The Consettur bus from Aguas Calientes to the citadel gate is 25 minutes of switchbacks up the Hiram Bingham road. It climbs about 400m of altitude in that stretch — the vegetation shifts from Urubamba cloud forest at the bottom to orchid-covered scree near the top.
Buses leave Avenida Hermanos Ayar every 10 minutes from 5:30am. Ride time is a flat 25 minutes. The window seat on the uphill leg is the one to grab; the Vilcanota drops away sharply behind you and Huayna Picchu looms overhead by the time you reach the top.
Pre-book the ticket. In high season (June–September) the walk-up queue at the booth hits 45 minutes before dawn. Peruways sells the Consettur ticket online so you skip the queue and go straight to the river-side boarding line.
Make the morning easier. Book your bus tickets with Peruways and the Consettur ticket lands in the same email as your PeruRail or Inca Rail train and your Machu Picchu entry.
