The cheap path to Machu Picchu. There are essentially 3 ways to reach the famous Incan ruins of Machu Picchu nowdays.
The first and most expensive option of course is to hike the famous Inca Trail (nicknamed the gringo trail) which can be done over 4/5/6 nights. I was originally was planning on doing this, but over the past 6 months changed my mind due to the inflated cost, the fact that you need to book the date 3 months in advance (impossible for me) and also the trail is closed all through February due to heavy rains and for maintenance.
The second is to catch a 2 hour train from Cusco to the town below the Machu Picchu ruins and then catch another 30 minute bus to the ruins. However because the ruins can really only be reached on foot or by rail the rail company has a monopoly and therefore overcharges for the tickets.
The third and most economical, adventurous and unofficial option is taking a 6 hour minibus over foggy, flooded and landslide covered mountain roads, past snow capped peaks, past Incan ruins, through tiny villages, over makeshift bridges, along sheer cliff sides and into a giant gorge with the deadliest river I have ever seen. This bus ride drops you at a hydro electric power plant in the middle of nowhere. From here you have to walk 3 hours along the train tracks and beside the violently monstrous river into Aguas Caliente (the town at the bottom of Machu Picchu).
We opted for the third option because we weren’t short on time and the drive and walk both ended up being pretty spectacular. The walk from Hydroelectrica to Aguas Caliente takes you around the back of the mountains where Machu Picchu ruins are, so on the way you get a glimpse of some of the ruins sitting high above which was pretty cool.
