Category: Travel Guide

Today no one doubts that Peru is one of the most megadiverse countries on the planet. According to statistics from the System of Natural Areas Protected by the State (SINANPE), Peru has 158 protected natural areas, covering almost 20% of the national territory.

The country also has 28 different climates as well as 84 of the 104 microclimates that exist in the world, which is all the more reason for each natural reserve to be extremely different from the other. In some areas we can find an incredible variety of flora and fauna while in others, we will discover some of the most beautiful peaks on the planet.

The following list of the ten most visited protected areas during 2017 has been elaborated by the National Service of Natural Areas Protected by the State (SERNAMP).

Machu Picchu

The well-known wonder of the modern world had 1.4 million visitors last year, with a 7% increase in the arrival of foreign tourists compared to a similar period in 2016.

The institution also highlights that in the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu we can not only be enraptured by its Inca architecture, but we can also appreciate different species of birds such as the golden-headed quetzal or the cock of the rock (national emblem of Peru), as well as 18 different types of hummingbirds and exotic native orchids.

Ballestas Islands National Reserve

This marine sanctuary was the second most visited protected natural area in Peru, receiving 388,533 tourists in 2017, more than half of whom were nationals. Visitors to the Ballestas Islands will be able to learn more about guano and what it represented for the country in economic terms during the 19th century.

Visitors will observe the thousands of guano birds that swirl around the islands, and will even be able to swim with sea lions, one of the greatest tourist spectacles one can imagine in the coastal zone of the country.

Paracas National Reserve

Very close to our previous protected area we have one of the favorite destinations for the locals for its natural beauty and the marine fauna and flora that treasure its coasts. Last year the Paracas Reserve received 354 thousand visitors, 26 thousand more compared to the same period in 2016.

Its value lies in the protection of a great biological diversity indispensable for the maintenance of diverse biological cycles that guarantee the conservation of species, just as it generates economic income for thousands of inhabitants.

There are 1,543 species of mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles. Within the reserve we find the “Northern Circuit” with 12 points for the enjoyment of the desert landscape of huge dunes, cold waters of the Pacific, and the practice of some adventure sports such as paragliding or diving.

Huascaran National Park

If what you like is trekking and ancestral cultures without a doubt this is the natural protected area you were looking for. Last 2017 it received 283 thousand visitors, but it was the visit of foreigners that reported the highest growth with 29% compared to 2016.

Huascarán National Park is also getting ready for the high season, once the rainy season is over. With the so-called “dry season”, visitors can hike and “camping”, to have direct contact with the largest tropical mountain range in the world, where there is a wealth of flora and fauna, geological formations, snow-capped mountains and unique natural landscapes.

In its interior we will find one of the jewels for mountaineering lovers, the snow-capped Alpamayo (5,947 masl), which the locals call the “most beautiful in the world”, or the Huascarán (6,768 masl) – sadly remembered for the flood that buried the city of Yungay in 1970. The park is also a must to access Chavín de Huántar, where one of the most fascinating civilizations of the Formative period in Peru (1400 B.C. – 400 A.D.) developed.

Titicaca National Reserve

Yes, Lake Titicaca is home to an important ecological reserve for the world that last year received 194,695 visitors. Of this total, the number of domestic visitors grew 11% over 2016.

The Titicaca National Reserve conserves a great biodiversity, supports the socioeconomic development of the Puno region and maintains the cultural traditions of the communities that inhabit the main tourist islands: Uros, Taquile and Amantani.

The entire Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca has been recognized by the Ramsar Convention on January 20, 1997, as a Wetland of International Importance, especially as a habitat for waterfowl.

Historical Sanctuary of the Pampa of Ayacucho

This Sanctuary was the scenario where the famous Battle of Ayacucho took place on December 9, 1824 against the Spanish royalist troops, in what was the last great confrontation of the Spanish-American wars of independence. On the same day the Capitulation of Ayacucho was signed between Chief of Staff José de Canterac and General Antonio José Sucre.

This historical place for the American independence received 147,397 visitors last year and its objective is to guarantee the conservation of the flora and fauna found in the territorial area and the historical natural patrimony.

The Sanctuary is located on an elevated plain at an altitude of 3,350 meters above sea level. Due to its privileged geographic location, it is a natural viewpoint from where you can observe the landscapes of the Ayacucho countryside.

Tingo María National Park

According to Promperú figures, 91,383 were the visitors who came to this beautiful reserve during 2017, 1,600 additional visits compared to the previous year. The “Home of Sleeping Beauty”, as this National Park is also known enjoys a beautiful landscape that invites you to visit it.

Going into its lush vegetation with subway caverns such as the famous Cueva de las Lechuzas (Cave of the Owls) will be an experience that no visitor will forget. There are also other sectors with different activities such as Tres de Mayo, Juan San Atahualpa and Quinceañera Waterfall.

This adventure is accompanied by trekking of low difficulty, observation of stalactites and stalagmites, sighting of millenary rock formations and a visit to the Gloriapata waterfall where you can see the cock of the rock in its natural habitat.

Lachay National Reserve

Last year, Lachay received 56,901 visitors, with July being the month with the highest number of visitors. Its name comes from the Quechua word “llachu”, which means “place covered in mist”.

Lachay is an ecosystem based on the fog that comes from the Pacific Ocean, with native vegetation and fauna of remarkable importance, which gives it special scientific and cultural significance. If we want to observe its flowers we should visit the place between September and October.

In this extensive National Reserve you can see migratory birds, such as the peregrine falcon and mammals, such as the tender coastal fox. Inside the reserve there is a circuit of pedestrian paths available to visitors.

Tambopata National Reserve

This popular protected natural area in the department of Madre de Dios received 55,142 visitors last year. Of this total, 84% of the visits were made by foreigners attracted by the reserve’s great biodiversity.

Tambopata is a natural paradise that every national or foreign tourist and nature lover should visit. This natural protected area is located south of the Madre de Dios River, between the Tambopata and Inambari districts of the Tambopata province.

The Tambopata river basin is a privileged space, because it is home to one of the highest rates of biological diversity on the planet. This natural protected area also stands out for its colorful presence of macaws, which offer a multicolored spectacle to the lucky visitors, especially in El Chuncho clay lick.

Huayllay National Sanctuary

This sanctuary is considered one of the best geological museums in the world for its impressive geoglyphs that were visited by 45,661 tourists last year.

This national protected area of 6,815 hectares is located in the district of Huayllay, Pasco, at an altitude between 4,100 and 4,600 masl. Up to 90% of the rock formations found in the area are of volcanic origin, which form a “forest of rocks” of great beauty and uniqueness.

Between the imposing rocks are found bofedales and puquiales that guarantee the presence of a unique fauna in the place.

There are some other National Reserves that perhaps should be on this list but are more unknown to tourists, such as the Amazonian reserves of Manu or Pacaya Samiria, known as the jungle of mirrors. Places that should not be missed.

 

Peru is internationally known for having one of the 7 wonders of the modern world such as Machu Picchu; for having one of the best gastronomies on the planet; or for having spectacular treks such as the Inca Trail or the one that leads to the Inca city of Choquequirao.

What not many will know outside its borders is that Peru is one of the best places for birdwatching, with 1,857 different species, making it the country with the second largest number of birds in the world.

That is why the Center for Ornithology and Biodiversity (Corbidi), a non-profit scientific institution made up of the most outstanding national and international ornithologists, is organizing the Global Big Day (GBD) on May 5th.

In the two previous editions of the Global Big Day -2015 and 2016- Peru achieved the record in sightings with 1,183 and 1,246 bird species recorded, respectively. In 2017, it lost this title to Colombia, which established itself as the winner.

Peru will thus seek to become for the third time in the history of the championship the country with the most bird species sightings in the world, reported Promperu.

According to Cordibi, the Global Big Day (GBD) was created with the aim of promoting bird watching worldwide for a full day. More than 144 countries participate in this bird watching day, each participating country must collectively identify the largest number of birds.

In this regard, the Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Roger Valencia, told Agencia Andina that the GBD seeks that people -foreigners and nationals- know the natural and tourist wealth of our country in order to preserve and massify it.

“The purpose is to form citizens who know and share so that more people join the objective of preserving species. Through Global Big Day we are able to bring together experts and naturalists with amateurs and share experiences,” he said.

30 of the 76 Natural Protected Areas will be the setting for the GBD, highlighting the Paracas National Reserve, the national parks of Tambopata, Rio Aviseo, Cerros de Amotape, Manu, Tingo Maria, Pacaya Samiria, or the historic sanctuaries of Machu Picchu, Bosque de Pomac, among others.

The hope for 2018 is that the country will once again be crowned as a bird watching paradise. According to the Holdrige classification, Peru has 84 of the 117 life zones registered on earth, with the highest number of endemic species in the world (106).

The origin of ceviche is not entirely clear, nor is the etymology of the term, which in some areas is written as ‘cebiche’, ‘seviche’ or even ‘sebiche’.

What is clear is that ceviche is the most international dish of Peruvian cuisine and that, in addition to being Cultural Heritage of the Nation, the Peruvian State is in negotiations to include it soon in the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO.

The Multisectoral Working Group formed specifically for this mission is made up of the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism, the Ministry of Production, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health.

The nomination is part of the legacy to be delivered to the citizens as part of the agenda for the commemoration of the Bicentennial of Independence that will take place in July 2021.

According to the national institutions, the nomination of Peruvian ceviche contemplates the elaboration of a file that proposes a Safeguard Plan that ensures the conservation, protection and promotion of those elements, practices and customs that make ceviche an ‘exemplary expression of biological and cultural diversity, generating identity and pride among Peruvians’.

The initiative will also contribute to improving the living conditions of the population involved in the production chain, the development of the regions, strengthening national identity and the commitment to environmental sustainability.

What is ceviche?

Ceviche is a seafood dish typical of the coast that waters the Pacific Ocean, which in its Peruvian version (the most famous) combines raw fish marinated in lime, with chopped lime bell pepper, cilantro, sliced onion and canchita serrana, choclo (corn) and camote (sweet potato) as accompaniments.

In addition to the aforementioned recognition as Cultural Heritage of the Nation, ceviche was chosen in a massive vote as the dish that best defines the country.

And although ceviche exists in countries such as Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Honduras or Mexico, some renowned chefs such as Ferrán Adriá (El Bully), have mentioned that ceviche belongs historically and culturally to Peru.

The fish used in this dish are usually sole, grouper, bonito, dogfish, Perico, trout (mainly in the highlands), or the more economical pejerrey.

Besides the classic ceviche or fish ceviche, there are other variants such as mixed ceviche (with fish and seafood); black shell ceviche (considered an aphrodisiac); shrimp ceviche (typical in the Arequipa region); octopus ceviche; Chiringuito (a typical dish from Piura, based on dried guitar meat -a ray spice- marinated in lemon and chili); or the Amazonian ceviche (with river fish such as paiche, Amazonian dorado, Corvina, catfish, or maiden).

To all the above I will take a license as the author of this blog and add -I think in common agreement with any Peruvian reader- that having a fresh ceviche on the beach with an ice cold beer at over 25 ºC is, more than enough, reason for this flagship dish to become part of UNESCO’s World Heritage. If you haven’t tried it, you don’t know what you’re missing!

In Peru there are two sisters that despite being relatively close to each other, they hardly know each other. Something that also happens to thousands of tourists who come to the country of the Incas and depart from its valleys and mountains, without even knowing that there was in Cusco itself a beautiful Inca city very similar to the wonder of the world, called Choquequirao, or ‘the other Machu Picchu’.

However, it seems that only a couple of days ago a law was passed declaring of national interest and public necessity the elaboration of regional plans between Cusco and Apurimac (region through which there is access to Choquequirao) to connect these two Inca citadels and thus promote tourism in the country.

The distance between Machu Picchu and Choquequirao is not so great: only about 44 kilometers; however, the orography of the place and the difficult access to the latter makes it unfeasible for most international tourism.

Although it seems quite complicated, studies are being carried out for the construction of a cable car in Huanipata, province of Abancay, with another possible alternative from Santa Teresa, in the Cusco region.

This regulation -according to an informative text of Perú21- will promote the creation of infrastructures for the arrival to the two cities such as “construction, equipment, operation and maintenance of the road rings, pedestrian paths and cable car or cable car system”.

Of course, and in accordance with the law, guaranteeing heritage parameters.

Perhaps with some of these infrastructures, the three/four day trekking ascent to Choquequirao, the main reason why tourists cannot get to know it and which, on the other hand, I believe is its charm, could be solved.

Cusco is undoubtedly the most touristic city in Peru. So much so that more and more resources are being exploited in the ‘Imperial City’ and its surroundings.

There are some emblematic cases of this, such as the famous 7 Colors Mountain of Cusco, which -despite being today one of the symbols of Peruvian tourism- until a few years ago was only a remote hill without any interest for visitors.

This is also the case here: the Humantay Lagoon, which is on its way to becoming the third attraction of the Andean region. This was recently announced by the regional governor of Cusco, Jean Paul Benavente, after the presentation of the plan for the sustainable use of the natural attraction.

It would thus become the third most visited tourist destination in the region by domestic and foreign tourists, only after Machu Picchu and the aforementioned 7 Colors Mountain (aka Vinicunca).

According to what Benavente said to local media, Humantay Lagoon is visited daily by up to 500 visitors.

How to get to Humantay Lake

The access to the Humantay Lagoon is not easy, but the reward of finding a beautiful turquoise lake in the heights (4,200 meters above sea level) will be all we need to face with philosophy a climb of between one and a half and two hours of duration with gradual lack of oxygen and paved roads.

We have two options to get to the beautiful Humantay Lagoon, either by trekking Salkantay (5D/4N) that will demand a great effort and a long trekking; or leaving early in the morning (4’30 a.m.) from Cusco to the town of Mollepata (2,900 masl), which is located about 98 km from the city.

Once there, we will go to the village of Soraypampa (3,900 masl), from where we will begin an ascent to access the kingdom of the apus of Salkantay and Humantay.

Although it is possible to do this tour on your own for about S/. 10 in collective transport, there are agencies in the city of Cusco that make this trip in private transport for about US$ 40; perhaps a good way to not worry about it and let us be guided.

Can children go up to Humantay Lake?

Each organism is different and before answering you from our condition as bloggers, we recommend you to consult your pediatrician.

Children may feel nervous when they notice a slight headache or find it hard to breathe because of the altitude. When you go up as a family, remember to warn the children that they will have these symptoms and acclimatize at least one day in advance by eating chicken diets, drinking coca tea, coca candies or the popular sorojchi pils pills.

It is also important to bring warm clothes, comfortable trekking shoes, sun block for the hot Andean sun and water for the journey.

The new entrance prices to the Inca wonder of Machu Picchu have recently been announced for this 2021, keeping the same rates as in 2019.

This is good news for tourists traveling on a tight budget and who have to face, in addition, other expenses that arise in the city of Cusco such as the Tourist Ticket, the famous train to Aguas Calientes or the obligatory tours through the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

The Ministry of Culture (Mincul) is in charge of approving the promotional entrance fees to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, which sells these tickets in its physical offices on Av. Sol in Cusco, in the city of Aguas Calientes or through the website of the Ministry of Culture, Dirección Desconcentrada de Cultura de Cusco.

*Note, this last page that we link is the official one although you can find others that offer the entrance ticket to Machu Picchu better positioned; obviously, the latter will charge you a commission…

Our recommendation from this blog (because we have experienced it firsthand), is that you make your ticket purchases at least 2-3 months in advance so as not to run out of them.

These rates will be valid for domestic visitors, foreign residents in the country and the Andean Community (Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia) accessing Machu Picchu throughout the year 2021.

Entrance ticket prices to Machu Picchu

Admission for adults will be S/ 64 (US$ 19), while university students and primary and secondary school students will pay half: S/ 32 (US$ 9.5). Children up to 12 years of age will also pay this amount. These rates were made official by resolution of the Ministry of Culture N°505-2019-MC, published in the official gazette El Peruano.

In the case of minors, they must be accompanied by an adult who will be responsible for the care and actions of the minor, for which it must take the necessary security measures.

We also remind foreign visitors that there are several types of tickets in addition to the visit to Machu Picchu, such as the one that includes the ascent to Huayna Picchu Mountain, Machu Picchu Mountain or with access to the Museum of Macchu Picchu. We insist again that the online purchase should be made at least 3 months in advance to avoid surprises.

There are two schedules we can choose for our visit:

Morning shift:

From 6am – 12pm. The temperature is cool, ideal for a long hour hike.

Afternoon shift:

From 12pm – 5:30pm. The midday light will allow you to observe the sanctuary in all its splendor.

We hope these recommendations will be useful when visiting this Wonder of the Modern World.

Only a week ago we told in this blog that it was safe to travel to Peru even though the coronavirus was wreaking havoc worldwide.

Only a day later the first case of coronavirus was declared in Peru and COVID-19 was declared a pandemic according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

As of today, March 16, 2020, Peru has 86 confirmed cases of coronavirus and the country’s Ministry of Health (MINSA) maintains that the number could rise due to the fact that many of the possible carriers have not decided to take the test.

Machu Picchu Is closed from February 1, to February 15 2021; more news in Peru Cultural Connection

Undoubtedly, in addition to the humanitarian tragedy that all fellow citizens of Peru are experiencing, this is a bitter moment for all travel agencies, tour operators and visitors in general who are currently touring the country.

All tourists who are in the country must abide by the 15 working days quarantine established by the Peruvian Executive to preserve the health of all Peruvians, as well as visitors who are visiting the wonders of the country.

Although some monuments such as the Sacred City of Caral and all the museums in Lima have already been closed for three days, all the national monuments are already closed.

Machu Picchu is closed because of the coronavirus

Although it was a controversial measure since we are talking about one of the seven wonders of the modern world and the main tourist attraction of Peru, the Ministry of Culture has had to comply and align itself with the central government in the closure of all spaces that are only intended for the sale of basic necessities and medicines.

Machu Picchu is therefore closed due to the State of Alarm decreed by Vizcarra until further notice.

According to a communiqué from the Deconcentrated Direction of Cusco (under the Ministry of Culture), the sale of tickets for Machu Picchu is postponed for the duration of this exceptional situation. In the case of having previously purchased the ticket, a change of date for a later visit is allowed without penalty.

We recommend that European visitors who are in Peru during the State of Alarm contact their respective embassies to ensure their return to their country of origin in a logical and orderly manner.

Patience and good luck to the travelers who are going through this difficult time. And to all the population to follow the guidelines being offered by the different ministries involved. Remember to #YOMEQUEDOENCASA

When starting our journey to Machu Picchu from the imperial city of Cusco, we must keep in mind that we have several options on how to reach our goal: via train, through the Inca Trail or even from the not so well known Salkantay trek.

In this post we will focus on the most economical way to reach the wonder of the world by the famous Hydroelectric, in a hike of about 3 hours long and a trip that can take us up to 48 hours in total.

Although for the Peruvian national traveler it is not such an attractive route because of the special discounts for the train that arrives to Aguas Calientes (S/ 10 or € 2.5), it can be a considerable saving for the foreign tourist’s pocket, who can spend US$ 120 for the same trip.

Is this big price difference fair to the tourist? At the moment this is not the post to pronounce on it. What we will try to do is to help you make the trip to the Hydroelectric Plant if you want to save a considerable amount of money. It is possible.

This Hydroelectric Route follows the rails of the train – and although it is a somewhat tiring walk – the beautiful landscapes that will guide us to Aguas Calientes are worth the walk.

How to get to the Hydroelectric Plant?

To take advantage of the day we will have to get up early to go to the station of Cusco (Santiago’s land terminal) and take a ticket towards Quillabamba to get off in the town of Santa Maria for about S/ 20 (€ 5). The total trip can take more than six hours.

Upon arriving in Santa Maria we can take a bus with some travelers to move to Santa Teresa in a journey of an hour and a half. From there the option is to take a cab to take us to the hydroelectric plant.

If we want to take a short break to stretch our legs (remember that the road will be long), we can stop at the hot springs of Santa Teresa in a beautiful enclave on the left bank of the Urubamba River. The cab to these hot springs will not cost more than S / 10.

If we want to save time it is advisable not to stop at the hot springs and continue on the road to Aguas Calientes to avoid arriving late at night. From Santa Teresa we will take a cab that will leave us at the beginning of the train tracks. Take it easy and go slowly but surely.

The walk, although tiring, is not hard, because it is in a straight line without slopes. If we venture to make the hike in rainy season it is recommended to bring a plastic poncho (which can be purchased at any market in Cusco).

If we regret wanting to walk we can take a train to make this journey for about US$ 31.

*The route between Santa Maria and Santa Teresa is not paved so it is recommended NOT to take this option in the rainy season because of landslides and landslides that can put our safety at risk. The rainy season in Cusco is between the end of November and April.

Day 2: Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu

When we wake up on the second day in Aguas Calientes, we recommend an early start (5.00 a.m.) to enjoy Machu Picchu and visit the site without rushing.

*For those who want to buy tickets for Huayna Picchu (mountain that is in all the photos of the Inca citadel) remember that it is necessary to book online at least three months in advance. Be careful not to buy on the official website of the Ministry of Culture to avoid cost overruns (Check this post about Machu Picchu).

To climb Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes we also have two options: an hour and a half ascent on foot, or taking the buses that leave every 15 minutes for US$ 24 round trip.

Why do we recommend spending the US$ 24 and going up by bus? The ascent on foot is not easy if we are not in good physical condition, so when we arrive at Machu Picchu we will be tired to enjoy 100% the walk and guided by the enclosure (not to mention if we also plan to make the hour climb and hour down to Huayna Picchu). In this case it is worth spending a few tickets.

Where to buy the bus ticket to Machu Picchu

Aguas Calientes

At Hermanos Ayar Av. S/N, before the bridge Ruinas. The ticket office is open from 05:00 am to 09:00 pm.

Cusco

Av. Infancia 433 – Wanchaq: from 08:00 am to 12:45 pm and from 03:00 pm to 06:00 pm.
Av. El Sol 380 – Interbank bank: from 08:00 am to 12:45 pm and from 03:00 pm to 06:00 pm.

The estimated time the bus takes from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu is 30 minutes.

Once we have arrived at Machu Picchu just tell you that you can simply enjoy this unique experience. Do not be in a hurry and soak up the energy of the place. Lie down on the grass and breathe the pure air of the Andes at 2,430 meters above sea level. The rest of the world will not matter.

The city of Cusco is the jewel of Peruvian tourism for two reasons: the first is for being the capital of the ancient Inca Empire (which has earned him the nickname of ‘Imperial City’); the second reason is that it is the strategic stop from where to go to know the Sacred Valley and one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World: the well-known citadel of Machu Picchu.

But something that many of you may be wondering is when is the best time of the year to go to Cusco?

First of all it is worth noting that the climate in the Cusco region is clearly differentiated into two stages that people usually divide between:

Rainy season: from November to April.

Dry season: from May to October

And although it is traditionally recommended to visit Cusco and Machu Picchu during the dry season, the truth is that each of them has a characteristic charm. While it is true that the dry season allows us to see all the circuits and tours of the city and surroundings without the hassle of rain, it is also the time of year most congested by tourists.

The rainy season – besides being less saturated – offers attractions such as seeing the mountains of Machu Picchu covered by a characteristic mist that we can see in some photographs. It really depends a lot on the tastes of each person.

What is the downside of the rainy season?

The rainy season, however, poses some problems for visitors, such as the closure of the Inca Trail during the month of February or constant dirt displacements along the road to Aguas Calientes from Hidroeléctrica, in a walk of about three hours following the railway.

The months with the highest rainfall are January and February, with a maximum of 98 mm. As we are in summer during these months in the southern hemisphere, temperatures are higher than in the dry season, with an average of 18 ºC during the day and 8 ºC at night.

The rains usually fall during the afternoon and evening, although there are also heavy and intermittent rainfalls that last a few minutes and then give way to the sun. Something that we could rescue from the constant rains of this season, is that the vegetation is greener and lusher.

*In addition to the closure of the Inca Trail during the month of February for maintenance, during the month of April the Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountains of the Inca fortress are closed. Machu Picchu can still be visited all year round without any problems.

What is the best month to visit Cusco & Machu Picchu?

The dry season starting in May has the advantage of offering magnificent images of the sunrise at Machu Picchu and will give us a brighter Sacred Valley (although as we mentioned before, less green).

If we must choose the best month to visit Cusco, we believe it should be June, because, in addition to having a period in which rainfall is the lowest of the year (see chart above), Cusco celebrates the most important sacred festival of the ancient Inca Empire, known as the Inti Raymi or the Feast of the Sun, which recreates every year the beginning of the winter solstice.

Finally, no matter what month you want to visit Cusco or the wonder of Machu Picchu, every month is a good month to enjoy this jewel of the Inca Empire. Rain or shine, clouds or no clouds, the magic will still be intact when we enter and we will leave full of energy after the visit.

In one of our previous posts we wrote about everything you need to know for your entrance to Machu Picchu: history, location, prices and new entrance regulations. However, we touched very lightly on the different ways to get to Machu Picchu.

There are three ways to get to Machu Picchu with different costs: by train (with Peru Rail and Inca Rail companies); through the Inca Trail (crossing the Sun Gate or Inti Punku in a 4D/3N journey); or by taking the Hydroelectric Route in a hike of about three hours.

Getting to Machu Picchu by train

To get to Machu Picchu by train we can leave through three stations:

• Poroy Station (one way)
• Ollantaytambo Station (one way)
• Aguas Calientes/ Machu Picchu Station (return)

*Important: The Poroy station does not open during the rainy season due to the danger of landslides and maintenance of the railroad tracks.

Train tickets can be purchased in Lima or in Cusco itself, although to ensure the ticket -especially if we are traveling in high season- it is advisable to buy tickets via internet through the links of the train companies that we have left paragraphs above.

We can travel to Ollantaytambo by bus or minivan for approximately S/ 30 (€ 10). These vehicles leave from Pavitos Street, very close to the Plaza de Armas in Cusco and start constantly as the buses fill up with locals and tourists. It is public transport but safe. Cabs, although faster, have a higher cost; however, in groups of four people can be a good option sharing expenses.

A good idea before leaving for Machu Picchu is to spend the night in “Ollanta” (as the locals call it) and visit this charming Inca town that has preserved the same architecture since pre-Hispanic times. On the sides of the streets are still operating Inca water channels that survive as a living sample that has endured over time.

We can also visit the majestic ruins of the archaeological complex of Ollantaytambo, which was an important military, religious and agricultural complex during the Tahuantinsuyo (or Inca Empire). To reduce costs it is necessary to have the Cusco Tourist Ticket, which can be purchased at various points in Cusco and has a price of S / 130 (US$ 40).

The trip from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (or Machu Picchu Pueblo) takes about 2 hours. The train crosses the banks of the Urubamba River until it reaches the town of Aguas Calientes, in a journey that although short, has beautiful views crossing the railroad tracks of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and letting you see Andean communities, fields of crops and flora and fauna characteristic of the area.

One of the big complaints about this train service is the high price for tourists. While for an adult foreigner the ticket can reach US$ 120, for national tourists, foreigners residing in the country and those from the Andean Community, the price drops to S/ 20 (US$ 8).

Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu

Once the train we have taken in Ollantaytambo leaves us in Aguas Calientes we have two options to get to the ruins of Machu Picchu. Walking up in a journey of about an hour and a half (which can be tiring if we are not in good physical condition); or take a bus that runs along the Hiram Bingham road to the famous Inca citadel.

This bus ride takes about 30 minutes and costs US$ 24 round trip for a foreign adult; and US$ 15 for an adult national or foreign resident in Peru. The price is halved for children and students. It is also possible to buy these tickets only for one way or only for return if we dare to walk up but prefer to go down by bus.

The ticket office for these buses is located right next to the train station and they usually leave every 15 minutes from 5.30 am to 3.30 pm. The buses go down to Aguas Calientes from 6.00 am to 5.30 pm.

Getting to Machu Picchu from the Inca Trail

The Inca Trail is considered one of the best treks in the world thanks to its stunning scenery between snow-capped peaks of the Andes, the forests that wake up in the fog, or the lush vegetation of the jungle of Cusco.

This beautiful journey is usually done during 4D/3N through its 42 Km of route, crossing Inca ruins and villages nestled in time as Patallacta, Runku Rakay, Huayllabamba, Sayacmarca, Phuyu Pata Marca and Wiñaywayna.

For those interested in doing the Inca Trail, we must warn you that there is no possibility of doing this trekking on your own; there are only a few accredited agencies that can operate this incredible journey that crosses a stone road that passes through waterfalls, tunnels, mountains, in an environment where all the energy of the Andes flows.

The cost of the Inca Trail varies according to the agency and the services it provides. The prices are usually between US$ 400 and US$ 600, varying in details such as menus or amenities in the tents. All these tours usually have porters to help with the well-known “altitude sickness” and include sleeping tents (tents) and food along the way.

When we reach the end of the trail we will cross the Sun Gate and arrive at one of the most magical, amazing and unforgettable places for any adventurous traveler, the mysterious “Lost City of the Incas”, known as Machu Picchu, one of the 7 Wonders of the World.

The Inca Trail is highly demanded, so it is recommended to make reservations up to three months in advance. The daily quota is 500 people, of which only 200 will access the site. It is estimated that some 15,000 people make this trek to Machu Picchu every year.

For travelers with a tight schedule, there is a 2D/1N Inca Trail that also crosses the Sun Gate to reach the Inca citadel. *Please note: The Inca Trail is closed during the months of February for maintenance work.

Getting to Machu Picchu from Hidroeléctrica

The third way to get to Machu Picchu -and more economical- is through the Hydroelectric Route in a walk of about 3 hours following the rails of the train. Although it is a tiring walk and it is recommended to be in good physical condition, it is compensated by the beautiful views that we will have along the way.

To get to Hidroelectrica we will try to take an early bus from Cusco (7.30-8.00 am) for about S/ 35 (US$ 10) to start a 7 hour trip. Once we have arrived at Hidroeléctrica we will start the above mentioned 3 hour hike to Aguas Calientes.

We can also take a bus to Quillabamba to get off in Santa Maria. There we take another bus to Santa Teresa and from there a cab to Hidroeléctrica. It is also recommended to take this trip early to be able to start the hike to Aguas Calientes and arrive at a good time to spend the night in town.

*The route between Santa Maria and Santa Teresa is not paved so it is recommended NOT to take this option in the rainy season because of landslides and landslides that can put our safety at risk. The rainy season in Cusco is between the end of November and April.

The hike, although tiring, is not hard, because it is in a straight line without slopes. If we venture to make the hike in the rainy season it is recommended to take a plastic poncho (which can be purchased at any market in Cusco). If we regret wanting to walk we can take a train to make this journey for about US$ 31.

Whichever way you choose to get to Machu Picchu, it will have been worth it… and be honest, who does not get a swollen chest with joy when encountering this panorama?