Machu Picchu Travel Forum

How do you get up to the top of Machu Picchu? I know we will arrive by train in Agua Calientes. But she will not be able to hike up the mountain. How do you get to top of mountain?

There are frequent buses that run from Agua Calientes down in the valley all the way up to the top of Machu Picchu. So your mom can expect to walk on fairly level ground around the ruins.

We actually hiked up from AC because we were too cheap to pay for the bus. This hike goes along the railroad tracks until you come to the switchback road the buses take. There is a trail straight up that crosses the switchbacks and it is the same trail that the local kids use when they race the buses down to get tips from the amazed passengers who see the same kids appear at each switchback all the way down the mountain.

Another way to get to the top is via helicopter. We saw some celebs get out of one when we were there. They were dressed like movie stars, but the spell was broken with they were surrounded by picture taking tourists.

I hear that there is a very expensive hotel at the top where you can stay and have to ruins all to yourself in the evening after all the buses have left.

Have a great trip!

I guess you know that it is a good idea to spend some time adjusting to the climate? A good friend of mine, nearly 10 years younger than your mother and in apparently very good health, suffered severe altitude sickness and chest pains at the top.

From Aguas Calientes buses go to MP. No hiking up to MP entrance needed.

Helicopter flights have been suspended for some years now. As well as that weather (low clouds) is/has been often a limitation for those flights.

AC and MP in fact are lower than Cusco.
Soroche, altitude sickness, is unpredictable. Has been known that sometimes young, healthy people suffer where older and non-sporty people (like me) never had serious problems apart from feeling tired quickly.

I am now in Peru (again) and there is serious talking in the press here about breaking the Peru Rail monopoly. Two other companies, finally, are applying for permits.

Thank you that was exactly the information I was looking for. Great info. I am a little worried about her up there with the altitude and we are on a tight schedule. Only 6 days in Peru. We live at sea level too. Maybe I had better rethink taking her on this journey. Thanks again.

I have just been reading all the post's and I just wanted to clarify a few things.... I think taking a bus to Machu Picchu is no problem. That is what I would suggest looking into. If your asking about hiking the actual mountain that is at Machu Picchu it is called Huayna Picchu I don't know that I would recommend taking your 8o year old relative up that mountain. There is plenty to see and do besides hiking the mountain (Huayna Picchu) The sites in an around the mountain are amazing. If you do decided to hike Huayna Picchu you only have a certain window of time to do it in. Since I wanted to do the hike I actually feel I did not get as much time as I would have like in and around all the ruins. I hope this makes sense.

Let me know if you have any other questions

One more thing.. you can get medication from your doctor before leaving that helps with altitude sickness. Good Luck!

Note that Cusco altitude is 3300m/10,800ft, while Machu Picchu is only 2430m/8,000ft.

You are much more likely to have altitude problems going up from sea level Lima to Cusco, than when going down from Cusco to Machu Picchu.

You can go from Aguascalientes to the entrance of Machu Pichu by bus, that is the most comfortable way to get there. Once there as Machu Pichu is a mountain you will expect to climb up and down several steps to see the ruins, as it's not a flat terrain up there. And Regarding the altitude, if you live at sea level, it will be an issue if you arrive to Cusco. I'm 36, live at 1500m about the sea level, and i felt bad in Cuzco(3400m), so reserve some days to aclimate the altitude.