicated observation car, delicious food and a bar car that often has live music on the way back \u2013 what more could you want?<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Vistadome](\"https:\/\/www.cuscojourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/AFA_8897-min-1-scaled.jpg\")
The Vistadome train<\/strong> is another excellent way to travel to Machu Picchu<\/strong><\/a>. Wide glass windows built into the roof and sides of the carriage offer unrivalled views of your surroundings as you approach Machu Picchu<\/strong>, creating an exciting build-up throughout your journey. The train itself is contemporary and comfortable, and on the return leg, you\u2019ll be treated to live traditional dance performances to keep you entertained.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
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