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There are three trails leading to Machu Picchu. The most traversed of these, the 'Inca Trail' is 33km (20.5mi) in distance, usually a four-day hike. It begins near the village of Chilca at Piscacucho, northwest of Cuzco in the Sacred Valley, and finishes near Intipunku (Sun Gate) on the south side of Machu Pichu.
Aguas Calientes, the village just below the ruins, is where the train arrives from Cuzco. From here, a tightly winding 8km (5mi) road leads up the mountain to Machu Picchu. Unless you arrive on foot, entry to Machu Picchu is via a gate on its southeastern side. About 100m (328ft) further on is the mazelike main entrance.
The ruins can be roughly divided into two areas separated by a series of plazas.
Getting There
Most trekking agencies run tour buses to the start of the Inca Trail near the village of Chilca at Piscacucho, aka Km 82 on the railway to Aguas Calientes. On foot, the trail brings you to Intipunku (Sun Gate), the entrance to the site.
If trekking isn't your thing, catch the train from Cuzco to Aguas Calientes. Buses for Machu Picchu leave from a ticket office along the main road for the 8km (5mi) trip up the mountain (25min). Departures are hourly, roughly between and the early afternoon, plus extra buses when trains arrive. Otherwise, it's a 20-minute walk from Aguas Calientes to Puente Ruinas, where the road to the ruins crosses the Río Urubamba, near the museum. A breathtakingly steep, but well-marked trail climbs another 2km (1.2mi) to Machu Picchu, taking about an hour one-way. Buses return from the ruins when full, with the last departure usually around .
Getting Around
Don't forget your hiking boots - the main Inca Trail is a four-day trek. Remember that there are shorter (and less crowded) trails if you're not up for the challenge. You'll also need a good sleeping bag, rain gear, warm clothes, insect repellent, sunblock, a flashlight, first-aid supplies and water-purification tablets.
The Machu Picchu site must also be explored on foot, unless you're planning to ride on someone's shoulders. Whack a plaster on your blisters and get up early!
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