The Inca city of Machu Picchu is currently one of the most important destinations in the world, and one of those places, which appear at the top of the bucket lists of travelers around the world. Okay, the end is one of the seven wonders of the world, but that’s not the whole adventure. The ways to get there are also amazing. These are the excursions that will take you to the Inca city of Machu Picchu; in all cases, you will travel through breathtaking landscapes of the central Andes and the Amazon jungle belt, where Machu Picchu is located.

• Excursion to Machu Picchu by Train
• Excursion to Machu Picchu along the Inca Trail
• Excursion to Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu
• Excursion to Machu Picchu by Salkantay
• You have already chosen the excursion you want to go to Machu Picchu

Tourist in Machu Pichu

Excursion to Machu Picchu by Train

The train excursion is one of the best options to get to Machu Picchu; it is the fastest and most comfortable way to get there. If you come to Machu Picchu by train this town is the midpoint of the excursion and the place where you will have to board the buses to Machu Picchu. The trains to Machu Picchu in most cases, departing from the town of Ollantaytambo, run through the narrowest part of the Sacred Valley of the Incas to the city that was sacred to them.

The train route to Machu Picchu is considered among the best short routes in the world. All trains are of high standard, have comfortable seats and some of them have panoramic windows, such as the Vistadome train, which has panoramic windows on the walls and ceiling; this is a great advantage when traveling through places like the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The panoramic view will allow you to enjoy and photograph all the exuberance of the valley and the journey along the left side of the Urubamba River. There are dance shows and typical Andean music on board, but also fashion shows and even a welcome bottle of champagne, depending, of course, on the service you choose.

Interior of the Vistadome train bound for Machu Picchu

Excursion to Machu Picchu along the Inca Trail

Year after year, the Inca Trail excursion attracts more and more travelers from all over the world; they engage in a competition to get one of the 200 permits available to reach Machu Picchu by the Inca Trail. The trails of the Inca Trail were built almost 600 years ago, fully respecting the natural environment. The original Inca road network (60,000 km) helped turn the small Inca caste into the largest empire that ever existed in the western hemisphere.

The 40 kilometers that make up the excursion known as the Inca Trail is considered one of the best hikes in the world. It is 4 days at the mercy of the amazing nature of Machu Picchu National Park, up to the Inca city built in the mountains. You will never forget that first view of Machu Picchu, from the Sun Gate (Intipunku); this was the original entrance gate to the Inca city. In addition to lush landscapes, you will enjoy some of the most amazing Inca (and pre-Inca) constructions, which can only be accessed by walking the Inca Trail.

Landscape of the Inca Trail on the Machu Picchu excursion

Excursion to Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu

If you want to hike Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu mountain, you will start by boarding a bus from the city of Cusco to the town of Ollantaytambo; there you will board the train to the town of Aguas Calientes. It is the mountain in front of the Machu Picchu mountain and the one that can be seen behind the wonder, in the most popular images of Machu Picchu. This mountain is very famous, so much so, that to obtain one of the 400 daily permits available to hike Huayna Picchu mountain, you must reserve it several months in advance.

When you are in Aguas Calientes you will still have to board a bus to the entrance of Machu Picchu. The Huayna Picchu mountain hike is considered one of the best short hikes in the world. The mixture of sensations that come from being in Machu Picchu and being able to see it from the top of the “huayna” is an unforgettable experience. The ascent through the trails of the Huayna Picchu mountain is visually terrifying; the views you will get while walking along its trails and from the top of the mountain, are something that will remain in your memory for the rest of your life. An unbeatable excursion that combines the unforgettable wonder of Machu Picchu and the Huayna Picchu mountain hike.

Top of Huayna Picchu Mountain

Excursion to Machu Picchu by Salkantay

The Salkantay Trek is one of those excursions for adventurous people who decide to overcome great challenges and extreme nature. This excursion is among the best in the world – after the Inca Trail -, reaching heights of over 4,000 meters above sea level, while crossing beautiful and icy mountain passes. This hike is of high difficulty, walking against time and weather, setting up camps for the nights and making long treks during the day.

Take advantage of this hike (5 days), before it becomes a highway for visitors – like the Inca Trail -. This excursion allows you time with yourself and with nature, alone. It is one of the best opportunities to bring out your more adventurous self, leaving aside the tedious and stressful crowds of the cities. Keep in mind that this hike does not end directly at Machu Picchu, but you will have to reach Aguas Calientes, before starting the wonderful ascent to the sacred city of the Incas.

Spectacular landscapes that can be seen when hiking to Machu Picchu by the Salkantay

You have already chosen the excursion you want to go to Machu Picchu

We can recommend you many things about the excursion you choose. When to do it, how to book it and which one is the most recommended for you. Just contact us at info@boletomachupicchu.com.

Advice from people who have been there

Huayna Picchu Mountain

By: Rigel K.

“Spectacular views“

“It is a tiring and intense climb, you must be careful where you step. I do not recommend it if you suffer from vertigo, the road is built between rocks and cliffs. On the other hand, enjoy the top of the mountain with people of all ages.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, July 26, 2024