The day we been trekking for!! Travelers have the option to hop on a bus from Aguas Calientes, (the city next to Machu Picchu) at 5:30 AM to make their 6:00 AM Machu Picchu reservations. We woke up at 3:30 AM, left the hostel by 4:00 AM— hoping to beat the bus and make sunrise.
The hike up Machu Picchu takes an average 1 hour and 30 minutes for a “physically fit person” research says. After 30 minutes of walking, you are out of Aguas Calientes and at the entrance of the Machu Pichhu trailhead. Here they require you to show your passport and reservation tickets. It was unfair and strange that the gates to the trailhead did not open until 5:00 AM. This gave us a 30 minute wait time + trekkers a disadvantage by having less time to hike up.
What a hard hike up. It is steep and the whole way to the top, you are going up steps. This has all trekkers huffing and puffing to catch their breath. And due to the gates being closed til 5:00 AM, we did not catch sunrise in Machu Picchu (but still happy that we made it early).
I am super proud of Tim and I. We completed it in one hour. Our endurance and strength have become much more powerful.
Machu Picchu is at 7,972 feet or 2,430 meters above sea level. There are four different circuits (or pathways) throughout the site. It is mandatory to walk through one circuit at a time. So it was important to not rush because it was prohibited to walk backwards. Employees were spread out on the site: to supervise their stations/circuits, to ensure safety, and do their best to preserve the site from damage.
Throughout our visit in Peru, there are many stray dogs. Whenever Tim and I have left over meat, we would try to feed them! On our hike down the millions of steps (slightly over exaggerating! 😅), we met a cute doggo. We three made a connection, so she followed us back to the city, Aguas Calientes. We fed her chicken, peanut butter and lots of love! If I could adopt her I would. Tim and I are traveling way too much to care for a dog. So another day.. !
Once we arrived back to the city, Tim and I carbed up with some fire-wood pizza. We then took a nap and went back out for food & exploration.
Below I have set the total price breakdown if we fulfilled leaving on the fifth day + dinner.
Day 5 $$ breakdown
Please note: PP = per person
- Pizza, for breakfast 36 soles (split)
- Ice cream / helado 10 soles (split)
- Magnet 10 soles (split)
- Chicken skewer 10 soles (split)
- Waffle 8 soles (split)
- Burger 15 soles (split)
- Tried another burger 7 soles (split)
- Coca Cola & water x2, 19 soles (split)
- Machu Picchu 160 soles PP
- Bus back home 50 soles PP
The current exchange rate: $1.00 USD is equal
to about 3.84 Peruvian Soles.
Final total spent: $695.5 Soles = $181.12 USD PP
We decided to extend our stay because our original bus time back to Cusco, the big city, was set by 2:30 PM— meaning, we would have to hike back on the railroad tracks by 11:00 AM. We wouldn’t get to relax or explore the city whatsoever.
In conclusion, we made our goal/budget!!!
Because we chose to stay an extra day in the city, accommodation cost another $145 soles = about $38.00 USD. In the final total spent above, the total would’ve been different if we caught the 2:30 PM bus. The dinner cost wouldn’t be included in the daily budget because the trek would be completed by the time we arrived back to the big city.
Please note/friendly reminder** this goal/budget was set because of the advertised $185 USD price point. There are many variations in their advertised cost such as:
sleeping bags, hiking poles or shoes, additional food, beverages, souvenirs, upgraded accommodation, the assistance by horse to reach the pass, choice to tip your guide, if trekkers decided to go to the hot springs on their free time, and more. All these variations are typically not included in the tour price!
Final thoughts:
Tim: This experience is something I will look back on for the rest of my life. Despite the high elevation, cold nights sleeping with all your clothes on, excruciating blisters and the never ending bug bites. This 5 day journey alongside my best friend ❤️ helped me live in the moment and enjoy the beautiful nature of the Andes.
Vinna: Everyday through this hike, I would share out loud and to myself “this is wild!” It’s definitely one of my biggest athletic accomplishments. Being from the PNW (Pacific Northwest), I do enjoy hikes but a solo- trek has hit a big area out of my comfort zone. It was extremely difficult and extremely beautiful. This is a lifetime experience that others may want to experience, so I feel very humbled to be able to. I will treasure this memory forever and am happy to experience it with mi amor, timothy bear. (:
Beyond Rose 
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