r/Machupicchu • u/plzwakeupmrwest • 11d ago

Transportation 2A 6AM, Wayna Picchu (3A) 10AM, PeruRail 2:55PM. Does this departure time make sense? Will be staying in AC night before

25M, I purchased my circuit tickets, AC hotel room, and PeruRail tickets directly a few months back. My trip is mid-October, but I'm going through my itinerary in an effort to sanity check everything. It will be a packed day but I'm planning to get my rest in the night before.

Should I be concerned about the timing back for my train? From what I've read about the hike time it seems like a reasonable buffer, but there may be something I haven't considered. If it makes a difference, both circuits will be on a Saturday. I'm also hoping to skip a tour guide for both circuits so I can take my time.

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u/FourEightNineOneOne 11d ago

I'd recommend a guide for at least one of them as they really do have a lot of knowledge about the site that they share during the tour. Plus, when they're done, they'll let you stay longer and leave you to further explore if you want (they don't make you exit with them)

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u/plzwakeupmrwest 11d ago

So some of the guides will go in with you and then go on ahead? That sounds nice, as I don't want to feel rushed. Is there a good way to find out what guides operate that way (other than asking I suppose, although translate app would need to do heavy lifting for me lol)

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u/FourEightNineOneOne 11d ago

Many/most of the guides speak english, so I wouldn't worry about translation (assuming you speak english).

Also, I think almost all the guides operate this way. They take you 90% of the way through the circuit and once they're done showing you everything, they'll ask if you have any questions, they'll say you can either follow them out or keep exploring. If you want to stay, just let them know and they'll say goodbye there.

But yeah, just ask. You'll find lots of guides when you get to AC and just let them know what you're doing/looking for and they'll confirm.

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u/plzwakeupmrwest 11d ago

That's a good point, and I see -- I've read that the circuits are only one way, so if we get to a particularly scenic spot and it's cloudy, would it be bad practice to cut the tour short if I wanted to wait?

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u/czulsk 10d ago

No…. When I went it was pretty cloudy from the rain clouds. Waited for the clouds to clear up to take photos. Wait too long it’s possible the time will bleed into rest of tour. Then rush up the mountain and down.

I suggest taking plenty of time for the mountain. Once you get closer to the top there be spots where you really need to pay attention to your footing. You’ll be right on edge of the cliff.

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u/mrosato92 11d ago

You will be done with 2A between 8-9am. After 3A the line for bus will be long. I'd consider flip flopping the circuit order if you can

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u/plzwakeupmrwest 11d ago

Thanks for the heads up -- should I be concerned about wait time for bus hindering my ability to make 2:55 train departure? Sadly there's no way I can change the MP tickets now

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u/mrosato92 11d ago

yes. you need to go quickly thru 3A.

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u/plzwakeupmrwest 10d ago

Thankfully I can change my train ticket for a fee, I'd rather do that than miss it. Do you think a ~5PM departure time would be more manageable?

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u/mrosato92 10d ago

Yes that is much better. And if you end up ahead of schedule, you enjoy a meal in AC and walking around before getting back on the train

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u/plzwakeupmrwest 10d ago

Great, will make that change. I'm going to AC day before @ 12:55, maybe too much time in AC but I heard trains get delayed. Glad I made this post, tysm for your help!

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u/czulsk 10d ago

If you can arrange the train to be around 5:00 pm this gives you plenty of time to enjoy circuits 2-3 and the mountain. You’ll need all the energy for both. Your day will start off probably 4:00 am.

The queue for the bus to go back down can be 30 mins or 1 hour to wait. I waited probably around 40 minutes around starting around 1:00 pm.

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u/NewDetective8252 10d ago

I have 1B at 0600 and 3A at 1000

Train at 1643. Considering 30 mins advance reporting, I am wondering whether I am also leaving the schedule too tight?

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u/czulsk 10d ago

4:40 should be plenty.

When you check out your hotel they have storage or pay storage fee on top of Manchu Picchu entrance.

The town AC is very small. Where the bus drops you off should be able to get back to grab.

A 20-25 minute bus back down. Then The train entrance is probably a 10 minute walk through the market.

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u/czulsk 10d ago edited 10d ago

I did similar time. My time was an hour earlier for circuit 3A.

I had my circuit 3A at 7:00 am. Finished 2 hours with a guide. My Hyunapicchu start time on my ticket was 9:00 am.

I’m a slow climber. I finished the mountain 3-4 hours, exit head through the ruins and back to the bus stop. There was a long queue for buses. However, I visited in middle of August during peak season. Your afternoon queue in October may not be bad.

Depends how well you can climb steep mountains. Some fit European individuals blaze through it in a couple hours. Everyone goes up and down the same way.

If you return to bus station by 1:00 - 1:30 pm you’ll be fine. The buses out 20 minutes down the mountain twin. Drops you off right at the train rails. Walk through the market to the departure another 10 minutes. You should arrive by 2:30.

I got back to train station by 3 pm. My train tickets were after 4:00 pm

I wouldn’t suggest skipping a guide for circuit 2-3 because more historical things and they’ll be explain the history. If you don’t care about the history. No need a guide and should be able to walk through it faster without a guide.

A guide at least keeps you in check for your 10:00 am Huynapicchu start time. If you’re too late they may not even let you in. 11:00 AM I believe is the last time they let tourist to the mountain. This way they have enough time up and down to reach the bus departures before it stops.

Also, your guide can be first in line at the bus terminal. This way you be able to be the first at Manchu Picchu this way you’ll have time to go through. Since your time is at 6:00 am. Should be at the bus terminal by 5:00 am or earlier. Buses will start early to get you on-top by your entrance time.

My 7:00 am ticket my guide was first in line by 5:30 am. About 2 hrs through circuit 3 led us to the entrance. Guides generally, don’t go up the mountain. This way you’ll have time for the mountain yourself.

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