So, you\u2019ve decided to visit the Lost City of the Incas; Machu Picchu. You know you want to see it and get one of those photos in front of Huayna Picchu, perhaps even a #selfie with one of the free-roaming llamas and alpacas? Just don\u2019t get tempted to run through the Lost City without your clothes<\/a>, okay?<\/p>\n BUT<\/strong> once you\u2019ve looked into it a bit more you find that there\u2019s just SO many ways to get to Machu Picchu that you don\u2019t know which one to take. Which one\u2019s best? Do you really want to hike for four days or more? Have you found out the Inca trail is already<\/em> booked up? How can you possibly make a decision on how to get to Machu Picchu?<\/p>\n Well, don\u2019t worry. Here\u2019s your definitive guide on how to get to\u00a0Machu Picchu. All the options, with clear information and personal experiences from other travel bloggers to help you make your decision. It\u2019s a once in a lifetime experience and you don\u2019t want to miss a thing!<\/p>\n Here are the various ways to get to Machu Picchu including the different hiking trails or the non-hiking route to Machu Picchu!<\/p>\n The most popular and the most well known of the treks to Machu Picchu is the Inca trail. 26 miles long, the Inca trail takes you through some stunning scenery including mountains, cloud-forest, subtropical forest and a stunning mix of ancient Inca paving stones.<\/p>\n The classic route takes four day to complete and can be hiked all year with the exception of February when maintenance is done on the route.The best months to visit, weather wise, are June to August when there\u2019s less rain.<\/p>\n If you plan to take the Inca trail you\u2019ll need to look at booking your permit about 6 months in advance. No, really. It gets booked up that fast. The Peruvian Government is, quite rightly, keen to keep the crowds manageable which means that permits are issued to make sure there\u2019s not too many people walking all over this part of Peru and damaging ancient Inca sites.So just remember: book early.<\/p>\n Pros:<\/strong> The original trail and the one everyone knows about. If you say you\u2019ve done the Inca trail you won\u2019t have to do any additional explaining as you might with the others. It\u2019s also the only tour that enters Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate at sunrise (although other tours can get access for sunrise, just not at this entrance).<\/p>\n Cons:<\/strong> It\u2019s busy. Really<\/em> busy. Plus, everyone\u2019s done this one so why not be a little different? It\u2019s also the most expensive option as it\u2019s so high in demand.<\/p>\n This is the trek I took and admittedly I had been swaying towards the Inca trail before it got booked up. However, the $200 saving on this compared to the Inca trail persuaded me to take the Salkantay trek<\/a>; a decision I don\u2019t regret.<\/p>\n The Salkantay trek is the most popular alternative to the Inca trail. The word \u2018Salkantay\u2019 means \u2018Savage Mountain\u2019<\/strong> in Quechua (the ancient language of the Incas) and sums up the trail pretty well. Whilst the trail is definitely manageable (you don\u2019t have to be super, super fit), it\u2019s not easy. It reaches 4,600m above sea level so you\u2019ll get tired quicker than you think due to there being less oxygen.<\/p>\n Whilst it may be tricky it\u2019s also a beauty.<\/strong><\/p>\n The Salkantay trail passes glaciers, waterfalls, cloud-forests and rainforest. It\u2019s beautiful even when the heavens have opened and rivers form on what are supposed to be paths. It rained a lot on my second day and it was freezing cold (with there even being snow at the end of May!) but there\u2019s a huge sense of achievement.<\/p>\n With the Salkantay trek, as with most of the alternative treks to the Inca trail, you\u2019ll spend the night in the town of Aguas Calientes. You\u2019ll have the chance to grab a shower and sleep in a real bed.<\/p>\n Then, at around 4am something magical happens in Aguas Calientes. Hundreds of hikers rise from their beds, strap on their head torches and start marching towards Machu Picchu. The path up to Machu Picchu is dark and as soon as the gates open at 5am you\u2019ll feel the camaraderie as you all hike up in the dark together. It\u2019s a spine tingling feeling taking this last part of the trek and I\u2019d highly recommend it; you\u2019ve walked this far, don\u2019t take the bus now!<\/p>\n Pros:<\/strong> $200 cheaper than the Inca trail and you get to sounds really tough when you tell people how high you climbed. Plus there\u2019s the chance to zip line and visit hot springs.<\/p>\n Cons:<\/strong> It\u2019s a bit tougher than the Inca Trail.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re feeling really adventurous then the do-it-yourself option may be your go to for getting to Machu Picchu. It\u2019s definitely not for everyone but it means you can take things at your own pace and it\u2019s certainly a lot cheaper.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what 2monkeysTravel<\/a> had to say about their do-it-yourself route.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we arrived in Ollantaytambo in Cusco, Peru to start our volunteering hostel job, we were flat broke. 3 months of travelling around India<\/a>, becoming Yoga teachers and massage therapists, plus a missed flight to London, had swallowed all of our savings from Vietnam.<\/p>\n We found a massage table we could use and an old rusty wheelbarrow to push it around in, so we could start to earn some cash from the local hotels. Obviously we wanted to see Machu Picchu, but a train ticket was $80 one way and the guided treks were at least $250.<\/p>\n Then our hostel owners told us that we could just walk there ourselves for absolutely nothing except the entrance price.<\/p>\n We took a 50 cent minibus ride to the train station at Km 82, which is also the start of the Inca Trail, then we started walking along the train line \u2013 30 km\u2019s of steep valleys, raging rivers and towering mountain peaks.<\/p>\n It was long way and we never want to be that broke ever again, but we\u2019re still grateful that our situation pushed us to do something amazing that we\u2019ll never forget!\u201d<\/p>\n Twitter<\/a> | Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n Pros:<\/strong> A lot cheaper than booking yourself on to a tour and it sounds very impressive!<\/p>\n Cons:<\/strong> When I trekked to Machu Picchu we felt really bad for those without a tour group had to cook their own meals in the pouring rain while our guides cooked up three-course dinners.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re travelling with children, don\u2019t fancy the idea of hiking or are short on time in your mission to see all of Peru then the train to Machu Picchu<\/a> is a great option for you. Trains leave Cusco and reach Aguas Calientes in about 3 \u00bd hours. <\/p>\n There\u2019s then a bus you can take from Aguas Calientes to take you to the entrance of the Lost City. Bear in mind that there is quite a lot of walking to be done in and around Machu Picchu, but nothing compared to the treks that\u2019s for sure!<\/p>\n Hear what Vicky from Buddy the Traveling Monkey and Katja from <\/a>Globetotting.com<\/a> had to say about taking the train:<\/a><\/p>\n Vicky:<\/em> \u201cAlthough the Inca Trail is probably the most well-known way to get to Machu Picchu, it might not always be an option. What if you\u2019re traveling with kids? Or perhaps you physically can\u2019t do the hike? When we went to Machu Picchu in May, we had limited time to do everything we wanted to do so spending days to get to the legendary Inca ruins was not an option. <\/p>\n Instead, we took the train from Cusco to Aguas Calientes, the small town at the base of Machu Picchu. The entire experience with Peru Rail was great; from purchasing the tickets to being seated in our train car. Everything was easy and the staff provided great customer service.\u201d<\/p>\n Twitter<\/a> | Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n Katja:<\/em> \u201cWe visited Peru in April 2015 and despite vague romantic ideas of trekking the Inca Trail, I had no real desire to embark on the four-day trek with an 8- and 6-year old in tow. It was a relief, therefore, to discover that transport is available right up to the entrance gate!<\/p>\n Not only did the rail journey save us from aching feet (and weary children), it was also spectacular. Instead, we took the train from Cusco to Aguas Calientes, the small town at the base of Machu Picchu. The entire experience with Peru Rail was great; from purchasing the tickets to being seated in our train car. Everything was easy and the staff provided great customer service.\u201d<\/p>\n Twitter<\/a> | Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n Pros: <\/strong>Takes a lot less time so it\u2019s a great option if you can\u2019t take four days out of your schedule to trek.<\/p>\n Cons: <\/strong>You might miss out on some stunning mountain scenery<\/p>\n The Lares trek is a three night, four day long trek where you\u2019ll pass valleys, tropical forests and waterfalls. During the Lares trek you\u2019ll visit authentic Andean communities whilst being surrounded by stunning mountains. Most routes start in the village of Pumahuanca in the Sacred Valley and finishes in the hot springs of Lares. On Day three you\u2019ll likely take a bus from Lares to Ollantaytambo and carry on to Machu Picchu by train.<\/p>\n See what Two Scots Abroad<\/a> had to say about their experience of The Lares Trek:<\/p>\n \u201cPeru was a priority because Craig had devoured so many documentaries on the seventh modern wonder of the world, Machu Picchu. However, we didn\u2019t want be restricted by time so the notorious Inca Trek was out. The Lares Trek looked quick but a challenge and that it was. On day three we peaked (literally) at 4650m above sea level and it snowed so it\u2019s not for the faint hearted. We recommend taking waterproofs, booking with a quality company AND acclimatising! Our tip \u2013 \u2018voluntary tips\u2019 are not voluntary! Build it into your budget.\u201d<\/p>\n Twitter<\/a> | Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n Pros:<\/strong> A little bit shorter if you\u2019re tight on time!<\/p>\n Cons:<\/strong> The hike on the third day is tough if you\u2019re not acclimatised before the trek.<\/p>\n If you prefer your route to Machu Picchu to be free of tents and more of the hot showers, gourmet meals and clean white bed linen variety then the luxurious lodge treks are for you. Whilst they are the most expensive option on the list you still get the satisfaction that comes with trekking. Just without the sleeping bags and cramped conditions.<\/p>\n The Lodge treks take a similar route to the Salkanty trail to Machu Picchu: you\u2019ll climb to similar altitudes. This trek is also spread out over severn to 11 days rather than just four or five as is the case for other treks.<\/p>\n Pros:<\/strong> Hot showers, gourmet meals and a real bed at the end of every day. Some lodges on the route even have hot tubs to relax in and watch the stars after a day of trekking<\/p>\n Cons:<\/strong> The price. Luxury doesn\u2019t come cheap!<\/p>\n This four day long trek takes adventure to the next level. Far from your standard hiking trek, the Inca Jungle trek take is full of extreme sports to get that adrenaline pumping. There\u2019s downhill mountain biking, zip lines, raging rivers and of course some hiking in the deep jungle following in the paths of the Incas before reaching those famous ruins.<\/p>\n Pros:<\/strong> It\u2019s a pretty unique way to reach Machu Picchu If you\u2019ve been to Machu Picchu I\u2019d love to know which route you took, or if you\u2019re planning on going, which route would you take?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Last Updated on April 17, 2025 by Hannah<\/a><\/p>\n Hannah started That Adventurer after graduating back in 2013 and has documented all of her adventures since then. From backpacking South America<\/strong><\/a> to city breaks in Europe<\/strong><\/a>, a 3 month road trip across the USA in a self-converted van<\/strong><\/a> and 6 years living in Canada<\/strong><\/a>, you\u2019ll find posts on all of this.<\/p>\n Hannah\u00a0specialises in active travel and on That Adventurer you\u2019ll find hiking, walking, biking, skiing and all sorts of active travel guides to allow you to see a destination in an adventurous way.<\/p>\n Now back in Europe, you\u2019ll find new guides as Hannah and her husband spend the next year \u2018digital nomading\u2019 from Norway<\/strong><\/a> to Portugal, Switzerland to Scotland<\/strong><\/a> and places in between.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nThe different ways to get to Machu Picchu<\/h2>\n
The Inca Trail<\/h3>\n
![\"Machu](\"https:\/\/thatadventurer.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/DSC024481.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n![\"Salkantay](\"https:\/\/thatadventurer.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/DSC02277.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThe Salkantay Trek<\/h3>\n
![\"Machu](\"https:\/\/thatadventurer.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/DSC_0973.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nPlan a Do-It-Yourself Trek to Machu Picchu<\/h2>\n
![\"Machu](\"https:\/\/thatadventurer.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/DSC_1011.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nTake the train to Machu Picchu<\/h3>\n
The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu<\/h3>\n
The Luxury Lodge Trek<\/h3>\n
![\"inca](\"https:\/\/thatadventurer.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/Zipline.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThe Inca Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu<\/h3>\n
Cons:<\/strong> Perhaps not the right choice if you\u2019re afraid of heights!<\/p>\n![\"hannah](\"https:\/\/thatadventurer.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/lofoten-tjeldbergtinden-3-of-5.jpg\")
<\/div>\n