The last leg of a Machu Picchu trip is the Consettur bus from Aguas Calientes up to the entrance of the ruins. It’s the quickest way up — about 25 minutes versus the hour-plus hike on the Hiram Bingham road — and the climb through cloud forest is a scenic ride in its own right.
The buses switchback up a narrow single-track road that follows the river gorge for the first stretch, then climbs through the forest to the main gate. Views open up on both sides as you climb. Services run from before dawn until mid-afternoon, so you can time the ride to catch sunrise at the citadel or arrive later for a quieter afternoon visit.
Once you’re at the gate, you walk into the citadel on your entry permit’s circuit. The Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana, and the long run of agricultural terraces are the main stops; a guide (private or group) is well worth having if you want to understand what the buildings were used for.
To put the chain together — bus, entry permit, train, hotel in Aguas Calientes — book with Peruways. One booking covers all the pieces.
The bus up is a straightforward way to make the Machu Picchu visit comfortable. Book the roundtrip ticket and keep your energy for the ruins at the top.
