Machu Picchu was built by the Incas, who meticulously chose its strategic location. The ancient lost city is secluded and surrounded by a jungle, high on a mountain. It's not an easy place to access; in the past, the only method to get to the archaeological site was by walking along the Inca Trail, which is still in use today and requires four days of hiking from Cusco to the site.
The only way to move around the Machu Picchu archaeological site is by walking. That's why a good idea is to wear appropriate footwear when planning a visit to Machu Picchu. The site features dirt and stone "streets," as well as ascents and descents.
The closest village to the archeological site is Machu Picchu Pueblo, popularly known as Aguas Calientes. The only path between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu is a short road named Carretera Hiram Bingham. It's named after the person who "discovered" the lost city of the Incas. The gap between the two is ten kilometers. Although it is more practical to take the bus, you can walk down this road.
You can walk or take eco-friendly buses from Aguas Calientes to the Inca ruins. While the hike takes roughly two hours to ascend and one hour to descend, the bus ride takes about twenty-five minutes.
Taking the bus is a more comfortable choice because it runs every day. It also avoids several staircases with hundreds of steps, which make the walk difficult. You can buy the bus ticket in advance online, at the Consettur website, or at the company's physical store in the village. When buying a bus ticket to the city of Inca rulers, you must select an entry date and show your identity along with personal information.
The buses leave from the village center and run continuously, with frequencies every 20 minutes. You don't need to reserve a specific time for the bus to the Unesco World Heritage. Just the day when the journey will take place!
The round-trip bus tickets to Machu Picchu costs US$24 (or US$12 each way).
The operating hours for the buses to enter Machu Picchu are:
Ascent: Between 5:30 am and 3:30 pm
Descent: Between 6 am and 5:30 pm
Aguas Calientes is a small place, so you must walk as there are no cars or bikes allowed. In this village, cargo carts carry visitors' luggage. Trains connect Machu Picchu Pueblo to Ollantaytambo and Cusco.
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