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A four-day hike to see Machu Picchu in a week

Home » Peru » Machu Picchu A Weeklong Trip » A four-day hike to see Machu Picchu in a week

Note: Peru charges an airfare tax of $28.28 US for international flights and $5.04 US for domestic flights. The hotel tax of 19% does not apply to tourists who are in Peru for under 60 days, to be proved by your passport.

A trip to Machu Picchu is easiest to manage from Cuzco. You can readily reach Cuzco by plane from Lima, Peru's capital city. From Cuzco, there is a paved trail available to hikers, the old Royal Road of the Incas that stretches the 24 miles from the city Cuzco to the citadel of Machu Picchu.

Below the Machu Picchu citadel is a town, originally and still called Aguas Calientes, but officially renamed Machu Picchu Pueblo. Tickets to and from Machu Picchu can be bought directly in Cuzco, either from a downtown travel agency or from the train station.

There are three options for the train, the speed, crowd, and service improving with increased cost:

Backpacker
$60 US round-trip; $42 US one-way

Vistadome
$89 US round-trip; $60 US one-way

Hiram Bingham
$417 US round-trip only, but includes 2 meals, cocktails, and a guided tour at the ruins

The following schedule is based on an economy trip for two physically fit people. (Note that the Hiram Bingham coach is not an option for this trip, unless you want to pay for a round-trip ticket and only use half.)

COST
Train ticket, one-way: $42 US
Entrance fee for Machu Picchu: $25 US
Private 2-hour tour guide: $20 US
Bus fare, round trip: $13 US
Meals: $80 US
Hotel in Aguas Calientes, double room (Gringo Bill's Hostal): $75 US
APPROXIMATE TOTAL: $255 US

SCHEDULE
Day 1
• Buy a one-way train ticket for the return trip on day seven.
• Begin hiking the 24-mile long Inca Trail. This will take a few days. Note that you will encounter numerous climate zones on the way, from desert to mountain to rainforest. You will have to hike 6 miles a day to reach Machu Picchu on day 4, so bear that in mind while viewing the Inca ruins along the way.
Day 4
• Camp before the Machu Picchu gate.
Day 5
• Enter Machu Picchu at sunrise.
• Hire a tour guide.
• Walk down to Aguas Calientes for lunch. (This takes about 45 minutes.)
• Return to Machu Picchu by bus to continue touring.
• Return to Aguas Calientes by 4:30 p.m. bus. (This is the last bus ride; if you miss it, you will have to walk the 1 to 1½ hour route back to Aguas Calientes.)
• Check in to Gringo Bill's Hostal.
Day 6
• Explore Aguas Calientes markets and thermal baths.
Day 7
• Morning – Explore the markets and thermal baths of Aguas Calientes.
• 3:00 p.m. – Return to Cuzco by train.

Next Page: What restaurants are in Machu Picchu?

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