The town of Santa Teresa is one of the lesser-known places for tourists visiting Cusco, Peru. This town offers the cheapest route to Machu Picchu, a short, two-hour hike filled with adventures and a wide variety of plants and animals. A great alternative to the traditional train ride, learn more about this route and add it to your itinerary.

• These are the only 3 ways to get to Machu Picchu
• Where is the town of Santa Teresa?
• What to do in Santa Teresa?
• How to get to Machu Picchu via Santa Teresa?
• How much does it cost to get to Machu Picchu via Santa Teresa?
• What is the hike from Hidroeléctrica to Machu Picchu town like?
• Frequently Asked Questions

Civic square of the Santa Teresa district

The Santa Teresa route is the cheapest and least-traveled route to Machu Picchu. You can do it on your own or on an organized tour; the path is well marked and you’ll find yourself surrounded by unforgettable landscapes. In Santa Teresa, you can also take advantage of your time to visit the popular Cocalmayo hot springs.

These are the only 3 ways to get to Machu Picchu

If you want to visit Machu Picchu, you don’t necessarily have to choose the Inca Trail or the traditional train route. There’s also an alternative route via Hidroeléctrica.

• Inca Trail – This route crosses nearly 40 kilometers of ancient Inca trails until reaching Machu Picchu, after a four-day hike. You must purchase a tour (four months in advance) to take part in this adventure. During the journey, you’ll discover more of Cusco’s jungle region, along with stunning landscapes filled with vegetation.

  Nights are spent in camps and near archaeological sites that can only be explored along this route. The Inca Trail is considered one of the best hikes in the world. It can be very demanding, but the experience will be unforgettable.

• Train Route – This route connects Cusco with the town of Aguas Calientes, located at the foot of Machu Picchu. It usually starts in the town of Ollantaytambo. However, there are train services that depart from Cusco itself. This is the most common way to get to Machu Picchu due to its safety and speed.

  Train tickets should be purchased at least a month in advance, although it’s also possible to find them a few days before your visit. The route is very scenic, so it’s recommended to travel during the day to enjoy the unique views of the mountains and the Urubamba River.

• Alternative Hydroelectric Route – This route begins with a long bus ride (5 hours) to the town of Santa Teresa. From here, you’ll follow a short path to the Hydroelectric Station, where the hike begins. The route runs alongside the train tracks and through dense vegetation, where you can learn more about the biodiversity surrounding Machu Picchu.

  After a two-hour hike (gently hiked with no steep sections), we’ll arrive in the town of Aguas Calientes, from where we reach Machu Picchu. The entire route takes approximately eight hours; it’s the longest option, but also the cheapest.

Classic photo of a family in Machu Picchu

Where is the town of Santa Teresa?

• The town of Santa Teresa is located at the edge of the Cusco jungle in Peru. It’s famous for being a must-see if you’re taking the alternative route to Machu Picchu via the hydroelectric station.
• This place is located in the Province of La Convención (Cusco), approximately 30 kilometers from Machu Picchu.
• Starting from the city of Cusco, the town of Santa Teresa is 221 kilometers away (by road), usually the journey takes 5 hours.
• The hydroelectric station is just 25 minutes from the town of Santa Teresa, where the alternative route to Machu Picchu begins.

What to do in Santa Teresa?

• Santa Teresa is a town full of activities, mainly due to its geography, which allows for many adventure sports.
• This place is also very popular for its thermal medicinal baths, known as the ‘Cocalmayo hot springs,’ which are outdoors and surrounded by mountains.
• In addition, the town of Santa Teresa offers various tourist services, such as lodging, restaurants, bars, and camping sites.
• In Santa Teresa you can also do adventure sports such as: hiking (Hydroelectric route – Machu Picchu town), canoeing (on the Urubamba River) and zipline.

Tourists ready to do the zipline

How to get to Machu Picchu via Santa Teresa?

To reach Machu Picchu via the town of Santa Teresa, you must follow the alternative route to Machu Picchu, departing from the city of Cusco. The steps you must follow to travel with your account are as follows:

1. The trip begins in Cusco, and you’ll need to take a bus (on Antonio Lorena Avenue) to the town of Santa María. The trip takes approximately four hours.
2. Upon arriving in Santa María, take a collective taxi to the town of Santa Teresa. The journey takes approximately one hour.
3. Once in Santa Teresa, you’ll also need to take a collective taxi to the famous hydroelectric power station. The trip takes only 25 minutes. (It’s best to spend the night in San Teresa and then take this route the next morning, allowing you to visit the Cocalmayo hot springs.)
4. The hike to Aguas Calientes begins at Hidroeléctrica (approximately 2 hours). Alternatively, take a train (30 minutes). This journey is an incredible experience thanks to the landscapes and abundant flora and fauna.
5. Finally, upon arriving in Aguas Calientes, you must take a bus to Machu Picchu (30 minutes). Alternatively, you can hike up (approximately 2 hours).

This is the route to Machu Picchu via Santa Teresa

How much does it cost to get to Machu Picchu via Santa Teresa?

The alternative route to Machu Picchu via Santa Teresa and Hidroeléctrica is the cheapest way to get to Machu Picchu, costing approximately US$27 per tourist. These are the approximate costs for the alternative route to Machu Picchu:

*It can cost up to $15 if you choose to hike from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.

What is the hike from Hidroeléctrica to Machu Picchu town like?

• The route from the hydroelectric station to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town) is very simple, given that the trail is flat, without elevations, and with signs that mean a guide is not required.
• Throughout the 2-hour journey, we will be able to see the typical vegetation of the Ceja de Selva region, with many flowers, plants, and trees that will give the journey a beautiful appearance.
• The trail follows the train tracks, making it easier to follow, almost impossible to get lost. The Urubamba River will also accompany us for much of the journey.
• If we’re lucky, we might spot some of the area’s typical animals, such as parrots, monkeys, cock-of-the-rocks, tapirs, and colorful butterflies, among many others.

Tourist heading to Machu Picchu via the Hydroelectric Route

Frequently Asked Questions

• 1) How much does it cost to enter the Santa Teresa hot springs?

  Entrance to the Cocalmayo hot springs in Santa Teresa costs 10 Peruvian soles (3 USD) for foreign tourists.

• 2) At what altitude is the town of Santa Teresa?

  The town of Santa Teresa is at 1,550 meters above sea level (5,085 ft).

• 3) What is the weather like in Santa Teresa?

  Santa Teresa has a tropical climate that ranges from 11°C (52°F) to 28°C (82°F). The rainy season runs from November to April, and the dry season (with little rain) runs from May to October.

• 4) How much does a train ticket from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes cost?

  The train ticket from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes costs approximately US$30 per person. However, most tourists choose to walk this 10-kilometer stretch.

• 5) Where to sleep in Santa Teresa?

  The town of Santa Teresa offers several accommodation options, ranging from one to three stars. Another good option is to choose an affordable campsite where you can relax in the fresh air.

• 6) When is the best time to visit Santa Teresa?

  The dry season (from April to October) is the best time to visit the town of Santa Teresa. The months of May, June, and July are particularly hot and dry, making them ideal for sports and hiking.

• 7) What should I bring if I travel to Machu Picchu via the Santa Teresa route?

  If you choose to reach Machu Picchu via the Santa Teresa route, don’t forget to bring a hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, hiking shoes, swimwear, a towel, light clothing, a poncho in case of rain, and mineral water.

• 8) Can I go to Machu Picchu via the Santa Teresa route through a tour?

  Yes. There are several tours that offer to take tourists to Machu Picchu via the alternative route through Santa Teresa. You can book one of these services online or in Cusco itself.

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu

By: Juan M.

“Unmissable and indescribable“

“Excellent. It is impossible to describe. You have to be there at least once in your life. We went by Santa Maria and although the trip is demanding, it is beautiful and it goes well if you organize it well (if you go on your own). I recommend going up as early as possible, bring water and keep in mind that there are no bathrooms inside.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, August 25, 2025