How to experience Peru/Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu on your OWN

This article will show you where to go in Peru, making your own way to Machu Picchu!
We did it for a fraction of the cost of an official "tour" or group!

I'll tell you where we stayed, places not to miss, how to make your way the easiest way possible and PLENTY of photos along the way!
Read EACH step, as they will tell you what to book, online, beforehand, what book to purchase (Step 10) and lots more. ENJOY!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• a good, digital camera
• 1, medium-size luggage, on wheels for a 4-wk. stay
• 1, must-have book!
• good pair of hiking shoes
• a good attitude... this is not America.

1. 
    
   Patchwork quilt, winter, landscape of the Sacred Valley

   Book everything (with the exception of train tickets, in Cusco, from Ollantaytambo to Aguis Calientes/Machu Picchu) online...plane tickets to Miami, using LanPeru to Lima,(book so you'll get into Lima in the early morning, then, book a flight out, asap, to Cusco. By night we were snug in Urubamba enjoying coca tea! (read on for specific places to book and see)

2. 
    
   Cusco's Plaza de Armas

   Once in Cusco, get a taxi (many right outside the airport, waiting!) & ask to go directly to the Cusco train office. If you're smart, you will barter for a "fee" for the ticket office ride, in Cusco, to Ollantaytambo...approx. 1 hr. away) Purchase tickets for the train ride to Aguis Calientes/Machu Picchu from Ollantaytambo!

3. 
    
   San Agustin Urubamba Hotel...only a glimpse of the gardens!

   Book, ahead of time, online, a few days stay at the San Agustin Hotel Urubamba. Out of 4 weeks of travel, all over Peru, THIS hotel and sights that will be mentioned was the BEST time we had! Stay a week, if you can. You won't regret it! From this homey, gorgeous gardened, fresh, full breakfast buffet (included in price of hotel), you will experience the best Peru has to offer!

4. 
    
   One, of many, local

   You made it! From Miami to Urubamba in 1 day! You are now in the Sacred Valley! Rest up for your next step, which is...Chinchero's marketday!
   Arrange, ahead, for a day of taxi service (you can barter for this...do!) THIS is what you came for! I held out, thinking we'd come across more, later, but, NO. This market turned out to be the best variety, best prices, best selections, largest and, just, great! A photographer's dream! Plan to spend, minimum, 2 hours there.

5. 
    
   Street in Moras

   After Chinchero, drive to the town of Moras...an old, Spanish town anchored in the past due to its isolation and, therefore, lack of modernity. But, beautiful in its own way. You need to go through Maras to get to your next stop

6. From Moras, go 7 km. to Moray...a deep, Incan built, amphitheatre-like terracing and quite impressive. Each "layer" has its own microclimate according to how deep into the "bowl" it is! Don't miss it. A rough ride to get to, but, worth it! Amazing, to say the least!

7. 
    
   Salinas Salt Mines!

   Heading back to your homey retreat, back in Urubamba, you MUST see the Salt Mines of Salinas! Check ahead, with the locals, to make sure it'll be open when you'll be there. This is the only place, in our day, we'd have to pay a small fee to get in. There are guards and everything...perhaps US$5.?
   
   The Salt Mines of Salinas...approx., 3,000 salt pans evaporate the water that trickles down from a local, hot spring, to produce salt used for cattle licks to table salt! The process takes about one month until the "pan" reaches about 4" high. The salt is ground and packed on mules and sent to the regional markets. Just amazing to see! A must see!
   Take photos!!

8. 
    
   Ollantaytambo's cafe (my husband's sitting down in the corner table)

   Go home. It's been a long day and rest up! If you're hungry, try the hotel's restaurant. Their onion soup and fresh "pan", bread, hit the spot!
   
   After your relaxed stay in Urubamba, your next step is to taxi to the very, small town of Ollantaytambo where you'll catch the train to the town, Aguis Calientes, which sits below the Machu Picchu ruins. We caught a wonderful cup of coffee, at the, only, small cafe beside a (polluted yet running) stream while waiting for the train! I caught sight of a gorgeous stark turquoise blue feathered, brilliant yellow-bellied bird, in the trees, as we waited. Take more photos!

9. 
    
   Aguis Calientes Urubamba River & wild, Birds of Paradise...everywhere!

   Next stop, Aguis Calientes...home to the ruins of Machu Picchu! What makes this town soooooo beautiful is the wildly, running Urubamba River which, literally, runs through it! (so does a train).
   
   Having booked ahead a hotel, take your time browsing the craft booths. There are many and what a variety! Also, there will be several, local artists there selling their paintings. Ask for "Americo"...by far the best painter there! I bought two and I'm looking at them right now! Local talent at its best!

10. 
     
    I made it!

    Wake up early and take a bus to the top of the mountain, where, you will see 1 of the "7 Wonders of the World"...and it truly is! Buses start around 6:30am and the latest at 5pm. Plan to walk the ruins for, at least, 5 hours! (Hide) your bottled water and picnic lunch, but, be prepared to take all you trash back with you. No garbage cans anywhere and, I think, there is a hefty fine if they catch you littering...and well they should! This place is beyond words. Just breathe and take it all in...wild orchids, flowers of all kinds, loose alpacas walking around, MANY steps up & down all day! It was winter, when we went, and, still, we were hot!
    
    Purchase, ahead of time, (back in the states on Amazon was best for me), a "used" copy of "The Machu Picchu Guidebook...a self-guided tour" by Ruth M. Wright 7 Dr. Zegarra. This is a must! I devoured the book, beforehand, for weeks. When I first came upon Machu Picchu I could point out each and every sight before me and what lay in store there. A must book for Machu Picchu. You won't regret it! I ended up being a sort-of tour guide, myself, as I was explaining to my husband what each place was, etc., I'd soon pick up several listeners! I should've been a paid guide!
    If you're lucky you'll see, below you, a flying condor! I did! And, the ever flowing Urubamba River! Take in the sights, the smells, lay on the grass and enjoy a sandwich. You've come a long way for this, so, enjoy!