Itinerary

Itinerary of the Machu Picchu Tour 2 days + Sacred Valley of the Incas

Day 1: Cusco – Pisac Inca Site – Ollantaytambo Ruins – Aguas Calientes

Early morning, we’ll pick you up from your hotel lobby in Cusco at 07:30 am in our private and comfortable transport to start the tour through The Sacred Valley. Leaving Cusco, we’ll pass by Saqsaywaman and head over the mountains to the pretty village of Pisac, where we will visit and explore the Pisac archaeological site and enjoy the beautiful views across the valley.

At archaeological complex of Pisac, you’ll be given a guided tour of the ruins, passing through various structures that once served as homes, storage rooms and temples, and you’ll see Inca altars, carvings, tunnels, caves and the biggest cemetery from Incan time. Once we have finished exploring the ruins of Pisac, we’ll head down to visit the colorful traditional market, where you can browse the array of local artisan work and other souvenirs. Alternatively, if you’d like to spend more time in the market in Pisac instead of seeing the ruins, you can talk to your guide and arrange a time and a place to meet (optional).

After Pisac Market, we’ll head on towards Urubamba where we’ll stop for about 45 minutes for lunch (not included). After another 40-minute drive, we’ll reach the wonderful Inca town and archaeological site of Ollantaytambo. Ollantaytambo was the royal estate of the Inca emperor Pachacuti, who conquered the region and built the town and a ceremonial center. We’ll spend about an hour exploring these magnificent ruins, visiting the amazing Temple of the Sun and seeing massive blocks of rock that were perfectly carved and polished by master Inca stonemasons.

Ollantaytambo is also a fine example of Inca agricultural construction and hydro-engineering, with a complex series of stone water fountains, channels and agricultural terraces, the latter organized by elevation to create different microclimates for crop experimentation. We’ll see the extent of the water system when we return to the town, where fast flowing water channels built by the Incas are still in use today. Walking to the town square, we’ll have great views of the ruins above us, as well as Inca granaries and store houses built on the sides of the surrounding mountains. Here we can also watch the daily life of Ollantaytambo, where many of the locals still wear traditional dress.

After Ollantaytambo, head to the train station to board the train to Aguas Calientes (also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo). The train leaves at 16:30 pm or 19:04 pm (depending on train availability) although the exact schedule does change sometimes. The two-hour train journey is a memorable experience in itself, as we pass through river canyons and rolling hills. Once you’ll arrive in Aguas Calientes, your guide will pick you up from the train station and take you to your hotel to check-in.

Aguas Calientes is the gateway to Machu Picchu, sitting in a deep gorge at the foot of the mountain upon which Machu Picchu is located. It’s a pretty town that mixes traditional life with a huge tourism infrastructure, with plenty of markets, souvenir shops, hotels and restaurants. It’s also largely pedestrianized, making it a fun place to explore on foot. Aguas Calientes is surrounded by jungle-covered mountains and cliffs, and the Urubamba River flows right next to the town, sometimes roaring through the canyon. It’s an early start the next day, so we’ll make sure you’re settled into your hotel and all set for the following day and your first glimpse of Machu Picchu.

Day 2: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu Inca Site – Ollantaytambo – Cusco

To best appreciate the beautiful Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, we’ll wake up early in the morning so we can get to the archaeological complex in good time. You’ll have time for breakfast first, and then your guide will pick you up from the hotel at around 5:30 am. We’ll then walk to the bus departure point for the short but zigzagging ascent up the road to Machu Picchu.

After a 25 minute bus ride to Machu Picchu, we will pass through the entrance gates to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu, and climb for 15 minutes to the best views to enjoy watching the sunrise over the Inca Citadel and experience this beautiful natural event. Then, you’ll begin your fascinating guided walking tour with an experienced and highly knowledgeable guide, who will unfold the mysteries of this magical site, explaining the history and flora/fauna.

Our tour of Machu Picchu will last about two hours, and will take you to all the most famous and most spectacular parts of the extensive archaeological complex. These include the House of the Guardian, Intihuatana, Temple of the Sun, Sacred Plaza and other key locations. And as we walk around, we’ll have spectacular views across the agriculture terraces of Machu Picchu and across to the surrounding mountains and plunging gorges.

Once we’ve finished our tour of Machu Picchu, you will have a little free time to take photos and explore the ruins on your own. Once you finish, you’ll take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes where you can relax and have lunch (not included) before we board the train back to Ollantaytambo or Poroy and Cusco. Upon arrival at the station, we’ll be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco, where you can think back to your incredible tour of one of the world’s most famous and most impressive attractions.

Itinerary

Itinerary of the Machu Picchu Tour by Train 2 Days

Day 1: Cusco – Ollantaytambo Train Station – Aguas Calientes Town

To begin the 2-day adventure tour to Machu Picchu by train, we pick you up from your accommodation in Cusco at an agreed time and transfer you to the train station in Ollantaytambo, which is located in the Sacred Valley. We will board the Expedition Train at 10:32 am, so there is no need to get up very early. Your incredible train ride will take you to the small town of Aguas Calientes (also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo), at the base of the Machu Picchu Sanctuary.

Throughout the spectacular train journey through the Andean foothills following the Urubamba River, you will be able to look out the windows all the way and observe stunning natural sights of the Andes, with phenomenal views of the snow-capped mountains, green valley with some ancient Incan farming terraces and jungle landscape as we slowly descend to 2,040 m / 6, 692 ft, where the flora slowly transforms from green pastures to lush jungle, brimming with orchids and ferns. The train journey is fame for being one of the most beautiful in the world and is one of the top experiences to enjoy while in Peru.

After an incredible 2-hour journey, you’ll arrive in Aguas Calientes and be greeted by your guide, who will escort you to your hotel. There are no cars here so you need to go everywhere on foot. Once you check-in at your hotel in Aguas Calientes, you will have free time to enjoy a tasty lunch at one of the best restaurants in town and explore the picturesque town as you wish.

The town of Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu Pueblo, the closest to the most famous Inca ruins in South America, lies in the middle of a deep, green valley with a rushing river running through the middle, surrounded by immense mountains that seem to speak. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants to hang out at or you take a hike to the hot spring where you can spend the afternoon relaxing before your big day tomorrow.

At 7:00 pm, you’ll enjoy a delicious dinner at the restaurant of your choice and your guide will fill you in on all that’ll happen tomorrow with a detailed briefing. Make sure you head to bed relatively early as you’ll be up before the sun tomorrow.

• Accommodation: Comfortable 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes
• Hotel elevation: 2,040 m / 6,693 ft
• Physical Grading: Easy
• Meals: Not Included (there are many restaurants there)

Day 2: Aguas Calientes Town – Machu Picchu Inca Site – Ollantaytambo – Cusco

To make the most of your visit to the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu – one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, we encourage you to get there bright and early to beat the large crowds. For this reason, we will wake up early to enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then walk to the bus station to take one of the first buses up to the historic sanctuary. The first bus leaves at 5:30 am and the ride is around 25 minutes long and follows a steep and winding path that provides you with some spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.

Once you reach the archaeological complex, your tour guide will take you to the best views before the day trippers arrive. Then, you’ll start a 2-hour guided, walking tour with your knowledgeable guide who’ll take you exploring all the most significant parts of this impressive citadel of Machu Picchu: The Sun Temple, the great Intiwatana (sundial rock), Main Plaza, Temple of the 3 Windows, the urban sector, and the agriculture sector, among others.

Many local people thought of Machu Picchu to be a legend, but no one had seen it for a long time. Then in 1911, the explorer Hiram Bingham stumbled upon its remains. The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu stands at 2,430 m / 7,972 ft, in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, in an extraordinarily beautiful setting. On the eastern slope of the Andes, the natural setting encompasses the upper Amazon basin with its rich diversity of flora and fauna.

After your tour, you’ll have time to explore the ruins on your own. If you get tickets to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain in advance, you’ll be able to head to that adventure at this point too. From both, you get an incredible view over the whole citadel. Alternatively, you can hike up to the Sun Gate or Inca Bridge without an extra ticket. At around 12 pm it’ll be time to start making your way back down to Aguas Calientes.

Once you’re back in the town, you’ll have some time to enjoy lunch at one of the many restaurants there, and be able to browse the shop in case you want to buy any souvenirs if you didn’t go yesterday or want to visit again. Then, be sure to arrive at the train station 30 minutes before your departure. At around 4:00 pm, you’ll board the train that takes you to Ollantaytambo, where you will catch our private transportation for another 2-hour drive back to Cusco and then we drop you off at your accommodation for some well-deserved rest.

• Meals: Breakfast at your hotel, lunch and dinner not included
• Physical Grading: Difficulty
• Activity Duration: 2-5 hours exploring
• Picchu Site Elevation: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
• Huayna Picchu Mountain Elevation: 2,720 m / 8,924 ft
• Machu Picchu Mountain Elevation: 3,000 m / 9843 ft

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Ollantaytambo Train Station – Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

For Machu Picchu 1 Day Tour, we’ll pick you up at your hotel at 4:00 am, and then drive in our private van to Ollantaytambo Train Station to leave on the 6:10 am train. Your Expedition train departs Ollantaytambo at 6:10 and takes you along the banks of the sacred Vilcanota River to the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.

On the way, you will see ancient villages, pristine Mother Nature, snow-capped mountains, the beginning of the Inca Trail, and a vast variety of exotic plants and wildlife in their natural habitats. When you arrive at Aguas Calientes (also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo) our local guide will meet you at the train station, then you will have a little time to buy a snack before you take the shuttle up to the Citadel of Machu Picchu.

Once you arrive at the archaeological complex, your guide will take you to the best viewpoint to see Machu Picchu in all its splendor as well take advantage of this opportunity to snap some amazing photos. Then, your tour guide gives you the full tour, which takes about two hours. During this tour, you will explore the most important places in the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, including the Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Condor, Temple of Three Windows, Sun Dial, Quarry and the House of the Inca.

After your wonderful guided tour, you will have free time to explore on your own. Once your visit is over, you will take the bus back down to the town of Machu Picchu Pueblo for lunch (not included). Depending on your train departure time, you may also have time for some shopping, sightseeing in the town.

In the afternoon, your will board the Expedition train that departs at 14:55 pm and take you back to Ollantaytambo, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Upon arrival at the Ollantaytambo train station, we’ll be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You can expect to arrive at your hotel by 19:00.