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Last Updated on 12 June, 2026 by Daniel Silvente
Machu Picchu is one of the must-see places on any trip to Peru, but before planning your route, it’s important to understand a few details. Where it is located? what is the altitude of Machu Picchu? How to get to the Inca citadel?
Although many travelers associate it directly with Cusco, Machu Picchu is located in the Andes Mountains, near Aguas Calientes, the town that serves as the main gateway to the archaeological site. That’s why understanding the altitude Machu Picchu, and how it compares to Cusco or the Sacred Valley, can help you plan your trip more comfortably.
In this guide, we’ll explain where Machu Picchu is located, the Machu Picchu location within Peru, how high it is, and how to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco, Ollantaytambo, or Aguas Calientes. We’ll also cover the easiest options if you prefer to book a tour with everything arranged in advance.
Where Is Machu Picchu Located?
Machu Picchu is located in Peru, in the Andes Mountains, within the province of Urubamba and the department of Cusco. Although many travelers connect it directly with the city of Cusco, the Inca citadel is about 62 miles (100 km) from Cusco.
More specifically, Machu Picchu is located in a mountainous area known as the Vilcabamba Batholith, between the peaks of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu. Its approximate coordinates are 13° 9′ 47″ south latitude and 72° 32′ 44″ west longitude, surrounded by mountains, high jungle, and Andean valleys.
The closest inhabited town is Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo. This small town is the main access point to the citadel and where most trains from Cusco or Ollantaytambo arrive. From Aguas Calientes, you can reach Machu Picchu by taking the shuttle bus up to the entrance or by hiking to the archaeological site.
That’s why, when talking about where Machu Picchu is located, it’s important to distinguish between the Inca citadel, the town of Aguas Calientes, and the city of Cusco. Cusco is usually the starting point for most tours, Aguas Calientes is the closest base for spending the night before the visit, and Machu Picchu is the archaeological site located in the mountains.
Altitude Machu Picchu: Elevation and Differences with Cusco and Aguas Calientes
The altitude of Machu Picchu is approximately 8,000 feet above sea level, or about 2,450 meters. Although it is located in the Andes Mountains, its elevation is not as high as other nearby areas in the Sacred Valley or the city of Cusco.
One of the most common questions before traveling is: how high is Machu Picchu, and can its altitude cause altitude sickness? While every traveler reacts differently, Machu Picchu is actually much lower than Cusco, which sits at around 11,150 feet above sea level, or approximately 3,400 meters. This means Cusco is almost 3,280 feet higher than Machu Picchu, so many travelers feel the altitude more when they arrive in Cusco than during their visit to the Inca citadel.
If you’re only visiting the citadel, the altitude of Machu Picchu is usually not the main challenge of the trip. However, the visit still involves walking, climbing stairs, and moving along uneven stone paths. For that reason, it’s best to arrive rested and prepared for an active day.
Spending some time in Cusco before your visit can help your body adjust to the Andean environment. A lighter tour through the Sacred Valley can also be a good way to get used to the altitude and make your Machu Picchu visit more comfortable.
This is especially recommended if you plan to hike Huayna Picchu, climb Machu Picchu Mountain, or take a multi-day trek such as the Salkantay Trek, Inca Trail, or Lares Trek. In these cases, the exact elevation of Machu Picchu is not the main challenge. Previous acclimatization and some walking time will help you enjoy the hike more and reduce fatigue along the route.
How Do You Get to Machu Picchu?
To get to Machu Picchu, the first thing to know is that you cannot drive directly to the entrance of the citadel. The closest town is Aguas Calientes, also called Machu Picchu Pueblo, and from there you complete the final stretch to the archaeological site.
That’s why the route depends on where your trip begins. If you are already in Aguas Calientes, you only need to go up to the entrance of Machu Picchu. IBy starting from Ollantaytambo, you’ll first need to take the train to Aguas Calientes. If you are traveling from Cusco, you’ll usually go first to Ollantaytambo or take a direct train, depending on the season. And if you are traveling from Lima to Machu Picchu, you’ll first need to fly or travel by road to Cusco before continuing toward the citadel.
How to Get from Aguas Calientes
Aguas Calientes is the last inhabited town before Machu Picchu and the place where most travelers arrive before their visit. From this town, there are two ways to reach the entrance of the archaeological site: by shuttle bus or on foot.
The most comfortable option is to take the tourist shuttle bus that connects Aguas Calientes with the entrance to Machu Picchu. The ride takes approximately 25 to 30 minutes and is the best option if you want to save energy for exploring the citadel, especially if your entry ticket includes a mountain or an additional hike.
It is also possible to hike from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. The route is demanding, with a steady uphill climb and many stairs, and usually takes between 1 hour 30 minutes and 2 hours. It can be a good option, but it’s worth considering the effort, especially if you’ll be exploring the archaeological site afterward.
How to Get from Ollantaytambo
If you are starting from Ollantaytambo, the next step is to reach Aguas Calientes. The most common and convenient way is to take the train from Ollantaytambo Station to Machu Picchu Pueblo. The journey crosses the Sacred Valley and is often one of the most scenic parts of the trip.
Once you arrive in Aguas Calientes, you’ll need to complete the final stretch to the entrance of Machu Picchu by shuttle bus or on foot, as explained in the previous section. That’s why, when planning your trip from Ollantaytambo, it’s important to coordinate your train schedule with your Machu Picchu entry time.
Ollantaytambo is one of the best bases for visiting Machu Picchu because it is closer than Cusco and has one of the most commonly used train stations for reaching Aguas Calientes. It’s also a great option if you want to visit the Sacred Valley before continuing to the citadel.
How to Get to Machu Picchu from Cusco
Cusco is the main starting point for most travelers visiting Machu Picchu. From here, the most common route is to travel first to Ollantaytambo and then take the train to Aguas Calientes. The transfer from Cusco to Ollantaytambo can be done by private transportation, tourist transportation, or bus, depending on the type of trip you are planning.
In some seasons, trains also depart from stations closer to Cusco, such as Poroy or San Pedro, although availability may vary. That’s why many routes combine a road transfer to Ollantaytambo with a train from there to Aguas Calientes.
Once you arrive in Aguas Calientes, only the final stretch remains: going up to the entrance of Machu Picchu by shuttle bus or on foot. If you are visiting Machu Picchu from Cusco in one day, it is essential that all schedules fit together properly. For this reason, in these cases, it is much easier to leave the logistics in the hands of an organized tour.
How to Get from Lima
If your trip starts in Lima, you’ll first need to get to Cusco, as there is no direct access from Peru’s capital to Machu Picchu. The fastest and most common option is to take a flight from Lima to Cusco. Traveling by road is also possible, but the journey is very long and usually not the most practical option for most travelers.
Once you arrive in Cusco, the route continues to Ollantaytambo, then by train to Aguas Calientes, and finally to the entrance of Machu Picchu. In other words, getting from Lima to Machu Picchu means combining all the previous sections of the journey.
If you have limited time, the easiest option is to fly to Cusco and book an organized Machu Picchu tour, either as a one-day trip or a two-day experience. If you prefer to travel at a slower pace, you can spend some time in Cusco and the Sacred Valley first, visit other places in the area, and arrive at Machu Picchu with a better-organized itinerary.
Is It Better to Visit Machu Picchu on Your Own or with a Tour?
After seeing how to get to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes, Ollantaytambo, Cusco, or Lima, it’s clear that the visit requires coordinating several parts of the journey. Traveling independently can make sense if you already know the area, have enough time, and prefer to manage each part of the trip separately.
However, for most travelers, especially if it’s your first time in Peru, a fully organized Machu Picchu tour makes the visit much easier. Depending on the option you choose, the tour may include transportation from Cusco, train tickets, the shuttle bus to Machu Picchu, entrance tickets, and a guide, helping you avoid booking each service separately and reducing the risk of mistakes with schedules, circuits, or availability.
Getting to Machu Picchu does not have to be limited to the train either. If you’re looking for a more adventurous experience, there are also multi-day routes that make the journey part of the trip. The Inca Trail is the most classic route; the Salkantay Trek combines Andean landscapes, mountains, and jungle; the Lares Trek takes you through local communities and less-traveled areas of the Sacred Valley; and the Inca Jungle adds a more active touch with biking, hiking, and adventure activities.
So, rather than simply choosing between going on your own or with a tour, the key is deciding what kind of experience you want: a quick and comfortable train visit, a two-day route with more flexibility, a multi-day trek, or an adventure that combines biking and hiking. At Howlanders, we make it possible with different Machu Picchu tours, so you can choose the option that best fits your trip and enjoy the Inca citadel with the logistics already taken care of.
