Machu Picchu is famous as a “must-see scenic spot in your lifetime,” but I headed there without knowing the route or the situation, and it was quite scary.
Here, I will share my real experiences of failures and lessons learned during my trip.
Forgetting to Book from Cusco to Ollantaytambo Station is Hell
To get to Machu Picchu village (Aguas Calientes), it is common to first take a taxi to Ollantaytambo Station near Cusco and then take a train from there.
However, I thought, “It will work out if I just go on the day,” and carelessly did not book transportation (mainly taxi or shared bus) in advance from Cusco to Ollantaytambo Station.
😱 Failure Story
On the morning of the day, I struggled greatly to find a car to the station, and the taxi I finally managed to get was only available at a high price, which took time to negotiate.
✅ What I Should Have Done!
There are limited trains to Machu Picchu, and if you miss the train (like Inca Rail) from Ollantaytambo Station, it will result in a huge time loss. Make sure to secure your transportation to Ollantaytambo Station by the day before.
Uber is available in Cusco. Be sure to download the Uber app in advance.
Uber
Descending on Foot Puts a Lot of Strain on Your Legs
There are mainly two ways to descend from the Machu Picchu ruins to Machu Picchu village (Aguas Calientes).
Shuttle Bus: About 25 minutes
On Foot: About 1.5 to 2 hours
I had booked the shuttle bus, but thought, “Since I’m here, let’s walk!” and carelessly chose to walk.
However, the descent path was quite steep with stairs, and I was descending in a state of exhaustion after sightseeing, which was very dangerous.
😱 Failure Story
Long hours of steep descending stairs put an intense strain on my knees and ankles beyond what I imagined. The next day, I returned feeling not just muscle pain but a sense of overall fatigue.
✅ What I Should Have Done!
Use the shuttle bus without overexerting yourself. On rainy days, the ground can be slippery and truly dangerous.
Heading Out in Short Sleeves Despite Low Temperatures, Resulting in a High Fever
Due to its high altitude, Machu Picchu experiences extreme temperature differences between morning and evening.
The place I stayed on the way to Machu Picchu, “Machu Picchu Village,” also gets suddenly cold at night.
Unaware of this, on the morning of the day I visited the Machu Picchu ruins, I thought, “It will get hot during the day,” and headed out in a short-sleeved T-shirt.
😱 Failure Story
At the altitude of the ruins (about 2,430m), it gets very cold in the shade, especially early in the morning. As a result of sightseeing in light clothing for a long time, I lost my stamina and developed a high fever that mixed muscle pain and a cold on the way back. I ended up having to rest in the hotel afterward.
✅ What I Should Have Done!
For visiting Machu Picchu, wearing easily removable warm clothing is essential. Nature is unpredictable. If you’re not careful, you may have to give up on Machu Picchu, so clothing is important not only for altitude sickness prevention but also for managing your health.
I will summarize clothing recommendations later. Gear is very important, so please check it out.
It was really too cold to go in short sleeves. Cry
Hello, I'm Shiro! Drawing on my experience working at a culinary and confectionery school in Fukuoka, I share "authentic local eateries" and "smart travel tips" that go beyond the typical tourist spots.
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