1-Day Trekking from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu

・9am Bus from Ollantaytambo
The bus journey reaches altitudes of over 4000 meters above sea level, offering stunning views. We sat next to the driver, which was ideal as the road was winding. If you're prone to motion sickness, I recommend taking medication to fully enjoy the scenery.

・20-minute Break at Arqueologico de Huamanmarca
There’s a small shop where you can buy food. The bathroom facilities are very basic and not recommended. The archaeological site is just 100 meters away with free entrance, so you can opt for a quick visit.

・1:45pm Arrival at Hydroelectric Power Plant
10km Trekking Begins
The first 200-300 meters involve steep steps, which some people may find challenging, but that’s the only difficult part. The rest of the trail is flat and easy to walk. Many people walk along the tracks, so you can simply follow the railway lines without needing a map. We encountered a train once but quickly noticed the signal and moved to the side of the tracks.

4:15pm Arrival at Aguas Calientes
We are fast walkers, so it might take longer for the average person.

The bus costs 80 soles per person for a round trip. We booked it at a shop in Ollantaytambo, which was easy to find.

9am Friday: Ollantaytambo to Hidroelectrica
2pm Sunday: Hidroelectrica to Cusco
You can choose to return to Cusco or Ollantaytambo for the same price. The choice depends on the timing of your Machu Picchu ticket. If you can book an early morning ticket, it’s possible to book the next day’s bus. However, since our tickets were for the afternoon, we had to book the bus for the day after.

The town of Aguas Calientes is very touristy and westernized. Prices are higher than in other towns in Peru. There’s not much to see apart from Machu Picchu. The town is filled with gift shops, restaurants, and currency exchange shops catering to tourists. On the positive side, they use electric cars, and the area is surrounded by greenery, so the air is fresh and free of pollution.

Post by Traveling-around-the-world | Jun 21, 2025