Machu Picchu by Car 2 Days: A Complete Review

Planning that big trip to Machu Picchu? Very often, that iconic image pops into our minds, you know? Maybe you’re imagining yourself standing there, that ancient city stretching out before you. Most folks automatically think about the train or hiking the Inca Trail. That’s pretty normal. But let’s talk about doing it a slightly different way: specifically, taking on Machu Picchu by car for a couple of days. Basically, it’s a less-traveled route, which can turn out to be quite the unique experience, you see?

Is Driving to Machu Picchu the right Choice?

Okay, so, first things first: Is driving a good call, like your best bet to get there? Well, that pretty much depends, in some respects, on what you are hoping for. If you really prize speed and convenience, very often the train might still be top dog. The ride from Cusco or Ollantaytambo is, that’s right, straightforward, actually. So, yet, when you want flexibility, like really seeing the countryside, and keeping things affordable, traveling by car tends to give you way more bang for your buck, arguably. You can, very often, set your own schedule, maybe stop at interesting places along the way, and all that good stuff, arguably. And that could change the whole vibe of your adventure, very, very much.

What’s the Drive Actually Like?

Driving from Cusco to Aguas Calientes, which is where you get access to Machu Picchu, more or less, that’s right, it involves a mix of paved roads and some unpaved sections, it seems, which might be rather bumpy in places. Mostly, the commonly chosen route, arguably the one people take, heads through the Sacred Valley, apparently passing towns such as Ollantaytambo before, that’s right, switching to a dirt road toward Abra Malaga. From there, usually you’ll need to get to Hydroelectrica, and finally take a train or walk to Aguas Calientes, which isn’t far, so. What’s good to keep in your head is, you know, these routes might, possibly, shift a bit based on construction or even weather. It’s almost always a good move to double-check with locals or tour guides before you go to make sure you’re not in for, let’s say, any unwelcome, kind of, shocks, possibly.

Do you know about Renting a Car for Your Trip?

Planning to rent a car in Cusco? Good move. You will want to, that is so true, sort of, compare various car rental spots. Don’t go just with the first one you see. Search for, like your best deals and what others are, basically, saying. Make sure you, arguably, book well before, especially if your trip is around that busy touristy time. Having that 4×4 would, really, be a smart thing, if you are planning to hit the road, because then, like, you won’t have to worry that much about crazy roads, so too it’s almost. Definitely get some, that is, insurance that’ll really have you covered if something does happen, but honestly it will give you piece of mind. Get the details right about driving permits, so, basically, all is according to, in other words, plan and how you imagine it should be, more or less.

Planning Your Two-Day Itinerary: Getting it right

When you, basically, plan that 2 day trip, like your itinerary, this is it. Okay? Plan it around a super early start on the first day, arguably when everyone starts off at about, seemingly, 4 or 5 AM. First get out to Hydroelectrica. So the views on the way down will just blow you away, seemingly. The afternoon is for, maybe, seeing Aguas Calientes. Maybe walk around, relax at those local hot springs. You want that Day Two to be for Machu Picchu. Jump on one of the first buses up to the site and get the guide to show you the tour around all those popular parts. If you’re feeling adventurous, so, look into Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain hikes if those hikes haven’t sold out. Try to budget things so that you aren’t that stressed about running back for the ride, more or less.

Day 1: Cusco to Aguas Calientes

Leave Cusco bright and pretty early, so the goal should be to get to Hydroelectrica, maybe after, seemingly, six or so hours on the road. It’s very common for folks to just park in Hydroelectrica for a tiny fee, almost like pocket money. Next, just a short train trip, that’s all, or, seemingly, about a two to three-hour stroll along those train tracks. But make certain, if you are hoofing it, to factor in time and stamina, alright? When you get to Aguas Calientes, go find that, just a little, lodging, grab something to eat and relax for that really big next day, actually.

Day 2: Experiencing Machu Picchu and Returning to Cusco

Second day starts at the crack of dawn. Jump on, just, those first buses getting you to Machu Picchu, alright? Try hooking up to a guide at the entry, because then you can really absorb that back story, so that guide will definitely have so many back stories, of course. Explore, wander around. Once you’re done at Machu Picchu, so that probably be late morning or noon, hop back on that bus to Aguas Calientes, and get moving toward Hydroelectrica for that ride back to Cusco, basically. Remember, that, actually, road is kind of long and can get sort of tiring; make sure you are careful and just, well, take breaks, very, very much. Getting to Cusco late that evening is also, totally, pretty standard, though, and nothing should surprise you with it.

Important Considerations and Recommendations

Going to Peru? I really, highly recommend bringing all the usual must-haves, things you, almost, usually pack, of course. Good shoes are critical. Very much needed. Very. Make it appropriate layers, right, since that, as a matter of fact, climate will change all around. You’re gonna have the sun, bugs, hydration packs. Plus all of your IDs, travel info, that type of thing, okay? It’s arguably a little smarter to maybe prep a small backpack. Keep a power bank and stuff in that bag too. Oh and of course, what is important and do not forget, those all personal meds you usually have, for example pain relievers or just any motion sickness medicine or whatever that, kind of, comforts you. Having snacks, it helps to kill time in the, how do you say it, middle of nowhere? Very normal to be mindful of all the local norms and have respect when you get into, you know, small neighborhoods. It’ll really do you wonders.

Be Mindful of Altitude Sickness

Cusco is really high up. It’s about 11,000 feet in altitude, very. That kind of thing, so, means there is just not a ton of oxygen at this altitude. Before even setting off, right, spend a day to ease into the climate. Relax. Try some local remedies, usually coca tea, so you don’t feel so horrible from altitude sickness, just you know, altitude sickness. Keep drinking tons of liquids and hold back on the heavy foods. You know, if you are feeling that way that isn’t getting any better, look at seeing a doctor; basically you don’t want altitude to mess the travel up, but it does happen, clearly.

Stay Safe on the Road

Okay driving that Peru’s roads it’s just kind of something else. And you definitely have to be prepared to keep it calm. I would say driving gets unpredictable; just always keep alert and don’t go fast. You really want to keep track of weather so you, typically, won’t drive right into some unexpected mudslides, as a matter of fact. Take some locals seriously, you know, you see a protest ahead or something. Just watch out and ask about road statuses. Be okay with tweaking your itinerary, very, so just don’t ruin it and just drive carefully instead, literally.

Budgeting for Your Car Trip: How much does it all actually cost?

Setting a budget needs to be based on how you go for traveling, you understand? Rentals are anywhere in range like $40 to $60 a day. Now for lodging at Aguas Calientes I can’t exactly tell the number; what I can tell you instead that hostels usually are more affordable that boutique hotels are. Factor those fees for gas, entry passes, guides if you like a little help at the site, and even meals in Aguas Calientes, and that will do to know what, actually, all expenses are around this trip. Getting a better idea on average for, say, rental, fees or permits is, basically, super easy checking ahead by seeing it, more or less, at those websites; this is going to help plan your amount a great bunch, typically.

Cost-Saving Tips for the Savvy Traveler

Who does love saving up a little on these trips? Travel with folks; costs often chop when, you know, gas and stuff like rental divide into parts! Try maybe those restaurants those local hang around and just buy meals in bulk from superstores when it is very okay for keeping meals down. Book way earlier and then check often whether your accommodations would drop the price for you; hotels usually let travelers tweak reservation if, like, they go lower prices to you, typically. Usually pick up a rental vehicle away than airports when they have lower charges around, actually.

Are there other Options for Getting Around?

Peru, with so many things available out there that you want from, you do have options. If the automobile just isn’t vibing, so what is vibing?, like buses and trains just maybe fit right to it as well, apparently. A Train just from Cusco into Aguas Calientes can come off being so convenient if getting those drivers on just isn’t, really, ideal, so at the very least. What could save expense instead of those cabs is the, literally, bus; these things get traveling to town-like stations cheaper-style for a super smaller number, basically. Hiring cabs may be what can ease trips particularly if wanting personal service, actually, just note rides should price, anyway, always and should confirm those figures with the driver. Then again so that one could check all advantages when having personal taste needs.

Combining Transportation Methods

And you know if I can give tips here mixing things together is never terrible either. Just ride any, for instance, train route coming through just any main towns like Cusco coming all over coming near and probably have the shuttle for something like shorter travels or parts off from cities such! Then you get your cake! Having that mix with modes provides traveling at just much less of hit toward just those pocket costs whilst always viewing much, but it will have travel being adjustable and effective so!

Is There Really Something Unique About Driving

Selecting to hit just parts off across parts off at such country, very well it gives really uncommon stuff versus probably regular tour; rather, like, just going from one town directly up at one spot lets to stop. At that site of Ollantaytambo? To maybe see its ruins which look spectacular. The sight through landscapes is beyond spectacular since traveling! You get tasting the culinary dish locals will, for certain, just never do that across pre-planned journey sets probably!. To experience the atmosphere fully would mean this to travel so is all, so probably for driving the ride gets to the travel as itself with you viewing through Peru as never been! In which, just do so too or be missing!

• Flexibility: Control your own timetable.
• Scenic routes: Observe Peru’s amazing scenes.
• Budget: Make that more feasible that touring as planned, mostly once with folk travelers who help separate costs alongside people!
• Real Travel insight: You might learn through community customs or see many vistas not found off usual avenues usually.
• Care & Watch: Road trips could get rather difficult plus could necessitate extra watches in traveling plus awareness during travels!

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