Machu Picchu is one of the wonders of the modern world. Everyone knows it, and more or less, it is on everyone’s bucket list. While believed to be ancient, the city is younger than you think. Many scholars believe Machu Picchu was constructed around 1450 AD under the command of Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui. Pachacuti ruled the Inca Empire between 1438 and 1471, a millennia after the Roman Empire and almost a century before the Spaniard conquistadors arrived in Peru. 

Although the Spaniards introduced their language in the 16th century, many of the Andean people of Peru still speak Quechua today. Quechua is the language the Inca spoke and is the source of many names of places throughout the country. A prime example of this is Machu Picchu. “Machu” means Old while “Picchu” means Mountain.

The Inca were adept engineers who built their empire without using mortars. They were so good that many people believe that it was aliens that built Machu Picchu. Although interesting, it is solely the result of the Inca’s intellect. They carved the stones in a way that they fit precisely when placed on top of each other. So precise that you can’t even slide a piece of paper between them!

The city was inhabited for about 80 years before seemingly being abandoned. This was due to the diseases the Spanish spread during the conquest. You know, every post that I have made has just shown the atrocities of the Spanish Empire. They could at least say sorry even if it’s a few centuries late. 

Anyway, Machu Picchu is often called “The Lost City” but it wasn’t. The locals who lived in the area were well aware of the city before the professor of Yale, Hiram Bingham “rediscovered” the “forgotten” city in 1912. Machu Picchu was officially declared a Peruvian Historic Sanctuary in 1982 and a UNESCO World Heritage Sight the following year. 

Machu Picchu is a beautiful place and a must-see before you kick the can. Finding a way to see the wonder can be overwhelming and can seem impossible to visit without breaking the bank. Lucky for you, I will break down the different ways to see Machu Picchu based on your budget.

Tours to Choose & Their Price:

There are a few different options for seeing Machu Picchu depending on your preferences and budget. The three options are the Inca trail, the Incarail or Perurail train, and the Hydroelectric trail. The three options have different levels of price and also different levels of energy needed to complete them. The one thing that stays the same is the entrance fee to the site. Tickets cost around $45 to $75 depending on your age, occupation, and site that you purchase. Prices for everything else vary.  

The Inca Trail

The Most expensive and tiring option is the Inca Trail. The Inca Trail is a path that was used by the Incas centuries ago, to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu. The journey lasts about 4 days and 3 nights. It is the most tiring because you have to walk the entire route and some days can hike for up to 10 hours in one day. Because of the amount of time and necessities, it is also the most expensive option. You will need clothes, food, tents, and all that Bear Grylls-type stuff. The prices range anywhere from $700 up to $1,600 and must be booked months in advance due to its popularity. So if you aren’t a fan of long hikes, sleeping in the wilderness, and also don’t want to empty your bank, then maybe this isn’t the best choice for you. This is an extreme option for those who are completely crazy athletes. AKA not us!

The Incarail or Perurail

Next, we have the Incarail or Perurail option. This is a train that goes from Cusco to Aguas Calientes (the town of Machu Picchu). The two trains cost somewhere between $40 to $95 depending on nationality, season, and availability.  The train takes roughly 3 hours and 30 minutes from Cusco to reach Machu Picchu Pueblo. From there, it is probably best to get somewhere to sleep, so you can get to Machu Picchu early the next day. From Aguas Calientes to the ruins, you can take a 30-minute bus for $12 or walk 2 hours up the path. This option can be the least tiring but is the second most expensive option. After the ruins, you will take the bus or walk back to catch the train to Cusco. This route would be ideal if it wasn’t too pricey.

The Hydroelectric route

The final option, and the one we chose, is the Hydroelectric route. This route is 2 days long and has transportation to the hydroelectric station, which is 6 hours both ways. From there you walk along the tracks until you reach Aguas Calientes. Then you can check into a hostel or accommodation and rest because early the next morning, you will need to trek to Machu Picchu. The walk from the Pueblo, up the tiring stairs to the ruins, is about 1.5 to 2 hours. You will enjoy the sight of the ancient ruins for some time. Once finished you will have to walk down the stairs and then again across the tracks to catch your transport back to the hydroelectric station.  

Machu Picchu for budget travelers:

If you didn’t catch on, we chose the hydroelectric route. This option was the cheapest and most ideal for us. Some tours have this route or you can book everything independently like we did. The tours involve quite a lot like, 3 meals, transport, the entrance ticket and accommodation. This comes out to around $290 for two people. It is a great bundle but too expensive for us still! 

We ended up booking things separately which were transport, our accommodation, and the entrance ticket. The price for two was only around $190, so it was a great choice for us! This was the cheapest option that we were able to find. $30/person for the ride, the Airbnb cost around $15, and the entrance tickets were $45/person. Maybe if you look farther in advance, that may help. We also came during the rainiest and slowest month, which made it less crowded and more affordable! Now read along as I give a run-through of our adventure. If you get tired of reading the journey, just know it was more tiring to do it. 

Day One: Cusco to Hidroelectrica- Buses, Hikes, & the Road to Machu Picchu:

Our morning began very early. We crawled out of bed at 4:30 in the morning. This ensured that we had time to slowly get ready and finish packing our snacks and meals for the next two days. We were expected to meet at Plaza De Armas by 6:30 so we could leave at 6:45. We marched into this van with a bunch of seats and had about 15 people total. The bus began driving and we were on our way. 

After about an hour or so, we pulled off the main road into this area that had benches, and a restaurant/store building. Here you are given the chance to purchase snacks, sandwiches, breakfast, or coffee. It’s also a perfect chance to use the bathroom if you need. Some animals made the 30-minute stop go by so quickly. The cat we encountered was so friendly and crawled on Harry’s leg when he gave it a nice scratch. 

Throughout the 6-hour journey to the hydroelectric station, there is a total of two stops to use the restroom and get food. After a certain point, the roads get narrow and the ride gets bumpy. When you arrive at the station at roughly 13:00, you either stay for lunch if it is included or you can begin the trek. You have to cross the bridge and check in at an office by writing your name, passport number, and the city you are coming from. Once that is said and done then the fun part begins. 

Well, that was sarcasm. It was indeed not fun. The route takes about 2.5 hours to walk. Or 3 if you are out of shape like we are. It is a breeze if you like hikes but can feel like torture if you don’t. Along the route, there are restaurants and stores to purchase drinks and food if you need a break. We however did not do this. The path was very green and beautiful and you could hear the bugs and birds sing in a harmonious chorus. You have to walk over bridges and tracks, so if you have a fear of heights just be cautious. Like Donkey said in Shrek, “Don’t look down!”

The pain will slowly set in as time passes, but if you are lucky like we were, then a few dogs will accompany you for part of the way. It felt like season 4 of The Walking Dead as we walked along the tracks heading to our Terminus. Well, not really, since our destination was not home to a group of cannibals. 

After our 3-hour trek, we finally reached Aguas Calients. Nearly in tears, we rushed to a bench to recover. The town has a lot to offer like restaurants, cafes, bars, stores, and much more. We didn’t check it out too much since we were exhausted and just found our Airbnb, which was 10 minutes away. Once checked in we showered, ate, and then collapsed into bed, ready for the adventure ahead of us. 

Day Two: Lost in Time – Exploring the Majestic Machu Picchu:

At the crack of dawn, we had to struggle out of bed. Sore from the day before, we grimaced in pain as we prepared for the hike to Machu Picchu. Thankfully, the Airbnb we were staying at, left crackers, bread, and fruit at our door so that we could have breakfast. Once we inhaled our food, we were out the door into the dark streets of Aguas Calientes. The towering mountains and roaring river made the walk to the entrance a little spooky. But we reached the bridge soon enough and got our passports checked before commencing towards the first set of stairs.

A fair warning to everyone: Those stairs are your worst enemy. We were told it would take us 1.5 hours to walk up. It didn’t. It took us two since we stopped to catch our breath a few times. Sure the view was breathtaking, but so were those awful stairs. Ever heard the song “Stairway to Heaven”? Well if this is what those stairs are like, then I think I’ll take the highway to the inferno instead.

After 2 torturous hours, we reached the summit and entrance of Machu Picchu. There is a restaurant here if you want but the prices are almost as high as those stairs. The bathroom also costs money but is affordable. While we regained our energy, a kind tour guide named “Ciro” offered us a private tour. At first, he wanted s/210 but after some talking we agreed on s/150. We didn’t originally plan to have a tour, but after our journey, we were too tired to figure the circuit out ourselves.

Ciro was a kind man who was very enthusiastic about the history of the ruins. We learned so much about the life, religion, and terrain of the Incas and the land that they lived on. He told us how there was a family who was looking for land and came across the ruins of Machu Picchu and decided to set up shop there. When the white man came looking for El Dorado, the family showed him the ruins. As mentioned before, the man claimed to have “found” the “lost city” of Machu Picchu. 

It took us 2 hours to see the ruins in all of its glory. It was beautifully spiritual. You could feel the energy of the past whispering its secrets into your ears. Between the homes, temples, and terraces of their gardens, there is so much to admire about this site. There were even llamas grazing on the grass, which was beautiful.

After the tour, we were on our way back to the Hydroelectric station. Going down the stairs was a breeze and only took 1 hour. Our knees hurt with every step though. We made our way down the steps and began the walk on the tracks. This took as 3 hours back as well. Instead of feeling like the heroes of The Walking Dead, this time we felt like the zombies they battle. Coming back was very painful as we stubbed our toes, fell on our knees, and almost fell off the tracks, but with patience and hope, we made it back to the station by 13:00.

We had an hour and a half to wait before our transportation was ready to bring us back. The ride back was a little over 6 hours as there was traffic and rain. We also stopped at a store for 30 minutes. There we purchased a burger that felt like a reward after 8 hours of walking just that day. We made it back to Cusco at around 20:30. After a tiring yet accomplished journey, we struggled back to our hostel. With that, our journey came to a close.

Reflections on an Unforgettable Adventure:

After reflecting on our journey for a few days, we can say that the pain was worth the experience of seeing such a beautiful place. That being said, if we were ever to return, we would save up for the train to save time and save our legs. But like they say, no pain no gain.

Now that we have done it, we do have some tips for you!

• Stay Hydrated: The journey is beautiful but is also tiring and difficult. Having water on hand will not only refresh you but also help you. When going on long hikes, water is a must!
• GET SOME REST: The trip was long and daunting. We rested as much as we could on the ride to and from, and in our Airbnb. With all that rest, we still felt destroyed at the end. 
• Pack smart: We would recommend bringing sunscreen, sunglasses, and bug repellent. The mosquitoes out there have a vendetta against humans. Another smart thing to pack (besides water, as mentioned above) is snacks and food! The walk takes so much energy out of you. Some refreshing fruit or a small sandwich can save the day. It definitely did for us. 
• Comfortable Clothing: That’s it. Get good shoes. If you have shoes that are falling apart, you will regret it. Make sure you are wearing comfortable clothing as well. It can be cold, but walking a lot can make you hot, so make sure you have a sweatshirt you can take off if needed.
• PLAN AHEAD: Planning makes everything easier. We had looked online before but forgot all about it. Then, when the time came, we rushed and panicked. So be smart and plan it out ASAP.

With that said and done, we are coming to a close. The best part of the trip was being able to immerse ourselves in nature and the history of this worldly wonder. Ciro, our tour guide, made Machu Picchu feel more familiar and we were enchanted with the view. It will go down in the books as one of the best experiences we have had the privilege of seeing. Thank you for sticking along this far.