Machu Picchu

WHY travel to Machu Picchu ? WHERE is Machu Picchu ? HOW to do it yourself and save some money

Why Travel to Machu Picchu? UNESCO World Heritage Site One of the New Seven Wonders of the World “Lost City of the Incas” Abandoned before Spanish Conquest in 1572 and rediscovered in 1911.

Where is Machu Picchu Machu Picchu is in Peru located in the Andes at the edge of the Amazon rain forest. It is at an altitude of 7000’ on the top of an old mountain. Closest main city is Cusco the former Incan capital 50 miles Southeast.

Machu Picchu

Where is Machu Picchu

Getting There Requires Trains, Planes and Automobiles Fly to Lima Fly to Cusco Train to Aguas Caliente Shuttle to Park Entrance

Schedule Day 1: Fly to Lima. Stay in Miraflores Day 2: Fly to Cusco. Tour Cusco Day 3: Train to Aguas Caliente. Explore Machu Picchu Day 4: Machu Picchu/Return to Cusco Day 5: Cusco to Lima. Explore Lima Day 6: Explore Lima Day 7: Return home

Step 1: Fly to Lima Fly to Lima: 15 to 20 hour flight costing about $1000 rt from Sacramento with 1 or 2 stops (LA or Houston) and (Mexico City or Panama City) Take $20 taxi ride to Miraflores Stay in Hostal El Patio ~$30 to $40 per night. Great location. Clean.

Step 2: Fly to Cusco 1 hour 15 minute flight. LAN airlines $200 round trip cost

Cusco Stay at Santa Catalina Hostal ~$20 to $30 per day Tour of Cusco: See cathedrals and museums. All within walking distance. Admission fees + guides: $50 Tour of Sacred Valley: $50

Step 3: Train to Aguas Caliente $50 one way backpacker class. Leaves about 7:30 am and arrives around 11am

Aguas Caliente Base camp to Machu Picchu $20 to $30 per night, Hotel Plaza. $15 round trip bus ticket to the park The entrance ticket is $20 a head for the first visit and $10 for subsequent visits on the following days. Guide: $10 to $20. Total: $140

Machu Picchu Climb Wayna Picchu Explore Machu Picchu

Cost Summary Flights Sacramento/Lima $1,000 Lima/Cusco $200 Train Cusco/Aguas Caliente $100 Taxis (8) $100 Hostals Miraflores(3) $120 Cusco(2) $40 Aguas Caliente (1) $30 Park Fee $25 Guides(3) $30 Bus $30 TOTAL$!675

Comparisons Day 1: Cuzco City Tour Day 2: Tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas Day 3: Machu Picchu Tour Day 4: Transfer to Airport / Bus Station Occupancy3 star4 star5 star Single$779$1029$1279 Do it yourself costs: $300 to $350

Price Comparison Highland Adventures from Lima with similar itinerary from $1440 Do it yourself from Lima for $700.

Summary You know now how to get to Machu Picchu. If you want to make your own arrangement you can save 50% compared to a tour package. Reference Material Can Be Found at:

Machu Picchu