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Hydroelectric: Economic route to Machu Picchu

Rumbo a Hidroeléctrica

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to get to Machu Picchu is taking a bus or car trip to Hidroeléctrica and then a 3 to 4-hour walk. This trip is ideal for people who do not want to spend excessively or have an adventure through the high jungle of Cusco. This walk receives that name because it starts from the Machu Picchu Hydroelectric Power Station. Although this visit can last two days, it is quite an adventure that can be ideal to share with friends, family and even to meet new people who are encouraged to do this walk. Let’s learn more about this economic route to get to Machu Picchu.

What is the Hydroelectric Power Plant in Machu Picchu?

The Machu Picchu Hydroelectric power station is located within the territory declared as a natural heritage. This plant uses the waters of the Vilcanota or Urubamba River, the name it receives in this region, to generate electricity. In this way, the total supply of electricity is ensured in regions such as Cusco, Abancay, and Puno. This plant is of vital importance for the Peruvian population in general, since electrical energy is essential so that all economic and non-economic items can continue to function normally.

After this brief introduction and knowing a little more about the importance of this plant, we can only indicate the role it has on the route to Machu Picchu, but before that, indicate that this place also has a train station that can use the Peruvian population of Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, and surroundings. Near the Hydroelectric Power Station, you can find a small train station that was initially used by company workers and later became a train station for families who settled both in Machu Picchu Pueblo and in these areas. This small train station is the last one that operates the entire eastern section, since from this point a connection is already achieved with towns in the province of La Convención, which is effectively where the bus leaves those who wish to hike to Machu Picchu.

The route by Hydroelectric to Machu Picchu

Signs on the way to Machu Picchu and Hydroelectric
Signs on the way to Machu Picchu and Hydroelectric
 

As we have just mentioned, the way to get to Hidroeléctrica is by car or bus that connects Cusco with La Convención. So the first section of the trip, by bus, is to leave Cusco in the direction of Santa María, Santa Teresa, and then arrive at this place. Both places that we mentioned belong to the province of La Convención and to get to these places you have to follow the road that connects Cusco with Quillabamba. Follow this path until you reach Santa María. From Santa María, you have to take a detour to Santa Teresa and continue with the trip to Hidroeléctrica. All this trip can take about 4 to 5 hours on average.

After this relatively long journey. The walk to Machu Picchu Pueblo begins, and the time of the walk will depend a lot on the physical condition of each person. However, it will be important to do it calmly to avoid injury or excessive fatigue. It is important to detail that the visit to the archaeological site will take place the next day. That is, the first day you leave Cusco and travel to Hidroeléctrica, from this place is where the walk begins to Machu Picchu Pueblo or Aguas Calientes where you will spend the night, of course after dinner. On the second day, the long-awaited ascent to Machu Picchu begins, which can be done on foot, but it is recommended to do it by bus.

So now we have to talk about how is the climb to Machu Picchu. For this, you will have to take into account the time of entry to the archaeological site. The ideal time to do the Hydroelectric Tour is to enter the sanctuary early. That is, before 7 in the morning. In this way, the interested party must be ready with their belongings, drinks, or snacks to make the ascent. The ascent can also be done on foot along a path made up of steps and the second most recommended option is by bus. You can access the bus services both on the outbound and return legs. It would be important to make these trips by bus to avoid returning tired. The return to Cusco will be by the same path by which we arrived at Machu Picchu Pueblo or Aguas Calientes. That is, we have to walk back to Hidroeléctrica.

Other ways to get to Machu Picchu

In case you have any doubts or questions, you can write to us through our social networks both on Facebook or Instagram looking for us as Machupicchu Terra. Here we leave you some other options that you can consider or take into account to get to Machu Picchu. Before that, mention that the only two ways to get to Machu Picchu Pueblo are by train or walking. Remember that Machu Picchu Pueblo is the obligatory step for those who wish to visit the wonder of the world.

Regarding train travel, there is not much to talk about, just clarify that there are 3 stations that allow any traveler to get to Machu Picchu Pueblo or Aguas Calientes. You can make the trip from Cusco, with the Wánchaq station, and on some dates when the San Pedro station is enabled. Another station is Poroy, which works especially when other stations are undergoing maintenance. Finally, the last station is Ollantaytambo, which is usually the most used because it tends to have low prices and it is also where the bimodal service continues.

The bimodal service consists of making the trip to Machu Picchu Pueblo through two transport services. The first section Cusco – Ollantaytambo, is done by bus or car, then to complete the trip the passengers board the train. This service is mostly cheaper and also allows a short time that can be used to have breakfast or take a short break with a small snack before continuing the trip.

The other way to get to Machu Picchu is by following the hiking trails. One of them is the one we present along the Hidroeléctrica route. The following ones are made by more complicated routes and longer days, such as the traditional 4-day Inca Trail. This walk allows you to reach Machu Picchu following paths used by the ancient settlers and also visit archaeological sites that were connected to Machu Picchu in the past. Another similar route is the Salkantay Trek which borders the mountains and passes through the Humantay Lagoon until it culminates in the hydroelectric route. There are more hiking routes such as the Lares Trek, the Huchuy Qosqo, and the Short Inca Trail only 2 days, which is very similar to the complete route, but ideal for people who are not very used to hiking.

Everything you need to get to Machu Picchu

We already know the ways to get to Machu Picchu Pueblo, especially about the hiking trail that starts at Hidroeléctrica. Now we want to leave some more information so that the visit to Machu Picchu is possible without any problem. For example, something that few even consider or think is easy to get is the entrance ticket to Machu Picchu. It is usually difficult to find availability from one day to the next. Faced with this problem, all those who wish to visit Machu Picchu must secure an entrance ticket in advance. The best way to achieve this is by doing it virtually so that you have immediate confirmation and also find other options, such as the variety of ticket types.

More tips?

Some other tips to do the Hydroelectric Route to Machu Picchu in 2 days. They would be that once you have the tickets ready to access Machu Picchu, plan the activities that you will carry out in Peru or Cusco, and remember that you have many options. You will also need to pack your belongings and take into consideration wearing comfortable and light clothing for the walk, resistant shoes, preferably hiking. A light backpack, that only allows you to carry water or what is necessary for the walk. The overload, with the passage on foot, can end up in a problem. Finally, try to be physically active before starting the tour, although this is not a fundamental requirement, it will help you feel better during the walk and prevent you from getting too tired.

 

By Inca Trail Machu Picchu - Last updated, 12-07-2023

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