Discover Machu Picchu in a Cheap Way

No wonder that one of the 7 wonders of the world, Machu Picchu is a place so visited and much loved by tourists. The mountain, which is located in Peru, in addition to being quite a landscape, is the cradle of many stories and meanings.

Here you will find out how to get to and discover Machu Picchu more cheaply. In addition to knowing some curiosities and the real meaning of this place so energized and well known.

 

 

How to Get to Machu Picchu Cheaply

You can go to Machu Picchu from Cusco or Ollantaytambo. In that sense, as we were doing Workaway in Ollantaytambo, we took a van from there and paid 100 soles ($26.08) each.

Then, we went to Santa Tereza, we were recommended by locals to stay at least one day to get to know Cocalmayo. Or rather, the natural pools of thermal and super crystalline waters of Cocalmayo.

The place is surrounded by mountains providing more charm and wonderful views. In addition to enjoying a relaxing hot water bath.

Cocalmayo is a set of pools of crystal clear thermal waters and its temperature can vary between 38 to 44 degrees celsius. Entry is 10 soles per person ($2.61) and the time allowed to use the pools is 1 hour and a half.

 

 

>>> Learn how to explore more of Machu Picchu with the people of Tour Guides Peru <<<

 

On the way to Machu Picchu – Santa Tereza to the Hydroelectric

In the morning of the next day, leaving Santa Tereza, we took a local car at the city's bus station, where we spent 7 soles (US$1.83) each. Where we were taken to the hydroelectric plant, or rather, on the train track.

So, here's the trick: the town of Águas Calientes is only accessible on foot, 2 hours walking by the hydroelectric as we did, or by train. Train fare can range from $60 to $200 depending on where you depart.

So, to save money and enjoy the journey, we chose to walk along the train path. In this way, we get to know a little about the Peruvian Amazon, which is one of the territories with the greatest biodiversity on the planet.

As well, the forest covers two natural regions: high jungle and low jungle, and the forest occupies more than 60% of Peru. It was an incredible feeling to know that we were passing through the most important forest in the world.

 

 

On the way to Machu Picchu – Hydroelectric to Aguas Calientes

A caminhada pela hidrelétrica ao todo pode variar em torno de 2h, vai depender do seu ritmo e paradas para tirar foto. Lembrando gente que tenha atenção para a passagem de trens. Eles normalmente buzinam, mas fiquem com os ouvidos sempre atentos.

Also, I recommend that before taking the hike, use and bring repellent, there are many mosquitoes there.

 

Discovering the town of Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes

To enjoy a little of the city and get to know its surroundings, we recommend that you spend at least one day in the village. The town is very small and Peruvian, where it has local shops full of handcrafts. As well as streets with several inviting restaurants and the famous Baños Termales.

Similar to Cocalmayo, Thermal Baths is also composed of several naturally heated pools, in addition to the green landscapes that surround it. Its entrance costs 20 soles (US$5.25) and it also has a time to stay in the place, with 1 hour and a half to enjoy.

 

 

How to get from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu Mountain

You can go up either by bus or on foot to one of the seven wonders of the world. We decided to take the bus and walk down to the starting point for the train trail, which gives access to the hydroelectric.

The ticket for the bus costs US$12 each and only once, that is, one way or the other..

 

 

Entrance to Machu Picchu

To get to know Machu Picchu in depth, we hire and recommend Tour Guides Peru. They are extremely prepared and have a huge knowledge of the place. In addition to sharing your information, we were super satisfied with the service and the ease of making us understand each meaning of the Inca era.

In the same sense, the entrance to Machu Picchu is recommended to be purchased well in advance, as due to the pandemic the government has limited the number of visitors. In other words, you can visit only with a scheduled date and time.

You can buy the Machu Picchu ticket at this link here. Just like when we went, in June 2022, we paid 152 soles each (US$39.71). An extra tip is to enter before 10am, as this is the time when it receives the most people.

Therefore, we booked the Llaqta Circuit of Machu Picchu (Circuit 1, 2, 3 or 4) and did the most traditional and complete one, which is 4. In the meantime, the circuits are signposted with signs and at some points there is a guard to indicate each circuit.

 

 

 

>>> Learn how to explore more of Machu Picchu with the people of Tour Guides Peru <<<

 

Curiosities of one of the Seven Wonders of the World

The monument is only 2,000 meters above sea level, the real name of the city lived by the Incas is not known. In other words, “Machu Picchu” was a name given after the discovery of the lost city.

The entire structure is made of huge rocks, and it is said that at the time of the Inca Empire they did not know the wheel, so everything indicates that they used brute force to carry each stone.

Also, another curiosity of the place is that you don't make the way back, it's just one way. In other words, you can stop, take a picture, or even sit somewhere. However, then you need to continue the path straight ahead and not go back the same way you did inside Machu Picchu.

The best time to go to Machu Picchu is from May to September. Because it is the driest time of the year and less likely to have clouds in the mountains.

 

 

A bit of the History of Machu Picchu

In Machu Picchu, lived between three hundred and a thousand inhabitants and the place became famous as a lost city. Yeah, they say the Spanish never found it, but it's not known if it's real. On the other hand, there was an American called Hiram Bingham who arrived in the place, “discovered it” and wrote a book The Lost City.

According to the American, he mentions in his diary that when he arrived at Machu Picchu there was graffiti of another person on one of the rocks. Concluding that someone had passed there before him, however, when he wrote the book, he decided to omit this information to make it grander and value his find.

 

 

Arrival of the Spanish

In contrast, it also has records that the Spanish already knew Machu Picchu, but there is no information about the purpose they arrived. Because it was a small town and it was probably just a tourist destination, and they weren't interested in sightseeing.

In other words, the Spanish were looking for wealth, precious stones and slaves, and when they found none of these, the city was abandoned.

Even the American who discovered Machu Picchu in 1911 was looking elsewhere. Or rather, he was looking for Vilcabamba, the last city and refuge of the Incas. As he passed through the various trails, local people helped Hiram with information.

Finally, the man followed the directions for destiny, in his thoughts for Vilcabamba, and ended up discovering a new city, which today is one of the seven wonders of the world.

 

 

 

>>> Learn how to explore more of Machu Picchu with the people of Tour Guides Peru <<<

 

Cultivation and Planting in the Inca Empire

As Moray, in one of the seven wonders of the world, it also has terrazas where crops were cultivated. Likewise, each terraza had a different microclimate.

In this sense, in the temple of the sun where, in addition to an altar, they used it as an astronomical calendar. As well as, depending on the direction the sun rose and reflected the rays, the Incas knew when it was summer or winter solstice. Thus, they had knowledge when was the best time to plant and cultivate.

As far as planting, their water distribution process was also quite interesting. Where these terrazas retained rainwater, and it was taken through the canals, or channels, scattered in the city of Machu Picchu, supplying the population.

 

 

Conclusion

Machu Picchu is certainly an incredible place and an irresistible destination to visit and want to know more in person. Each story and corner of Cidade Perdida has an important meaning and it is worth listening to and feeling more of this place.

That's why I strongly recommend that Machu Picchu be included in your travel and destination list to visit at least once in your life.

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