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How to get to Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu from Cusco
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Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu from Cusco

The Inca city of Machu Picchu is one of the seven wonders of the world. In addition, the Huayna Picchu mountain is one of the most amazing places within the Inca city. To visit both tourist attractions from Cusco you must follow a detailed itinerary. Know how to get to Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu from Cusco.



Machu Picchu and the Huayna Picchu mountain
Machu Picchu and the Huayna Picchu mountain

To visit Machu and Huayna Picchu from Cusco, you will need to board a bus very early, then a train and another bus until you reach the Inca city. Remember that tickets are purchased online approximately 3 months in advance.


How to get to Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu from Cusco?

  • Cusco is the city where you will have to arrive to be able to go to Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu.
  • Once in Cusco, you should go to the town of Ollantaytambo. This is the place where you will board the train to Aguas Calientes.
  • The train journey will leave you at Aguas Calientes station, at the foot of the Inca city of Machu Picchu . There you must take one of the buses that will take you to the entrance door to the Inca archaeological site.
  • Keep in mind that you cannot wait for Cusco to buy the entrance tickets. It is best to buy them online in advance.

Follow these steps to get to Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu from Cusco

1. How to get from Cusco to Ollantaytambo

  • Cusco is the best tourist destination in South America. In this city you will have to board a bus to the town of Ollantaytambo.
  • On Pavitos Street (in the Historic Center of Cusco), you can find cars, buses and minivans directly to the town of Ollantaytambo. The approximate cost is 15 Peruvian soles (5 US dollars).
  • The bus trip from Cusco to Ollantaytambo runs through the Sacred Valley of the Incas until it arrives very close to the train station. The journey takes approximately 1 hour 45 minutes.

2. How to get from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes

  • In Ollantaytambo you will have to board the train to the final station of Aguas Calientes.
  • The trains are operated by two companies: Peru Rail and Inca Rail. Both offer multiple services such as: Expedition, Vistadome, The Voyager, The 360º, etc.
  • Remember to arrive at the station, up to 30 minutes before the train departure.

3. How to get from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu

  • The bus station is just two blocks from the train station. You can walk in just 5 minutes.
  • The ticket office is right in front of the bus station. Sometimes it is necessary to queue to get a ticket and board the buses.
  • The bus trip is short. It covers a route of 10 kilometers uphill until arriving at the entrance gate to Machu Picchu. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes.

4. How to get from Machu Picchu to Huayna Picchu mountain

  • The entrance to the Huayna Picchu mountain is located within the Inca city of Machu Picchu. However, you will not be able to enter if you have not purchased the ticket Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu.
  • After entering the Inca city of Machu Picchu, the visitor must go to the Sacred Rock sector. Right in front of this construction is the entrance gate of the Waynapicchu mountain.

About the trips to Machu Picchu
Travel to Machu Picchu from Cusco can be done only by train or by trekking routes. In the case of train travel, there is the possibility of direct train travel. There is also the bimodal trip. This trip consists of making the trip to Ollantaytambo by bus and from there continue the trip by train. In both cases you can reach Machu Picchu Pueblo and from there you must take an ecological bus to reach the archaeological site or the wonder of the world.


Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu tickets: new schedules

  • As mentioned, the ticket Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu must be booked months before (it is recommended to purchase it 3 months in advance). In this way, you can choose the group you want to enter without any problem.
  • This ticket allows you a total time of 6 hours to tour the Inca city of Machu Picchu and the Huayna Picchu mountain.
  • Group 1 schedule:

    • Machu Picchu – Admission from 7:00 am.
    • Huayna Picchu – Admission between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.
  • Group 2 schedule:

    • Machu Picchu – Admission from 9:00 am.
    • Huayna Picchu – Admission between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
Train to Machu Picchu
Train route Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

How to visit Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu in a single day?

TRIP TO MACHU PICCHU AND HUAYNA PICCHU 1 DAY
ScheduleActivity
4 a.m. – 5.45 a.m.Travel by bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo station.
6.10 a.m. – 7.40 a.m.Travel by train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes.
7.40 a.m. – 8.10 a.m.Travel by bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
8.10 a.m. – 10.30 a.m.Entrance and tour of Machu Picchu.
10.30 a.m. – 1 p.m.Entrance and tour of Huayna Picchu.
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.Lunch and free time in Aguas Calientes.
4.22 p.m. – 6.10 p.m.Return by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
6.10 p.m. – 8 p.m.Return from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.

Recommendations during the trip to Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu

  • On the day of your visit, enter Machu Picchu very early. For example, if you chose to enter Waynapicchu in Group 1, should start activities much earlier. We recommend starting at 6:00 in the morning.
  • It is recommended to spend the night in Machu Picchu Pueblo.
  • Only people over 18 years old can do the tour. Although the route is between adults, it is recommended to take the necessary care during the walk.
  • In the case of the Temple of the Moon, you can make the route to this site with its corresponding entrance. The entrance is valid only during the high season.
  • The high season begins June 1 to October 15.
  • Wear non-slip shoes, water and a camera with plenty of space. The photos that can be obtained from the top of the Waynapicchu are some of the most impressive.
  • In case you have not found tickets available for Huayna Picchu; You can book the ticket Machu Picchu + Mountain . This ticket will allow you to see the Inca city from above, after a beautiful walk.

Advice from people who have been there

The Huayna Picchu mountain

Alanís CBy: Alanís C

“One more step“

“We went up to Huayna Picchu after traveling the Inca Trail, we booked everything 6 months before, and we did not know what was waiting for us. Already without strength (after 4 days of walking) we started climbing without any certainty of whether we would manage to arrive. However, we forgot our pains and the fatigue disappeared completely due to the incredible wave of emotions that causes you to see Machu Picchu from up there. Do not wait for someone to describe what you can see from there.“

 

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, August 16, 2024