It was a very early start this morning when the alarm clock sounded at 4:30 am. We dragged our buts out of bed, cleaned up and made our way to the train station, approximately a 15 minute walk. It was light and quite warm that time of day.
First of all, I want to start by letting anyone interested in visiting Machu Picchu what the cost is or at least what we paid for two. There are any number of options you can take but we chose the route of least resistance which was a little more expensive and all in Canadian Funds $CDN. For months we tried searching the net for going to Machu Picchu on our own without a tour but that appeared very difficult. You can save some money by hiking the 5-6 hour trek from Ollantaytambo to Aquas Calientes saving the train ticket and then hiking the grueling trail from Aquas to Machu Picchu. Thanks but no thanks!
1. Cab from Cusco to Ollantaytambo (return) approximate 2 hours.............. $90.00
2. Bus tickets on Peru Rail from Ollantaytambo to Aquas Calientes........... $320.00
3. Machu Picchu Tickets........................................................................ $126.00
4. Bus from Aquas Calientes to Machu Picchu......................................... $68.00
Grand Total............................................................................................ $604.00
Now I want to warn you that nothing about this adventure is cheap or simple. First of all, you have to purchase your tickets for everything except the cab/bus ride in advance. Peru Rail can be purchased on line but you have to visit their ticket office where ever to pickup printed tickets, so factor in another cab fare which I did not include just in case you like walking, like us. If you don't like standing in line like me, this may not be your gig! Is the price of admission worth the experience?? For me, NO! I should have just posted pictures from Lorne & Mildred's & Scotty's recent visit and saved myself $604 bucks! CAN YOU SAY RIP OFF!!
When we got there, there were thousands milling around being tacky tourists and taking ridiculous selfie photos, many being rude of course thinking they own the mountain. This is typical of most tourist traps! Not to mention it started raining the moment we arrived and continued through most of the day. This I have to blame Mother Nature!
Okay so having "slightly" trashed this sacred location that is visited by 1000's on a daily basis, it is truly spectacular. I am convinced that if you take this venue out of the Peruvian economy, it would be devastating. What is the first thing people think of when you mention Peru....Machu Picchu. So my opinion will mean diddly squat in the big picture and Machu Picchu will continue to draw millions of tourists!
First of all, I want to start by letting anyone interested in visiting Machu Picchu what the cost is or at least what we paid for two. There are any number of options you can take but we chose the route of least resistance which was a little more expensive and all in Canadian Funds $CDN. For months we tried searching the net for going to Machu Picchu on our own without a tour but that appeared very difficult. You can save some money by hiking the 5-6 hour trek from Ollantaytambo to Aquas Calientes saving the train ticket and then hiking the grueling trail from Aquas to Machu Picchu. Thanks but no thanks!
1. Cab from Cusco to Ollantaytambo (return) approximate 2 hours.............. $90.00
2. Bus tickets on Peru Rail from Ollantaytambo to Aquas Calientes........... $320.00
3. Machu Picchu Tickets........................................................................ $126.00
4. Bus from Aquas Calientes to Machu Picchu......................................... $68.00
Grand Total............................................................................................ $604.00
Now I want to warn you that nothing about this adventure is cheap or simple. First of all, you have to purchase your tickets for everything except the cab/bus ride in advance. Peru Rail can be purchased on line but you have to visit their ticket office where ever to pickup printed tickets, so factor in another cab fare which I did not include just in case you like walking, like us. If you don't like standing in line like me, this may not be your gig! Is the price of admission worth the experience?? For me, NO! I should have just posted pictures from Lorne & Mildred's & Scotty's recent visit and saved myself $604 bucks! CAN YOU SAY RIP OFF!!
When we got there, there were thousands milling around being tacky tourists and taking ridiculous selfie photos, many being rude of course thinking they own the mountain. This is typical of most tourist traps! Not to mention it started raining the moment we arrived and continued through most of the day. This I have to blame Mother Nature!
Okay so having "slightly" trashed this sacred location that is visited by 1000's on a daily basis, it is truly spectacular. I am convinced that if you take this venue out of the Peruvian economy, it would be devastating. What is the first thing people think of when you mention Peru....Machu Picchu. So my opinion will mean diddly squat in the big picture and Machu Picchu will continue to draw millions of tourists!
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