Machu Picchu on a budget: How to get to Machu Picchu economically by van via the Hydroelectric Dam
When we
decided to visit Peru, and especially Machu Picchu, we knew that we would have
to spend good money from our budget on the flight from Europe to Peru.
However, we
had hoped that we could save on the budget when we arrived in Peru, as we
expected the cost of living to be substantially lower than in Europe. And while
it is true that in many things it is possible to save, in others it turns out
to be really expensive and especially in relation to the visit to Machu Picchu.
For the
truth is that the visit to Machu Picchu really involves high costs, especially
for those coming from outside Peru. Most visitors from Machu Picchu arrive in
Peru via Lima International Airport but to visit Machu Picchu they will have to
go to Cusco, the gateway to the Sacred Valley of the Incas and also one of the
most important bases for visiting Machu Picchu.
 |
| Cusco |
So, in
addition to your trip to Lima, you will have to add the trip to Cusco, which
can be done by bus but usually by plane (although there are very interesting
bus options that will allow you to discover other wonders of Peru, such as the
Nazca Lines and Lake Titicaca).
Well, in
addition to these costs, which we advise to spend a few days and their costs to
stay a few days in Lima and explore this vibrant city (learn more here why you
should visit Lima), you will have to spend money to travel from Custo to Águas
Calientes, then you have to pay the bus to get from Aguas Calientes to Machu
Picchu and of course get your tickets to Machu Picchu (you can learn more about
visiting Machu Picchu and its costs here in our post about 20 things you should know before visiting Machu Picchu).
As we have
mentioned in previous posts about Machu Picchu, if you do not opt for tours
organized by tourist companies, visiting this wonder of the world will require
planning, researching and getting organized. Of course, it is more laborious but
it will probably be cheaper and, in our opinion, more fun. There is nothing
like arranging our trip. In our opinion, it's as if our trip started months
before we left, and that's so good.
There are
two very important issues that you should plan ahead. One of these is the
purchase of tickets to enter Machu Picchu. As you can confirm in our post about
20 things to know before you visit Machu Picchu,
you may want to purchase them in advance so you don't risk missing the date you
plan to visit. Fortunately, you can do so through the official website of the
Peruvian government by clicking here. It
is possible to buy through tourist sites but we really do not see this need, as
the cost will usually be higher and there is nothing easier than purchasing
through the Government of Peru website.
Another
thing to consider is how to get from Cusco to Aguas Calientes and, of course,
to return to Cusco after your visit. Aguas Calientes is the village at the foot
of Machu Pichu, from where you will take the bus to climb to Machu Picchu or
where you will start your trek, as it is also possible to reach Machu Picchu by
walking from this village. This is a very isolated village because, despite
having buses that take you to Machu Picchu, there are no cars running on the
roads, as there is no way to get there.
 |
| Cusco - Machu Picchu Pueblo |
When you do an online search, you will find 2 main ways to get to Aguas Calientes from
Cusco, whether by foot, namely through the Inca Trail or, if you don't want to
do the walking, take the train that drops from Cusco. to Machu Picchu.
The point
is, as you will see, both options are extraordinarily expensive. It is
currently forbidden to do the Inca Trail without a guide, which must be hired
through a properly accredited agency, and this option is certainly not cheap.
The other
option that also easily accessible on the internet is to do the train ride, spatially from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. To do this,
there are two companies that run the route, Inca Rail and Peru Rail, but be
aware that this route is usually (or at least the cheapest) between
Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes, so you will have to organize the route. from
Cusco to Ollantaytambo (see how to do this through our post on how best to make the journey between Cusco and Ollantaytambo).
 |
| Peru Rail Train |
As for the
two companies, both offer different types of service, with different schedules
and prices, so we advise you to see which one suits your needs and if this is
your option, we recommend that you book in advance (especially because of the proximity of the date may lead to rising prices) so as not to risk not having a
train on the date you wish to visit Machu Picchu.
Although
you may find lower prices on certain dates and times, the fact is that the option of taking this route is also extremely expensive.
However,
there are two much cheaper and affordable options. One of them is to walk the
railway line, which is about 32 km, which may not be possible for everyone, and
although trains run at slow speeds and beep very often, this is still true.
that there is a degree of risk and this may not be a suitable option for
everyone.
Then there
is another alternative which has a huge financial advantage as it is a much a cheaper option than taking the Inka Trail and the train ride and, despite
having to hike, nothing compared to the 32 km you would have to take. do if you
walk the train line.
How to take the bus to the Hydroelectric
So let's
talk about the option we found, unfortunately not through our internet
searches, but only in Cusco.
On arrival
in Cusco, walking along the Plaza de Armas, the city center, you will come
across several tourist agencies, with different offers, and one of the most
frequently encountered was the sale of tickets to Hidroelectrica. As a result
of our ingenuity, we thought it would be some tourist spot to visit in the
Cusco region.
 |
| Cusco City Center |
But we were
totally wrong. The bus to Hydroelectric is an alternative option to get to
Aguas Calientes, ie Machu Picchu. And it is an extremely economical way,
compared to the rest, that only requires a light walk of about 2 hours, along
the railway line, and with fabulous landscapes that you will be pleased to
discover along your walk. This is undoubtedly the most economical way to get
close to Machu Picchu.
How to get to Machu Picchu by Van via Hydroelectric?
As we
mentioned earlier, going to Machu Picchu requires a lot of organization, so it
is advisable to arrange in advance to purchase a ticket to enter Machu Picchu,
as well as train travel or booking the Inca Trail. However, if you want to
reach Machu Picchu de Van via the Hydroelectric Dam, you have the enormous
journey of not having to book in advance, as well as being the most economical
way to travel.
Of course,
with an efficient search on the net, you will find the possibility of scheduling
your journey from Van from Machu Picchu to Hydroelectric but this is not at all
necessary as, as you will easily see in Cusco, the offer is huge and always
available. for the next day. In fact, you can go out in the evening and, after
dinner, book your trip for the next morning, which will still have several
offers and the possibility of bargaining prices. However, remember that if you
can leave your Ticket for the Hydroelectric Ticket to the last day, it cannot
be the same as the purchase of your Ticket for Machu Picchu, which must be done
in advance.
When
purchasing your ticket, be sure to arrange the time of pick-up at your hotel,
as this can be arranged as most agencies pick up their clients at their
accommodation.
When you
reach your destination, next to the Hydroelectric, you still have to go for a
walk, but about 13 km and almost always in flat territory, so the degree of
difficulty is low. Also, do not worry about getting lost as you will take the route along the train line, usually near the Urubamba River, so you will not be
fooled and you will see more people doing it in both directions.
When they
leave you will be next to the train station, where they will be told to follow
a trail on the right to a new railway line, which you will only have to follow to go to Aguas
Calientes. Nothing to fool.
When you
leave the van, you will also have the possibility to buy food and even other
goods you need, at lower prices than in Aguas Calientes which, we warn you, is
a place with prices well above average for those who practice it. Peru, even
when compared to other tourist destinations. If you don't have one yet, take
the opportunity to buy mosquito repellent and sunscreen, which is essential for
your walk and visit Machu Picchu.
We emphasize the importance of these two
items, as they do not play with the sun in Peru, and also with the mosquitoes
that, when they attack, attack hard, so take the necessary precautions. Also
indispensable for your walk is the wearing of a hat, sunglasses and of course
carry some water and some snacks to go eating. Just be careful not to leave
trash on your way, take it with you and only throw it in when you arrive in
Aguas Calientes, in the appropriate places.
How long does it take to reach Machu Picchu by Van via the Hydroelectric?
The van travel
from Cusco to the Hydroelectric takes about 6 hours (don't forget to bring
water and snacks for the trip) and after arriving at the Hydroelectric it will
take about 2 hours to walk, so the total will be about 8 hours.
There is
usually the first stop near Ollantaytambo after about two hours of travel for
breakfast and later in Santa Maria for lunch about two hours later, with only
about 40 minutes left until the final ride. to hydroelectric power. Now for
food, you can find options that, for a higher price, include lunch, so you
should look for the offer that suits you best.
Regarding
your visit to Machu Picchu, it is best to visit Machu Picchu at least the day
following your arrival in Aguas Calientes, so you should look for accommodation
for that night in the locality. Of course, you will probably have to stay at
least 2 nights in Aguas Calientes as it may be difficult to make the journey
back to Cusco after your visit to Machu Picchu but it is possible. That is, if
you visit Machu Picchu in the morning, you can make the return journey in the
afternoon/evening but it will undoubtedly be a tiring day.
 |
| Ollantaytambo |
We can
leave the suggestion of staying in Ollantaytambo, which is a great base for
exploring Machu Picchu and the entire Sacred Valley of the Incas (learn more
here in our post “Cusco or Ollantaytambo”).
How much does it cost to get to Machu Picchu by Van via the Hydroelectric?
This is
really the good part because if traveling by train or doing the Inca Trail is
very expensive, going from Custo to Van Hydro is very economical. As with so
many things in Peru, there is always the possibility to haggle, so we advise
you not to make this reservation online, but in person and by comparing and
haggling with more than one tour operator.
As for
prices, of course, it depends on your bargaining power, but you will easily get
very affordable prices which, on a round trip, will be around 50, 60 soles
(less than 20 euros or USD). When you're exploring train prices or taking the
Inka Trail, you will find it really cheap prices to make the trip from Cusco to
the Hydroelectric by van.
How to get back to Cusco from Aguas Calientes by hydroelectric?
Well, the
return to Cusco (or even Ollantaytambo, if you want you can ask to stay there)
has nothing special to know. The most important information to keep in mind is
that the last Van leaves at 4 pm, so it should be there early, preferably by 3
pm and remember that the walking route from Aguas Calientes to the
Hydroelectric takes about 2 hours.
When you
get there, two situations can occur. If you have purchased the round trip
ticket right away, you will only have to go to one of the drivers and give
their name, who will help you get organized right away.
If you did
not get the round trip ticket right away, you will not have any problems
either, just go to one of the drivers and try to haggle the price of the trip.
Of course in Cusco, with more supply, it's easier to haggle, but even here,
you'll have no trouble paying low and fair prices, usually around 30, 40 soles.
Then it
will be a journey of fewer than 6 hours, usually with a stop in Ollantaytambo
for a quick meal.
Conclusions
Let's be
honest, this is probably the most economical way to visit Machu Picchu, but
this route is not for everyone. It is generally used more by backpackers but it
doesn't just have to be. As we mentioned, the walking route is very easy to
enjoy. However, it is not easy to carry your bags for 2 hours on foot, but
as you will most likely make your base in Cusco for exploring Machu Picchu, be
aware that hotels and hostels usually store their luggage for a few nights,
allowing you to travel to Cusco. Machu Picchu lighter and thus make walking
easier.
Of course,
if you want comfort and speed, train travel is the best option, but you will
find that the prices are really very high and even higher are the prices to
make the Inka Trail which is an experience that can really be. unique but, in
addition to being even more expensive than rail travel, it requires several
walking paths. Also, remember that there are limits to the number of people who
can take this route per day, so be sure to organize in advance and get ready
physically, so make the decision well in advance.
As for
Van's ride, we can guarantee that it will be an adventure, not only the car
ride itself, but also the walk, so it is highly recommended and the prices are
really fabulous. Of course, it will not be as fast and comfortable as the train
ride, but it will undoubtedly be an experience you will not forget, as it will
go through indescribable places and, we promise, it will be an exciting trip,
no doubt.
We hope
these ideas will help you prepare for your trip to Machu Picchu. If you still don't have a place to stay on your trip, we
always do our reservations with booking, they are our partners and its with
them that we get the best deals. You can look for the best deals by clicking
here, it will not cost you any money and it helps us to support our blog.
Booking.com
Booking.com
We would
also like to invite you to leave your opinion and questions, in case you have
already visited Machu Picchu, let us know what you think is the best time of
the day to visit. Thanks for your visit to our Non Stop Family Travel Blog,
come back often and, if you liked our article, do not forget to share it with
your friends.
If you are planning your visit to Peru, here is a list of some of our destination-related posts that are sure to be very helpful in organizing your itinerary:
- 10 reasons why you should visit Lima
- 20 things you should know when planning your trip to Machu Picchu
- What is the Sacred Valley of the Incas? What to see in the Sacred Valley, Peru
- How to avoid the crowds in Machu Picchu
- How to visit the Rainbow Mountain in Peru? Things to know when planning your trip
Pin it for Later
If you are planning your visit to Peru, here is a list of some of our destination-related posts that are sure to be very helpful in organizing your itinerary:
- 10 reasons why you should visit Lima
- 20 things you should know when planning your trip to Machu Picchu
- What is the Sacred Valley of the Incas? What to see in the Sacred Valley, Peru
- How to avoid the crowds in Machu Picchu
- How to visit the Rainbow Mountain in Peru? Things to know when planning your trip
Pin it for Later
3 comentários
Really it was an awesome article…very interesting to read. it was exceptionally helpful!
ResponderEliminarIf you want to visit india in budget. pleaseCheck It
beautiful places
ResponderEliminarPlanning a budget-friendly trip to Machu Picchu sounds like an exciting adventure! Your detailed guide on how to get there and explore on a budget is really helpful for travelers looking to experience this iconic destination without breaking the bank. Machu Picchu is not only a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage site but also offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the rich history and culture of the region. On a related note, taking care of your health while traveling is crucial, especially when embarking on such exciting journeys. It's great that you're sharing tips on budget travel without compromising on the experience. For those interested in learning more about maintaining overall health, including hair health, exploring topics like 'Why does my hair hurt?' can provide valuable insights. Looking forward to more travel tips and insights from your blog!
ResponderEliminar