connections Cuzco -Ollantaytambo - AguasCalientes -MachuPicchu
Replies: 10 - Last Post: Jun 27, 2012 4:02 PM Last Post By: rjonsun
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connections Cuzco -Ollantaytambo - AguasCalientes -MachuPicchu
Hi everybody,I am trying to organize my visit to MachuPicchu and looking for the most time/cost effecive solution.
I think I will travel from Cuzco to Ollantaytambo and from there take a train to AguasCalientes and sleep there.
I will be arriving to Cuzco from Arequipa and it would be great if I could travel straight to AguasCalientes but I think it will be a little difficult to match all the departure times of the many buses and trains I have to take.
What do you think about it?
Anyway, I would like to ask you a few things about this trip to MP.
Are there straight buses from Cuzco to Ollantaytambo and at what times?
If there are enought I may be able to catch a bus the same day I arrive in Cuzco and maybe spleep there rather then sleep in AguasCalientes.
Or should I sleep in Cuzco once I arrive and then the next day travel to MachuPicchu on a day trip basis without sleeping in Aguas?
How many train companies operate the Ollantaytambo/AguasCalientes route?
Do you know of any clean place to stay in AguasCalientes and Ollantaytambo?
Do you know of any travel agency in Lima selling tickets for MP? The web site was denied by VISA to accept payments.
Thanks!
2
There is no way of getting out of the expensive peru rail fare. I read it was one of the most expensive rail trips in the world (not sure if its right).Though Ollanta isn't too far away from Cusco, so you should be able to get there straight away. But why the rush? Cusco is a great place to chill out for a few days.
3
Ollantaytambo is worth at least a half day visit, if not a full day. Why the rush?Get your tickets for MP first, before you book the train.
Edited by: 3DLen
4
Good luck getting tickets to MP--look at messages from last week below. You need to have your hotel or tourist agency get tickrets for you as VISA will not approve transactions with peru Gov agency who was selling tickets.Recommend that you Get tickets from either Ollan or Cusco first. Couple years ago we arrived in Cuso on a Sunday and could not get tickets until Friday because of all of the tourists in town.
Think that in Sept we will do Ollan first to get acclimated to altitude and do Cusco after MP. Like you we came from Ariquipa to Cusco and the altitude at Cusco still bothered me for a few days. Did not get sick, just really tired until I got used to altitude.
5
Thanks for the info guys!The rush is mainly because I only have few days to spend in Peru and trying to fit in everything that most attracts my attention and also I want to make sure I get everything nice and planned because I will get to Peru in Aug (pick season!).
It seems like the morning bus gets to Cuzco at about 2.30pm so I might be able to reach AguasCalientes for the night and if I buy a late train ticket to AC.
Do you think is safe to reach AC late at night?
Are there straight buses from Cuzco to Ollantaytambo and at what times?
How many train companies operate the Ollantaytambo/AguasCalientes route?
6
AC is fine late at night. Its a tourist town, so you will have to be aware and alert, but its as safe as any town in Peru.Buses go to Ollanta pretty regularly. Not sure of times but.
Peru Rail are the only company that operates the train route, and it can be very expensive.
Book your MP tickets, then book your Train tickets!
8
as you see in the other replies, it's very important to get the ticket for Machu Picchu first!!! Your entrance ticket and train tickets you can also buy through an agency in Cusco who can plan the timetable correctly. The last train for tourists to Aguas Calientes is at 6pm from Ollantaytambo. There are other companies now, yes, but Perurail has the most trains..Buy your tickets soon, because August is very high season!
10
You can get a tourist train from Ollanta to A|C at 7 PM for about $47. I think there is a later train at 9 PM for a few dollars cheaper. Our 7 PM train was full and there were people left stranded in Ollanta because there wasn't room on the train and they wouldn't sell them a seat in the "local" section of the train.We arrived in A|C with no hotel reservations and there were a few touts hawking their hostel for as little as 20 Soles per person. We stayed at a very nice hotel at the end of the soccer field called Hotel Imperial. It is new, clean and a little on the expensive side, $80 per night, but we were happy.
Regards,
Bob
