Despite constant rumours circulating about its closure, the vast amount of revenue it brings to the Peruvian government means this is very unlikely to happen in the near future.
Cusco
photo by Alex Proimos
Anyone wanting to go to Machu Picchu will tend to at least pass through the nearest big city, Cusco. However this beautiful ancient Incan capital definitely warrants some exploration in itself. Historic squares such as the Plaza de Armas are embellished by imposing cathedrals, the pick of the bunch being El Triunfo, along with Jesús María and La Compañía de Jesús.
As with many popular tourist destinations in Latin America, the mark of Western culture is never far away. This is most prevalent with the presence of both a KFC and a McDonalds. Semi hidden within the skeletons of ancient buildings of the squares, noticing these fast food titans certainly makes you do a double take.
However there are also less brash home comforts available, for example in the form of Jack’s Cafe , which offers all day breakfasts, a selection of toasties and even cheeseburgers, all at a reasonable price.
There is also a vast array of accommodation on offer, ranging from the trendy backpackers hostels of Wild Rover and Milhouse to much more upmarket options.
Getting to Machu Picchu
Many people going to Machu Picchu choose to enhance the experience by retracing the steps of the ancient peoples on what is known as the Inca Trail.
Nowadays this has been hugely commercialised, and whilst this doesn’t detract from the experience, it does mean there is a vast and potentially daunting amount of options available. These range from short treks easily walked by most, to week-long hikes that take you into the depths of the surrounding jungle and can even incorporate zip-lining and white water rafting. The prices vary hugely depending on what the package includes and it’s definitely worth shopping around.
For the less adventurous, mini bus and train services can get you to Machu Picchu both cheaply and easily. Almost everyone going to Machu Picchu will pass through the town of Aguas Calientes (lit. Hot Waters), however if you don’t want to do any walking at all it is necessary to get here by train due to the lack of roads.
Once in Agua Calientes you can either take a bus up to Machu Picchu, costing around US$18 each way or take the reasonably short walk. It is a very obvious and well trodden path, however is entirely uphill and unfortunately offers little chance to view any scenery. The walk from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu tends to take around an hour.
Machu Picchu site
photo by szeke on Flickr
Despite being one of the biggest tourist attractions in the world, there is still relatively little thats known about Machu Picchu. It wasn’t discovered by outsiders until 1911, and there are a number of unproved theories as to exactly what purpose it served. It’s definitely worthwhile hiring a guide whilst there, and there’s an abundance on offer. Many can speak English as well as a variety of other languages. It’s likely if your visit is part of an Inca Trail package that a guide will be included in the price of your tour.
Entry into the site itself costs 128 Soles (around US$46), however due to a limited amount of tickets available per day it is necessary to reserve in advance. This can be done through any number of the tour guide agencies in Cusco or once again is generally included in the overall price of an Inca Trail. Tickets can also be bought online .
A student discount of 50% applies, however you may have trouble with just your university card, even if it is valid in your home country. Instead it is better to have an International Student Identity Card .
It can also be very worthwhile investing in a ticket to ascend Huayna Picchu, the mountain peak that towers above the ancient site. These tickets are restricted to 400 per day and as such must be reserved in advance. This is normally not a problem if done in plenty of time, and tickets tend to be available through the same outlets as those for Machu Picchu itself. Once atop Huayna Picchu, unrivalled views of the ruins and surrounding area are truly the icing on the cake of an all round breathtaking experience.