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Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

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Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



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  #1  
Old 2 Oct 2012
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getting to Machu Piccu
how close is it possible to get to Machu Picchu on my moterbike ? is it possible to get any closer than Santa Teresa ? has anyone ever taken there bike along the rail track ?
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  #2  
Old 2 Oct 2012
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We were there a monthish ago, I'm pretty sure you could ride from ST (we left the bikes there and walked to Agua Cal, 6 hrs) to the Hydroelectrica and leave the bike at the hostel there but there are guards there and I'd lay a large amount of money you ain't going up the trackside with your moto.
On the upside the walk along the track from the Hydroelectrica to Agua Cal. was great (3 hrs) that's if you like to walk? Propa Huckleberry Fin stuff just following the railway track through the jungle, weird as it sound it's been a highlight of my trip so far.

HTH
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  #3  
Old 3 Oct 2012
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If you are solo on a smallish bike, I think you could make it all the way to Aguas Calientes via Santa Teresa, if you are willing to throw caution to the wind. 1st step is getting past the hydrolectric station guards and tourist police--a sign is posted prohibiting any vehicles along the train tracks. Then you have to cross a few small bridges, but it would be totally do-able. After that, I didn't pay much attention to places where you would store your bike ie hotel or park entrance.

However, like the other duder said, it is a pretty walk. But if you ride it, that would be badass and there might be cool places to explore around...

Cheers
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  #4  
Old 3 Oct 2012
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Hi,

You can ride from Cuzco to Santa Teresa



i wild camped at the cross high above the city.



Then you can leave your bike at the entrance and put your luggage and helmet inside of the little container so the people will watch it for a little money. (I dont see a chance to get past all the check points and police people with a bike.) From Santa Teresa its about 7 km walk to Aqua Caliente where you can sleep and get the tickets and then its a 2 km very steep walk up the hill to Machu Picchu (i did all and back in one day)



Motorcycle trip through Peru - Machu Picchu - part 3
Have fun, Tobi
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  #5  
Old 3 Oct 2012
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Not sure you're quite right Tobi with "From Santa Teresa its about 7 km walk to Aqua Caliente"!

From Santa Teresa (along the dirt road following the river) was a 2/3 hour walk and Hydro to Agua was 2/3 hours and me and Caf are half marathon runners/ mountain bikers!
Total for us was 5 hours and in think about 20 km.

Didn't want to see Kito head out on an hour walk with no water etc only to find he was still going 5+ hours later

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  #6  
Old 4 Oct 2012
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thanks for that guys . ill try to ride to the hydroelc place . is the safe place to leave the bike there ?
ill let you know how that goes
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  #7  
Old 4 Oct 2012
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You can ride the dirt road following the river to Hydroelectrica no problem, the taxis us it.
There is a basic hostal there and some food stalls all next to the rail track, pretty sure they will let you leave it at the hostal for a few Sols.
The security/Police may look after it for you?
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  #8  
Old 20 Oct 2012
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Yep, it's 10KM along the train tracks from Hydro-electrica to Aguas Callientes (awful place), it says so on the KM markers as you walk along the train tracks.
it would be awesome to take your bike along the tracks, but I do remember a few bridges where you have to walk across the sleepers, which are spaced about 40Cm+ apart with no way to go around.

The walk from Santa Teresa took me and a friend about 3 or 4 hours from memory, and you get to go in a cool hand-powered cable car across the river at one point! (unless you take the long way and stick to the road, not as fun)
Not sure about leaving your bike in Hydroelectrica, there didn't seem to be much there but you can always ride out and ask, and if not just go back to Santa Teresa to wak from there.
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  #9  
Old 20 Oct 2012
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Hi all,
We were also just at Machu Picchu about a month ago. Thought I would add there is a place to camp in Santa Teresa, called Genaro Moscosco la Torre
GPS: S13 07.903 W72 35.781 The owner there is super nice and will watch your bike/vehicle for 5 soles a day.

Also, the hike from Santa Teresa out to the hydroeletrica is a long boring hot slog. Not much shade and not much to look at. It's worth seeing if you can share a taxi with other travelers and saving yourself the extra few hours of hiking. Three of us took a taxi 30 Soles one way, but probably could have bartered for less. There were lots of little food stalls and a small hospedaje just past the hydroelectrica. I'm sure someone would let you park there for some change.

From the hydroelectrica to Aquas Calientes takes about 2 hours for fit hikers, 3ish if you are lazy and stop all the time to take photos (like us). As everyone else said, this is a beautiful hike through the jungle. Did I mention it's almost completely flat, and free.
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  #10  
Old 24 Oct 2012
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Bike storage in Cuzco
Hi. I am planning on visiting Machu Pichu and was wondering if there is anywhere in Cuzco that I can leave my bike???
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  #11  
Old 24 Oct 2012
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There is a camping place just oustide of Cusco, up the hill near the ruins. We camped there for a few days. Lots of other big overlander vehicles. Many people park there and go to Machu Picchu and return in a few days. But know that this is the most expensive train ticket you can buy. I'm sure you could park your bike there for a small fee.

The place is called Quinta Lala. GPS: 13°30'20.56"S 71°59'7.87"W
Camping only, no rooms, but has hot showers, a small kitchen and bathroom.

It is a total pain to get here especially if you are in a car. Be prepared for you GPS to route up staircases.
Website for the campground: Campground Cusco, the one and only
More photos on our website: Peru Campgrounds and Hotels | Life Remotely
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