Let me tell you something that every volunteer in Peru thinks about approximately three days after arriving in Cusco: when am I going to see Machu Picchu? You didn’t fly thousands of miles to volunteer in Peru without planning to visit one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, conveniently located just a few hours from where you’re teaching English, working in clinics, or caring for rescue dogs.
The good news is that visiting Machu Picchu from Cusco is totally doable as a weekend trip during your volunteer program. The slightly complicated news is that it requires planning, costs more than you probably expect, and involves navigating a system that can feel unnecessarily complex if you’ve never done it before.
I’ve watched hundreds of volunteers make this trip, and I’ve seen every possible mistake, misconception, and mishap that can happen. I’ve also seen volunteers return from Machu Picchu absolutely transformed by the experience, understanding on a deeper level why they chose to volunteer in this incredible country. So let’s talk about how to actually make this weekend trip happen without stress, confusion, or blowing your entire volunteer program budget.
First things first. Visiting Machu Picchu isn’t cheap, and anyone telling you otherwise is either lying or traveled there in 1987. This is Peru’s number one tourist attraction, and prices reflect that reality. As a volunteer living on a budget in Cusco, you need to understand costs upfront so you can save appropriately and plan accordingly.
The absolute cheapest way to visit Machu Picchu from Cusco runs about $150 to $200 USD total if you do everything budget-style: taking local transportation to Hidroeléctrica, walking the train tracks for two hours to Aguas Calientes, staying in the cheapest hostel, and hiking up to Machu Picchu before dawn instead of taking the bus. This option is adventurous, time-consuming, and not for everyone.
The mid-range comfortable option costs approximately $300 to $400 USD per person. This includes round-trip train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes on Peru Rail or Inca Rail, one night in a decent hostel in Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu entrance ticket, bus up to the ruins, and meals. This is what most volunteers end up doing, and it’s the sweet spot between cost and comfort.
The luxury version where you take the fancy Hiram Bingham train, stay in the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge at Machu Picchu, and have a private guide can easily run $1,000+ per person. Unless your volunteer program in Peru was funded by family money or you’re a professional on sabbatical with savings, this probably isn’t your category.
Budget accordingly. If you’re volunteering in Cusco for two months and want to visit Machu Picchu without financial stress, set aside at least $350 USD specifically for this trip. Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, it’s worth it. Yes, you can find ways to reduce costs, which we’ll get into.
Time-wise, visiting Machu Picchu from Cusco requires at minimum a full weekend: Friday evening departure, Saturday at the ruins, Sunday return. Some volunteers do it in one long day, which is technically possible but absolutely exhausting and doesn’t allow you to experience Machu Picchu properly. If you can swing a three-day weekend (Friday through Sunday or Saturday through Monday), that’s ideal because you’re not rushed and can actually enjoy Aguas Calientes, the journey, and the ruins without feeling like you’re in a frantic race against time.
Here’s where volunteers make their first major mistake: assuming they can just show up to Machu Picchu. You cannot. Machu Picchu entrance tickets are limited to about 4,500 visitors per day (split between different circuits and time slots), and they frequently sell out, especially during high season from May through September.
You need to book your Machu Picchu ticket at least two weeks in advance, ideally three to four weeks if you’re visiting during peak season. The official government website is the only place to buy legitimate tickets: www.machupicchu.gob.pe. Yes, the website is clunky and sometimes frustrating to navigate. Yes, you still need to use it.
When booking your Machu Picchu entrance, you’ll choose between different circuits. As of recent regulations, there are four main circuits with different routes through the ruins. Circuit 1 and 2 cover the classic postcard views and main areas. Circuit 3 includes agricultural terraces and some different perspectives. Circuit 4 is the shortest route, often used by people doing Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain hikes.
For first-time visitors volunteering in Peru, I recommend Circuit 2, which gives you comprehensive access to the most important areas and the classic photo spot. Book the earliest entry time available, ideally 6:00 AM or 7:00 AM. Yes, this means waking up absurdly early, but morning light at Machu Picchu is magical, there are fewer crowds, and you often see the ruins emerging from mist and clouds, which is the iconic experience everyone imagines.
After booking your Machu Picchu entrance ticket, book your train. Train tickets get more expensive as the date approaches, so booking several weeks ahead saves money. You have two main train companies: Peru Rail and Inca Rail. Both are safe, reliable, and similar in price. The main route is from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (also called Machu Picchu Pueblo).
Peru Rail offers three service levels: Expedition (budget), Vistadome (mid-range with bigger windows and snacks), and Hiram Bingham (luxury). Inca Rail similarly has different classes. For most volunteers, the basic Expedition or equivalent service is perfectly fine. The ride is scenic regardless of which class you choose, and you’re going to the same destination.
Train schedules coordinate with Machu Picchu entrance times. If your entrance is 6:00 AM, you need to take a train that arrives in Aguas Calientes the evening before and stay overnight. If your entrance is later (10:00 AM or noon), you could theoretically take an early morning train, though this is tight and stressful. Most volunteers opt for staying overnight in Aguas Calientes, which is less rushed and more enjoyable.
Book accommodation in Aguas Calientes at the same time you book trains and entrance tickets. Budget hostels start around $15 to $25 per night for a dorm bed, $40 to $60 for a private room in a basic hostel, and go up from there. Booking.com and Hostelworld show options, but always read recent reviews because quality varies dramatically. Some hostels in Aguas Calientes are great, others are noisy, dirty, or located far from everything you need.
Your Machu Picchu adventure actually starts with getting from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, where most trains depart from. This is about 90 minutes by road through the Sacred Valley, and you have several options.
The cheapest option is taking a colectivo (shared van) from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, which costs about 10 to 15 soles ($3 to $4 USD). These leave from Pavitos street near the Coliseo Cerrado in Cusco. The vans leave when full, which could mean waiting 20 minutes or an hour. They’re cramped, not exactly comfortable, but they’re the option most budget-conscious volunteers use.
Slightly more comfortable is taking an official bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo with companies like Cruz del Sur or Inka Express. These cost more (around 30 to 40 soles) but are actual buses with seats and somewhat more reliable schedules.
If you’re traveling with other volunteers and can split costs, hiring a private taxi or arranging transport through a tour agency to take you from Cusco to Ollantaytambo costs about $40 to $60 USD total, which divided among three or four people becomes reasonable. The advantage is door-to-door service timed to your train departure, which reduces stress.
Many volunteers combine the Ollantaytambo journey with visiting Sacred Valley sites like Pisac or Moray on the same day before catching an evening train to Aguas Calientes. This maximizes your weekend trip from Cusco and adds more to your Peru experience. Just ensure you have enough time buffer to reach Ollantaytambo station at least 30 minutes before your train departure.
The train station in Ollantaytambo is easy to navigate. Show your ticket and passport (you need both), go through a simple security check, and wait in the departure area. The train ride from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes takes about 90 minutes and is genuinely scenic. You’re following the Urubamba River through increasingly narrow valleys with dramatic mountains on all sides. Even volunteers who’ve been in Peru for weeks find this train journey beautiful.
You’ll arrive in Aguas Calientes in the evening if you’re doing the overnight strategy, which most volunteers do. Aguas Calientes is a strange town that exists purely for Machu Picchu tourism. It sits at the bottom of a steep valley with the Urubamba River running through the center, surrounded by cloud forest, and has exactly one purpose: getting tourists to and from the ruins.
The town is small enough to walk end-to-end in 20 minutes. When you exit the train station, you’re immediately in the center of town. Your hostel is probably within a ten-minute walk in any direction. Aguas Calientes has dozens of restaurants, all serving similar menus at similar (inflated) prices because they have a captive audience of tourists with no other options.
Dinner in Aguas Calientes will cost you about $15 to $25 USD for a decent meal. Yes, this is expensive compared to Cusco where you can eat for $5. Welcome to captive market pricing. My advice is to eat a good dinner because you’ll be waking up very early for Machu Picchu and won’t want a heavy breakfast.
After dinner, go to sleep early. If your Machu Picchu entrance is 6:00 AM or 7:00 AM, you need to wake up around 4:00 or 4:30 AM to have time to get ready, possibly grab a quick breakfast, and get to the bus station before the crowds. Yes, this is painful when you’re on your weekend off from volunteering in Cusco and probably wanted to sleep in, but it’s necessary for the experience you came for.
Set multiple alarms. Seriously. Oversleeping and missing your timed Machu Picchu entrance is a special kind of devastating that happens to someone every single day.
Your alarm goes off at 4:00 or 4:30 AM and you’re questioning every life decision that led you to volunteer in Peru and attempt this trip. Push through. Get dressed in layers because morning at Machu Picchu can be cold. Pack your daypack with essentials: water, snacks, sunscreen, hat, rain jacket (weather changes fast), passport (required for entry), and your entrance ticket (either printed or on your phone, though printed is safer).
The bus station to Machu Picchu is about a five-minute walk from most hostels in Aguas Calientes. Buses start running around 5:30 AM, and the line forms much earlier. You’ll see a queue of people waiting in the dark, some who’ve been there since 4:30 AM to ensure they’re on the first buses up.
The bus ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu takes about 25 minutes and costs $12 USD one way ($24 round trip). Yes, this is expensive for a 25-minute bus ride. Yes, you could hike up the steep path in about 60 to 90 minutes and save the money. Most volunteers take the bus up and walk down, which is the smart compromise.
You can buy bus tickets the evening before or the morning of. I recommend buying the night before to avoid morning stress. The ticket office is near the bus station in Aguas Calientes. Bring cash (dollars or soles accepted) because card payments can be unreliable.
The bus ride up is a series of switchbacks climbing steeply through cloud forest. You’re gaining about 400 meters of elevation, and the road is literally carved into the mountain. If you’re afraid of heights, sit on the right side (going up) so you’re against the mountain rather than looking over the edge. The drivers do this route dozens of times daily and are professional, but it’s still somewhat nerve-wracking your first time.
You arrive at the entrance to Machu Picchu, show your passport and ticket, and walk through the gate. There’s a short path, and then you turn a corner and suddenly you’re there. The ruins spread before you, terraces cascading down the mountainside, stone buildings precisely fitted together, Huayna Picchu mountain rising dramatically in the background, and on clear mornings, mist swirling through the valleys below.
This moment, this first view, is why you volunteered in Peru. This is why you saved money, woke up at 4:00 AM, took multiple forms of transportation, and dealt with all the logistical complexity. Machu Picchu delivers on the hype. It’s genuinely one of the most spectacular sights on Earth, and no photograph adequately captures the experience of being there.
Take your time. Breathe. Look around. Let the magnitude of this place sink in. You’re standing in a 15th-century Inca city built at 2,430 meters elevation in one of the most dramatic mountainous locations imaginable, and it was largely hidden from the world until 1911. The engineering, the artistry, the sheer ambition of building this here is staggering.
With the new circuit system, you’ll follow a designated route through Machu Picchu. You can’t just wander freely everywhere anymore, which some people find frustrating but which also manages crowds and protects the site. Follow your circuit route, stop at viewpoints, read informational signs, and take as many photos as your phone storage allows.
The classic postcard photo spot where you see the entire ruins with Huayna Picchu in the background is accessible from most circuits, though sometimes you need to position yourself carefully to get the shot. Arrive early and you might have this spot relatively uncrowded. Arrive at 10:00 AM or later and you’re waiting in line to take photos with crowds of people in every shot.
Machu Picchu is divided into agricultural, urban, and religious sectors. The agricultural terraces you see on approach served both practical farming purposes and as protection against erosion and landslides. The urban sector contains residences, storage buildings, and workshops. The religious sector includes temples, the Intihuatana stone (a ritual stone associated with astronomy), and ceremonial spaces.
Key structures to pay attention to: The Temple of the Sun, which has amazingly precise stonework and astronomical alignments. The Room of the Three Windows, with massive trapezoidal windows facing the sunrise. The Intihuatana stone, which was used for astronomical observations and possibly ritual purposes. The Temple of the Condor, where rock formations naturally resemble a condor with wings spread.
You’ll notice the stonework quality varies throughout Machu Picchu. The most important religious and elite residential structures have incredibly precise masonry where stones fit together without mortar so tightly you can’t slip a knife blade between them. Other areas have rougher construction. This reflects the social hierarchy and functional importance of different buildings.
Llamas and alpacas wander through Machu Picchu, which creates adorable photo opportunities but also means watching where you step. These animals are semi-wild, maintained partly to keep grass trimmed and partly because tourists love them. They’re generally calm but will spit if harassed, so admire from a respectful distance.
Guides are not included in your entrance ticket, and whether you hire one is personal preference. Official guides outside the entrance charge about $20 to $30 USD for a two-hour group tour. Having a guide provides historical and archaeological context that informational signs don’t fully cover. If you’re genuinely interested in understanding what you’re looking at, a guide enhances the experience significantly. If you’re more interested in wandering and taking photos, you can skip the guide and just enjoy the ruins on your own.
The circuit you booked determines how long you can stay in Machu Picchu. Most circuits allow about four hours, which is enough time to see the main areas, take photos, explore at a reasonable pace, and feel satisfied. You can’t exit and re-enter, so once you leave, that’s it. Plan your time accordingly and don’t rush.
Bathrooms exist outside the entrance but not inside Machu Picchu, so use them before you enter. There’s also a small café outside the entrance selling overpriced snacks and drinks. I recommend bringing your own water and snacks rather than relying on this option.
If you booked tickets that include hiking Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (these require separate tickets and cost extra), these add significant adventure to your visit.
Huayna Picchu is the iconic pointed mountain you see in the background of classic Machu Picchu photos. The hike to the top takes about 45 to 60 minutes up, 30 to 45 minutes down, and involves steep stone steps, some narrow passages, and sections with significant exposure (meaning big drops if you slip). It’s not technically difficult but requires reasonable fitness and comfort with heights. Only 200 people per day are allowed to hike Huayna Picchu, so tickets sell out weeks or months in advance during high season.
The reward for hiking Huayna Picchu is spectacular views looking down over all of Machu Picchu from above. You get perspective on the entire site layout and surrounding mountains that you can’t achieve from the main ruins. Most volunteers who do this hike say it’s absolutely worth the extra effort and cost.
Machu Picchu Mountain is on the opposite side, a longer hike (about 90 minutes up) that’s less steep but higher elevation (3,082 meters). This hike is less popular than Huayna Picchu, so tickets are easier to get. The views are equally spectacular but different, showing Machu Picchu from a different angle with different perspective on the surrounding Sacred Valley geography.
You can only do one or the other, not both, on the same day because of time constraints and entry restrictions. If you’re torn between them, Huayna Picchu is the classic choice that most people prefer.
After your circuit time expires or when you’re ready to leave Machu Picchu, you exit and face the decision of taking the bus down or walking. Walking down takes about 60 minutes on a steep path with stairs and switchbacks. It’s free, it’s good exercise, and it’s genuinely pleasant walking through cloud forest spotting birds and butterflies.
Many volunteers walk down to save the $12 bus fare, which is perfectly reasonable if you’re on a budget. The path is safe, well-maintained, and clearly marked. Just watch your footing because stone steps can be slippery, especially if it’s been raining.
Back in Aguas Calientes, you have several hours before evening trains depart to Ollantaytambo. Use this time to eat lunch (you’ll be hungry after being at Machu Picchu since dawn), wander around town, visit the hot springs (aguas calientes means „hot waters,“ though the actual springs are underwhelming and not really worth the entrance fee), or just rest before your return journey.
Your train back to Ollantaytambo follows the same scenic route. From Ollantaytambo, you reverse your morning journey by colectivo, bus, or arranged transport back to Cusco. You’ll likely arrive back in Cusco late evening, exhausted, full of photos, and mentally processing the incredible experience you just had.
Let me give you specific numbers for a typical mid-range weekend trip to Machu Picchu from Cusco that most volunteers end up doing:
Machu Picchu entrance ticket: $50 to $70 USD depending on circuit Train Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes return: $130 to $160 USD Transport Cusco to Ollantaytambo return: $10 to $20 USD Accommodation in Aguas Calientes one night: $25 to $60 USD Bus up to Machu Picchu return: $24 USD (or free if you walk) Meals in Aguas Calientes and snacks: $30 to $50 USD Optional guide at Machu Picchu: $20 to $30 USD
Total typical cost: $290 to $410 USD per person
This is reality for a comfortable, normal-paced trip to Machu Picchu from Cusco. Yes, you can reduce costs by taking the budget route through Hidroeléctrica, staying in the cheapest hostel, walking everywhere, and bringing your own food. This might get you down to $150 to $200 USD total, but requires more time, more physical effort, and more tolerance for discomfort.
As a volunteer living in Peru on a limited budget, plan for at least $300 USD for this trip and you won’t be unpleasantly surprised by costs.
I need to explain the Hidroeléctrica route because some volunteers will ask about it or will have heard it’s the „cheap way“ to visit Machu Picchu from Cusco.
This route involves taking a bus or van from Cusco to the Hidroeléctrica station (about six hours), then walking along the train tracks for about two to three hours to reach Aguas Calientes. The same process in reverse going back. Total transportation cost is maybe $40 to $60 USD round trip compared to $150+ for the train.
Sounds great, right? Here’s the reality. The bus journey from Cusco to Hidroeléctrica is long, uncomfortable, and involves winding mountain roads that make some people carsick. The walk along train tracks is fine in good weather but can be hot, exposed, and somewhat tedious. You’re walking on rocks next to active train tracks with actual trains passing periodically. It’s safe if you pay attention, but it’s not exactly relaxing scenic hiking.
The Hidroeléctrica route makes sense if you’re volunteering in Peru for several months, have plenty of time, are very budget-constrained, and enjoy adventure travel where discomfort is part of the experience. For most volunteers doing a weekend trip to Machu Picchu, the train is worth the extra cost for comfort, time savings, and stress reduction.
I’ve known volunteers who did Hidroeléctrica and loved it, and others who hated every minute and wished they’d spent more for the train. Know your own travel style and tolerance for budget travel hardship before committing to this route.
When during your volunteering in Peru should you visit Machu Picchu? This is surprisingly strategic.
Don’t go your first or second weekend in Cusco. You’ll still be adjusting to altitude, figuring out your volunteer placement, and getting settled into homestay life. Machu Picchu is at lower elevation than Cusco (2,430m versus 3,399m), but the journey involves early mornings, physical exertion, and long days. Wait until you’re properly acclimatized and have your routine established.
The ideal time is around week three or four of your volunteer program in Cusco. You’re acclimatized to altitude, you’ve settled into your routine, you have some Spanish under your belt, and you understand how things work in Peru. You also have enough time remaining in your program that visiting Machu Picchu mid-way through gives you something to look forward to afterward rather than being the last thing before leaving.
If you’re volunteering for longer periods (two to three months or more), consider visiting Machu Picchu in your first month, then potentially doing other Sacred Valley trips or Peruvian destinations in later weekends. Some volunteers visit Machu Picchu twice during extended programs, especially if the first visit had bad weather and they want another chance to see the ruins in clear conditions.
Weather considerations matter. Dry season (May through September) offers better chances of clear skies and good photos, but also means more tourists and higher prices. Rainy season (November through March) means fewer crowds, lower prices, and greener landscapes, but also higher chance of rain obscuring views. Shoulder seasons (April and October) offer compromises.
Honestly, Machu Picchu is spectacular in any weather. Even with clouds and mist, possibly especially with clouds and mist creating that mysterious atmosphere, it’s an incredible experience. Don’t stress too much about achieving perfect weather. Nature does what nature does, and Machu Picchu remains impressive regardless.
Many volunteer organizations in Cusco arrange group trips to Machu Picchu for volunteers, and other volunteers you meet might organize informal groups to visit together. Should you join a group or do this independently?
Group trips have advantages. Everything’s organized for you, you travel with people you know from your volunteer program, and having company makes the long travel days more enjoyable. The disadvantage is less flexibility, fixed schedules, and sometimes slightly higher costs because agencies or organizers take cuts.
Independent travel to Machu Picchu gives you complete control over timing, budget choices, and pace. You decide when to wake up, how long to spend at the ruins, where to eat, and when to return to Cusco. The disadvantage is that you’re responsible for all logistics, bookings, and problem-solving if something goes wrong.
My observation from watching hundreds of volunteers visit Machu Picchu from Cusco is that both approaches work fine. Group trips work best for volunteers who prefer structure and guaranteed company. Independent trips work best for volunteers who value flexibility and don’t mind figuring out logistics themselves.
Traveling with one or two other volunteers you’ve met offers the best compromise: you have company and can split certain costs like taxis, but you’re still flexible and not managing a large group with different preferences and needs.
Let’s talk about what you actually need to bring for your weekend trip from Cusco to Machu Picchu:
Essential documents in a waterproof bag or pouch: Passport (required for entry to Machu Picchu and checking into hostels), Machu Picchu entrance ticket (printed or phone), train tickets (printed or phone), accommodation confirmation, and some emergency cash. Everything else is replaceable. These documents are not.
Layers for variable weather: Light jacket or fleece for morning cold, t-shirt for midday heat when sun comes out, rain jacket because weather changes fast in cloud forest, comfortable walking shoes with good traction (you’ll be walking on uneven stone surfaces at Machu Picchu), and a hat for sun protection.
Daypack for Machu Picchu visit: Water bottle (there’s no water available inside the ruins), snacks (granola bars, fruit, something to sustain energy), sunscreen and bug spray, small first aid kit, any personal medications, and camera or phone with fully charged battery.
Leave these in your hostel in Aguas Calientes when visiting Machu Picchu: Large backpacks aren’t allowed at the ruins, extra clothes you don’t need, valuables you don’t need for the day, and anything you’d be upset about losing or damaging.
Money strategy: Bring cash in soles for small purchases, meals, and colectivo transport. Bring dollars for larger expenses like bus tickets and accommodation if needed. Cards work at established restaurants and hostels in Aguas Calientes, but ATMs are limited and often run out of cash, so don’t rely on finding one when you need it.
Let me save you from the mistakes I’ve watched countless volunteers make when visiting Machu Picchu from Cusco:
Booking tickets too late and finding everything sold out, then either not going or paying inflated prices through resellers. Book at least three weeks ahead during high season.
Not bringing their actual passport to Machu Picchu. The entrance requires your physical passport, not a copy, not a photo on your phone. If you forget your passport, they won’t let you in, and you’ve wasted your entire trip and all that money.
Wearing terrible shoes like flip-flops or fashion sneakers with no traction. Machu Picchu involves walking on stone steps and terraces that can be slippery. You need actual walking shoes or hiking boots.
Arriving at the bus station at 7:00 AM for a 7:00 AM Machu Picchu entrance and wondering why they won’t let them in. The bus takes 25 minutes, there’s a walk to the entrance, and often a line. Arrive at Machu Picchu at least 30 minutes before your entrance time, which means being at the bus station 60 to 90 minutes before.
Not bringing enough water or snacks. You can’t buy food or drinks inside Machu Picchu. A few volunteers have gotten dehydrated or lightheaded, especially when walking around for four hours in morning sun at altitude.
Spending the entire visit taking photos and not actually experiencing Machu Picchu. Yes, photos are important. But put your phone down for at least some of your time there and actually look at where you are, feel the stones under your hands, observe the views, and be present. Photos can’t capture the feeling of being there anyway.
Not using bathroom before entering Machu Picchu and then being miserable for hours. There are no bathrooms inside. Use them before you go in.
You’ll return to Cusco Sunday evening from your weekend trip to Machu Picchu, exhausted and probably going straight to bed. Monday morning, you’re back to volunteering at your teaching placement, medical clinic, animal shelter, or construction project, and reality reasserts itself.
Give yourself time to process what you experienced. Visiting Machu Picchu isn’t just checking a tourist attraction off a list. It’s connecting with history, with engineering genius, with cultural achievement that’s difficult to comprehend, and with natural beauty that’s almost overwhelming.
Many volunteers report that visiting Machu Picchu during their time volunteering in Peru creates a deeper appreciation for why they’re here. You understand on a more visceral level the incredible culture and civilization that created these monuments, and the contemporary Peruvians you’re working with and living with are descendants and inheritors of this legacy.
Your students might ask you about Machu Picchu, wanting to know what you thought, whether it was beautiful, what you learned. This creates opportunities to connect with them about Peruvian history and culture in ways that classroom teaching doesn’t always achieve. Some of your students have never been to Machu Picchu despite living relatively close. Tourism prices make it inaccessible for many Peruvian families, which is worth reflecting on as an international volunteer with the economic privilege to make this trip.
Your photos will probably dominate your social media for a week, and people back home will send messages about how jealous they are and how incredible it looks. It does look incredible. And it feels even more incredible to experience it in person as part of a longer volunteer journey through Peru rather than as a quick tourist visit disconnected from deeper engagement with the country.
Here’s what I want every volunteer in Cusco to understand about making this trip: Visiting Machu Picchu from Cusco is absolutely worth doing. It’s expensive, it requires planning and logistics, and it takes up a weekend you could spend relaxing or exploring other places. But it’s Machu Picchu. You’re volunteering in Peru. This is part of why you’re here.
Save money from the start of your volunteer program specifically for this trip so you’re not stressed about costs when the time comes. Book tickets and trains three to four weeks in advance to avoid sold-out dates and inflated last-minute prices. Give yourself a full weekend minimum, overnight in Aguas Calientes, and enough time to experience the ruins properly without rushing.
Go with reasonable expectations. Yes, Machu Picchu is spectacular and genuinely lives up to the hype. But it’s also crowded, commercialized, and surrounded by tourism infrastructure that can feel overwhelming or inauthentic. The ruins themselves transcend all of that. Focus on the stones, the mountains, the achievement of building this place, and the fact that you’re standing in a wonder of the world.
Take photos, but not at the expense of actually experiencing where you are. Put your camera down periodically and just look around, breathe in the Andean air, feel the sun and wind, and be present in this remarkable place.
And when you return to your volunteer work in Cusco on Monday, carry the memory of Machu Picchu with you as a reminder of why Peru is worth dedicating your time to, why these communities and this culture matter, and why you made the choice to volunteer here rather than just pass through as a tourist.
The ruins will still be standing on that mountain long after your volunteer program ends. But the experience of visiting Machu Picchu during this specific time in your life, while living in Peru and serving communities and learning Spanish and growing as a person, that’s uniquely yours and becomes part of your volunteer story.
So start saving money, start planning your weekend trip, book your tickets or ask for the trip to our organization, and get ready for one of the highlights of your time volunteering in Peru. Machu Picchu awaits, and it’s everything you hope it will be.
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