HI, we were in Cusco last week and were very annoyed finding that the train ride to MP is minimum 40 US Dollars and then no money is going to the locals but to Orient Express!

There is a way around it, where u can stay in local communities who appreciate some tourism. Read below the description from our friends James and Kerry, Landrover drivers.:

Ollaytatambo was at mile 50 from Cusco. Drive through the Plaza over a small bridge heading towards the ruins. At the ruins turn left for the route to Quillabamba, there is a small dirt road section then onto paved road for 13miles of switchbacks.

Then there are some road works and the road alternates between paved and dirt but no bad sections although you are still climbing. There is a possible camp spot about 19miles from Ollay but it is at 4000m so better to carry on.

After 24miles from Ollay of climbing you make the pass at 4350m and begin the descent, the orad is now entirely dirt but in pretty good condition. About 59miles from Ollay you come to a run of villages where there couls be camping on fields, this now being at 1600m. Otherwise continue on to Santa Maria where there are hostals etc.

There is a left turn in Santa Maria to take you across the bridge towards Santa Teresa. lat -13,00705 long -72,63372 the journey from here is about 2 hours on winding dirt roads. There is a sharp turn to the right on route that is easily missed - coords are lat -13,02963 long -72,62611

There is safe, enclosed parking at the Medico centre, the whole town is very friendly. We were not asked for any money but we gave a token 20soles to Senora Rosa for their hospitality and security.

From here to get to Machu Picchu we walked about 15mins to catch a camion to HydroElectrika. Ask any locals and they will point you in the right direction. The trip is only 20mins and costs 4soles per person but it beats a not very interesting walk. From the Hydro train station we decided to walk the tracks as there is only one train a day around 3:30. The walk is easy and beautiful and takes about 2.5hrs to get to Puentos Ruinas where we camped in the campsite for 15soles per tent. Aguas Calientas is a further 2km. The campsite is ideal for the early morning trek up to the entrance - whish took us about 1hr. Gates opened dead on 6am.

Hope this helps anyone else. Keep well, safe journey and keep in touch.

James and Kerry.

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Martin and Katja Wickert
www.twintraveller.com
mail@twintraveller.com

hey twintravellers!

thanks a lot for posting that information here, that's exactly what i will try to do when i'm back in South America! Never heard about that possibility before.

Greetings

Marco
http://www.schnueriger.net

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Marco
http://www.schnueriger.net

Hey guys,
thank for that info. For me it is too late (i neither did know about that route, so we took that train). Very exepnsive for tourists.
Well, but when others want to visit Machu Picchu visit also the little mountain behind the "town" and walk from the absolute top down to the "templo de la luna". Nice route and very rarely used.
There is the posibility to leave your backpack at a guards house where you have to register right after the last house of the inca town. Well we did it and a multitool (Leatherman) was stolen out of the bagby the guard! So be careful what you leave in the bag.
Anyway, enjoy your trip
Burnout1

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www.moto-adventure.ch - just THE page about touring Europe and South america by bike!

Great post! Have often wondered if anyone has taken a good look at the train schedule and ridden the railway tracks to Aguas Calientes ... looks easy enough and would make a great story, but I never had the cojones

James

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James Courtier