Machu Picchu (Part 1): $300/ person from Lima

The costs of traveling to Machu Picchu (MP) can appear daunting and impossible.  Travel agencies often charge upwards of $1500 per person for a Machu Picchu tour, not including airfare to Lima.  Here is how you can take your kids to see one of the world's best archaelogical marvels, even if you're on a tight budget.

First, you need the following prerequisites.

1.  Go during the "low" season.  High season is when tourists flock into MP in droves.  This period (June - September) corresponds to the dry season at MP, as well as summer for the northern hemisphere.  During the rest of the year, there is always the risk of having to climb the steep stone steps of MP in the rain.  The best time to go is late May or early October, when it is close enough to the dry season to minimize risk of inclement weather, but when you can still get to see the sights without the crowds and the super high prices.

2.  Airfare.   This is the biggest cost of the trip.  You have to fly everyone to Lima, Peru (LIM).  There are numerous ways to shop around for the biggest savings in airfare, but for most people, you will have to save for what will likely cost between $800 to $1300 per person.

3.  Spanish.  Unfortunately, knowing sufficient Spanish to negotiate is necessary to travel cheaply.   This is always the case in international travel:  those who don't know the local language have to pay "foreigner" prices for the same services.

Once you're in Peru, the expensive part is taken care of.  Getting to MP shouldn't cost much more than $300 a person for the experienced, Spanish-speaking budget traveler.  Here's how.

All currency is in the Peruvian Nuevo Sol or S/. or US Dollar $.  The current exchange rate is S/. 2.70 for US$1.  If the dollar keeps falling, it would cost more dollars to make the trip, obviously.

Transportation total:   S/. 260.00 (US$97.00) + US$82 = US$179 roundtrip

1.  Lima to Cusco by bus (22 hours):  S/. 220.00 roundtrip. 
2.  Cusco to Ollantaytambo by shared taxi/van (1.5 hours):  S/. 20.00 roundtrip.
3.  Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu town by train (1.5 hours):  US$66 roundtrip.
4.  Bus to Machu Picchu (30 minutes):  US$15.50
5.  Miscellaneous taxis and bus station fees:  S/. 20.00 roundtrip

Lodging total:  S/. 100.00 (US$37.00)

Hotel in Machu Picchu 2 nights:  S/. 50.00 x 2 = S/. 100.00

Meals total:  S/.  70.00 (US$26)

1.  Snacks, water on bus:  S/. 10.00
2.  Lunch in Cusco:  S/. 10.00
3.  Dinner in MP town x 2:  S/. 20.00
4.  Breakfast in MP town x 2:  S/. 10.00
5.  Picnic lunch on MP:  S/. 10.00
6.  Lunch in Cusco:  S/. 10.00

Machu Picchu Entrance Fees:  S/. 126.00 (US$47)

Total Trip:  US$289. 

Details to follow in Part 2.