How did we get to Machu Picchu? All the details.

Going to Machu Picchu has been my dream for many years.

The trip there has been long. After 10 hours on an overnight bus from Antofagasta in Chile to the border with Peru, we had to take a taxi to cross the border (around $4) from Arica to the first town on the south of Peru- Tacna. We did not stay there at all (although some people recommend) since the impatience to reach one of the most popular UNESCO sites as soon as possible was much stronger… And the way was still long.

Traveling by bus in Peru

From Tacna we took a bus to Arequipa. The ride lasted maybe around 7 hours, but it was definitely worth it. You can read about this beautiful city here. We stayed there for one day and headed towards east. We arrived to Cuzco, where we stayed for a day, then to Aquas Calientes- a town at the feet of Machu Picchu. We arrived there a day before our hike to the ruins, so the next morning we can hike there as early as possible. After two days to Machu Picchu experience we got back to Cuzco for a couple of more days.

Traveling by buses is a nice option for admiring picturesque landscapes. We traveled by local buses, not the tourist ones. They are much slower and much less comfortable, but where else inside the bus I would be able to bus roast meat and boiled potatoes garnished with sauce?

You can search for bus options here. 

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Favourite travel resources:

• Booking.com for searching best prices on accommodation.
• Discover Cars is a great website as they search both local and international car hire services, so you can choose the best deal for yourself. Make sure though, that the company has a good reputation and reviews.
• Get Your Guide is my place to go for searching and booking tours and excursions, especially when I travel solo.
• World Nomads travel insurance. I like them because they have quite extensive coverage of different activities.
• Jack’s Flight Club is a service that can save you hundreds of dollars on flights, it works especially well in Europe.
• Trivago where you can search and save on hotels.
• Go City is a perfect site for booking bucket list experiences and attractions all in one to avoid paying for multiple tickets. Easy and saves money.
• Trip Advisor– amazing for good quality recommendations.
• Skyscanner is a perfect website for searching flight routes and comparing prices.

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Taking a train from Cuzco to Machu Picchu

Now…the ride itself from Cuzco to Aquas Calientes (more about that later) is a treat! Not a very cheap one, which is a bit disappointing. The whole Machu Picchu experience is rather pricey. The train operated by Perurail has a few price options depending on how luxuriously you want to  travel. One way we travel with the cheapest train (around $65 per person each way) and went back to Cuzco paying a little bit extra and the difference in the ride was tremendous. We got a little show, including fashion on the train and some excellent food.

I still think though that the price is too high, especially that we had a bus replacement for a big part of the trip. Because of that we missed some beautiful landscapes we would have seen from the train. If you are interested to book your trip with an agency, I can highly recommend to you Contiki that organizes amazing trips for young people and often has some great offers.

An early wake up call and a hike to the ruins. I was not feeling very well and the hike was as twice as hard for me. I’m telling you guys, nothing pleasant to go trekking up a steep hill with a fever and flu and effects of high altitude. I really recommend carrying a bottle of water with you and if you want to save some money on buying water on your travels and be safe with tap water, this LifeStraw filter bottle is a great investment.

And I highly recommend you to know a bit about high altitude sickness before you go. I gathered all my tips here. 

This was a view when the clouds decided to finally show us a little bit of the landscape. Before that it was just walking in the clouds. This was probably one of my favourite views. The feeling of walking surrounded by those magnificent mountains cannot be described. No wonder that the city was not discovered for so long.

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See also: 

What is worth knowing before your trip to Machu Picchu?

Best restaurants in Peru for the ultimate foodie experience

Getting high? 8 tips how to survive high altitude sickness

Copacabana, Lake Titicaca and mixed feelings.

10 top places in South America that should be on your bucket list.

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Get there early and wait

Exploring Machu Picchu city before we were able to see the complete beauty and details.

Early in the morning there were few people visiting. We hiked up, even higher to see the ruins from a distance. When we got back, the city was full of tourists.

Waiting for the sky to clear a little bit. We did wait for long…

And when the patience paid off… We got this!

 

Many poses, of course!

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Mindful moment: To the roots.

We often travel as tourists, quickly ticking off the boxes of all seen attractions. This makes traveling mindless and without purpose. We can easily change that by updating our mindset. Sit for a moment in a new place and by using your eyes and all other senses, try to connect with the environment. Think of its history. Try to imagine the life there before it all became a touristic attraction. Imagine the hard work people put into creating this place. Think of their lives, their story, the times they lived in. Don’t just look at the place as a perfect postcard, but put life in it and people’s emotions, because it is so much more than just a bunch of stones.

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The stoned city is not randomly build. There is a lot of engineering involved.

Thank you for visiting, lovely people. Do you have any dream destinations you want to go to? Have you been to one? Please share it with, we love being inspired!

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Disclaimer: This posts includes some affiliate links for which I get little cash at no cost for you, which helps me to travel and share the stories with you. I only share my favourites with you that I do or would use myself.

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