What a day!!!!! It took me longer than expected to get to Aguas Calientes… Half way through it started to get foggy and pretty cold with around 5 degrees Celsius. And of course if that would have not been enough it also started to rain… A great combination.
Purchase Machu Picchu Ticket
Before hitting the road I was purchasing my Machu Picchu ticket for the next day in the official ticket shop in Cusco (there is also one in Aguas Calientes). When you could explore the famous Inca ruins for a complete day in the past, the situation changed today and you have to choose between the morning or the afternoon. Don’t forget your passport!
Oficina de reservas – Casa Garcilaso
Calle Garcilaso SN – Museo Casa Garcilaso
Monday – Saturday 07:00 – 19:30
+51 84 255805
+51 84 582030 (2000)
Check availability of spots and prices, or purchase your tickets directly online here.
The Trip from Cusco to Aguas Calientes
It took me 5 hours to Santa Teresa, one hour more than anticipated. I was happy that it did not rain the whole time through since it quite delayed my arrival time and I still had to walk 2 hours up to Aguas Calientes.
The scenery was breathtaking… Huge mountains painted in all different colours of green. Even though the weather conditions could have been better, I really missed the Andes after spending quite a long time at the beaches of Brazil.
Stop at Ollantaytambo
My first highlight even before reaching Machu Picchu was Ollantaytambo, the last Inca settlement of the Sacred Valley in the West. While driving on cobblestone streets through the cute little town, I suddenly approached directly the famous Inca ruins. Like a stairway to heaven they have been built into the mountains and left a first taste of what to possibly expect from Machu Picchu. I was excited!
A lot of “Twisties”
When I enjoyed the first part of the day to Ollantaytambo, I simply loved the road to Santa Maria which was coming next! Curve after curve the twisty road was making its way steep through the mountains, requiring all of my attention. So much fun, if there would have not been suddenly the rain and the cold at the top of the mountain pass. When I loved my gloves from Heldt in Brazil, I hated them suddenly in the Andes, lol. My fingers were freezing cold… However, luckily the rain did not last for very long and the conditions changed drastically again the closer I came to Santa Teresa.
The last stretch of road between Santa Maria (I missed the exit in Santa Maria, be careful here otherwise you keep on riding for ever 
and Santa Teresa was a well maintained dirt road along a river and the beautiful mountains. Simply breathtaking!!!!!!
The Hidroelectrica
Arriving in Santa Teresa, I asked locals for the train station – the hidroelectrica – from where you can either take a train or hike up to Aguas Calientes. I decided to go for the later option, parked my bike at a close by secure parking lot and left my motorcycle clothes, boots and helmet with the “security guard” (I left my luggage in the hostel of Cusco and only had a small backpack with me).
Apparently, I was not the only one who intended to hike up to the “basecamp” of Machu Picchu and joined a group of backpackers along the way. The hike up to Aguas Calientes took me around 2 hours and was absolutely enjoyable along the treks of the Hidroelectrica and the green lush vegetation of the mountains.
Aguas Calientes – Where to Stay
Aguas Calientes is not really a nice place to spent more time than necessary and I was glad I only spent one night in the highly touristy village. Since I wanted to ride the next day back again to Cusco I decided to take the train down to Santa Teresa and bought my ticket at the train station.
Furthermore, I already purchased my bus tickets (return) to Machu Picchu for the next early morning. Exhausted from the day, I negotiated the price for a room in an affordable hotel (Eco Machu Picchu Pueblo), had dinner in a restaurant close by and went early to bed.
The next day should be spectacular.
Summary
- Purchase your ticket in Cusco.
- Drive to Santa Teresa (leave latest at 9 am) and park your bike close to the train station (ride takes 4-5 hours). Leave your motorbike clothes, boots and helmet with the guard.
- Either take the train – Hidroelectrica or walk along the tracks.
- Get your bus tickets in Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (return) the evening in advance.
Read here the second part of the report.