How to visit Machu Picchu without a guide
Being such a tourist destination, you’d think Machu Picchu would be easier to access than it is. Instead, getting to Machu Picchu takes numerous forms of transportation and many hours from the Sacred Valley. And unless you decide to trek the classic Inca Trail, you’ll be utilizing a car, a train, and a bus to get you there.
Getting to Machu Picchu without a tour guide is easier than you might think, too. With just a few steps you can easily access one of the most incredible Wonders of the World on your own. And save yourself hundreds of dollars per person in the process.
Here’s how to visit Machu Picchu without a guide:
Where is Machu Picchu Mountain?
Located in the rural mountains of the Sacred Valley of Peru, Machu Picchu is high in the mountains above the small tourist town of Aguas Calientes. Aguas Calientes, the base of any expedition to Machu Picchu, is only accessible by train or the Inca trail.
Can you go to Machu Picchu without a guide?
Absolutely! Getting to Machu Picchu without a guide is entirely doable. This option will save you hundreds of dollars per person compared to booking a guided experience. The only thing to know is you need to be organized to do it. There are a few steps in the process but this guide will help you through all the steps along the way!
Travel Tip! If you decide you want a guide for Machu Picchu you can still follow the steps below and then hire a guide in Aguas Calientes for a fraction of the price.
Renting a car in Cusco
Though you can get to Machu Picchu from Cusco, the day is terribly long and will inconvenience you more than staying in the Sacred Valley. Plus, the Sacred Valley has so much to offer that I highly recommending spending 3-4 days within it.
One of the easiest and best ways to explore the Sacred Valley is renting a car in Cusco. You’ll have a lot more freedom to wander the small towns while stopping to take photos of the epic mountains along the way. You’ll also be able to access the Inca Ruins and even the Maras Salt Flats on your own. This alone will will save you hundreds of dollars by just paying the entrance fee without a guide.
Plus, it’s well worth renting a car just to stop along the way for the amazing views!
Driving in the Sacred Valley is very easy, too. The roads are in great condition. Though they do go through the mountains, you’ll quickly feel confident driving in the Sacred Valley.
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Where to get your rental car
We booked our rental car through Sixt Rental at the Cusco International Airport. I always recommend comparing your car rental options using AutoSlash, but Sixt tends to be the cheapest option by far in Cusco.
I’d recommend renting the car upon arrival to the airport or stay a couple of days in Cusco before renting a car to return the day you are flying out. Either way, the car rentals are all right next to the airport so it will be easy to get in and or out of town.
The cars will not be premium vehicles in Peru, or at least that’s not my experience. If your rental is anything like mine, it’ll likely be scratched up to the point you might ask, “how will they even know if I messed anything up?”. But it will get you there.
Where to stay in the Sacred Valley
There are some great towns within the Sacred Valley that can all be jumping off points for day trips to some incredible destinations. Though there are plenty of great hotels, I recommend a unique experience of an Airbnb in the mountains.
I highly recommend The Glass House. The house is absolutely incredible and the experience is even better.
Visiting Machu Picchu from the Sacred Valley
I. Getting from your accommodation to the Ollantaytambo train station
If you get your own rental car you’ll have a much easier time getting to the Ollantaytambo train station for the your trip to Machu Picchu. However, you can easily hire a driver to take you and pick you up from Ollantaytambo.
Depending in where you are staying in the Sacred Valley your trip to Ollantaytambo can take up to an hour and a half. You’ll want to account for the time getting from your accommodations, time to park (if you have a rental car), and getting to the train station.
Parking in Ollantaytambo
There are many local lots for parking on the small road leading to the entrance to the train station. Many of these parking lots are run by teenagers with minimal English. At least with my experience in our lot, we paid when we returned based on the amount of time we were gone. Parking was just $2.50 for the entire day and easy to find.
II. How to take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
First, know that you’ll want to buy your train tickets in advance, especially during busy season. You have two service options, IncaRail and PeruRail for your train journey. They are basically the same experience, so just compare ticket prices for the class of service you’re interested in.
Know that IncaRail and PeruRail train cost are both super overpriced. You can save money on your train tickets by taking the earliest train and last train of the day. We opted to take a nicer train to Machu Picchu in the early morning that included a show within the bar car and boxed snack meal, too. And opted for the lowest class ticket back to Ollantaytambo. It was nice having the balance of experiences.
III. Getting from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
Aguas Calientes is the base to exploring Machu Picchu. The town is full of souvenir stalls and small hotels catering towards tourists but it is also absolutely beautiful.
If you have an early ticket to Machu Picchu, you might decide to take a day bag (large luggage is not allowed on the train) to Aguas Calientes and stay the evening before your timed ticket. Typically, you’ll keep your hotel or Airbnb in the Sacred Valley and book your night in Aguas Calientes so you can leave your baggage.
Travel Tip! If you decide to spend the night in Aguas Calientes, you’ll need my travel hack to using Hotels.com!
III. Take the Bus Ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
If you arrive the same day or arrive the evening before, you’ll need to head to the bus station and purchase tickets to get up the switchback road to the peak.
Don’t want to take the bus? You can reach Machu Picchu for free by simply walking up the mountain. But be warned: it’s a long walking distance with many steps — all at high elevations. If you want to say you hiked Machu Picchu, you could always take the bus to the peak and walk back to town.
Getting back to the Sacred Valley
Getting back to the Sacred Valley is the exact opposite of getting there. Once you’re finished exploring the mountain you can head back out to the area you arrived at and you’ll wait in line for the next bus. Once in Aguas Calientes, you’ll head back to the train station for your timed train ticket. (Easy enough, right?)
Travel Tip! Plan enough time back to Aguas Calientes to enjoy lunch or dinner in town. The shops are pretty much all the same but you can find some great places to eat around town.
Tickets To Machu Picchu
While you can easily visit without a guide, you cannot enter Machu Picchu without entry tickets. You must purchase entrance tickets in advance, as they are not sold at the entrance. If you want to explore Machu Picchu without a guide I recommend you purchase your entrance ticket at least a week in advance as they are limited and do sell out. In Aguas Calientes, entry tickets can be bought at the Machu Picchu Cultural Centre.
Bottom Line
You don’t need a guide when visiting Machu Picchu! You can easily save yourself hundreds of dollars by doing all the steps in the process yourself. Just be organized and book early. Join my weekly newsletter for even more ways you can save on travel.
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