After an excellent breakfast at your hotel in Ollantaytambo, today we will depart at 8:00 am for a visit to the Salineras – also known as the salt pans of Maras—which was the main salt supply for the nearby towns of the Sacred Valley and the Inca Empire, developed by the Inca to harvest salt through evaporation. Nowadays, there are more than 3,000 salt ponds, and are still in use today and are carefully maintained by a close community with regulations and rules that date back to the time of the Inca. These pools are owned by local farmers and become the main economic activity for all the locals.

After visiting the beautiful salt mines of Maras, continue to stunning Inca ruins of Moray—circular agricultural terraces excavated deep in the ground that are preserved to this day. The Inca used Moray Terraces as a way to study farming, or for experimental with micro climates and get different vegetables. The archaeological complex of Moray is also one of the most photographed sites in the area.

We will then drive to the village of Chinchero, believed by the Incas to be the birthplace of the rainbow. At Chinchero, we will see extensive Inca terraces, used as the perfect location to farm potatoes, where the Inca civilization got their supply of potatoes from here. We will also see a small colonial-era church, that was built by the Spaniards, on the top of the Inca palace.

Finally, we will visit the Chinchero’s famous textile production and weaving crafts, and learn about the process of cleaning and producing the wool, then browse the selection of vibrant textiles for the perfect handmade gift. We will then head back to Urubamba or Ollantaytambo to enjoy lunch at one of the local restaurants.

Afterwards, we’ll head to the Ollantaytambo train station to board the Expedition Train at 15:36pm, or the Voyager Train at 4:30pm (depending on availability). From there, you’ll enjoy a charming and comfortable train journey heading to Aguas Calientes, the modern town of Machu Picchu. The magical train trip will last one and a half hours, crossing the spectacular Peruvian jungle, always accompanied by the singing of exotic birds, leafy undergrowth, and the Vilcanota river that will follow the train’s movement, like a snake on the lookout for its prey!

Upon arrival at Aguas Calientes, you will be taken to your hotel, where you will have time to take a nice warm shower. Later, around 7 pm, you will head out for your dinner in Aguas Calientes village, which is not included in the package, so you can choose your own restaurant. Then, you will probably have some time to explore the city on your own before getting ready for bed and prepare for your next day, visiting Machu Picchu.

• Overnight accommodation: Jaya Machupicchu (or similar)
• Entrance ticket: All the ticket is included
• Meals: Breakfast only at your hotel

MUST BOOK IN ADVANCE TO SECURE BETTER CIRCUITS FOR MACHU PICCHU CITADEL VISIT

Today is the most important day of your visit to Peru and your tour, as you will explore one of the Seven Wonders of the World: the citadel of Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is strictly regulated by the Peruvian government and UNESCO. After the pandemic, authorities implemented changes to preserve and manage visitor traffic, introducing up to 10 different circuits. Of these, the most significant and distinct are circuits 1, 2, 3, and 4. The most recommended circuits are 2 and 3, with Circuit 2 being the best for those who haven’t completed the Inca Trail, as it includes the famous viewpoint. Circuit 3 is nearly identical to 2 but skips the main viewpoint. It is crucial to book your visit well in advance to secure Circuit 2 for the most comprehensive experience of Machu Picchu.

We encourage you to wake up early at your hotel to visit Machu Picchu at 6:00am. Although an early rise can be tiring, this unique experience is absolutely worth it—visiting in the early hours allows you to avoid the crowds and enjoy the Inca Citadel with fewer tourists. However, if you find this time too early, we can also secure your entrance ticket to Machu Picchu for 7:00am or 8:00am, depending on your preference. Of course, we’ll be glad to take care of purchasing the tickets to Machu Picchu for the time that works best for you.

After early breakfast at your hotel, you and your tour guide will walk for 5-10 minutes to get to the bus station. The first shuttle bus departs at 5:30am, but arriving earlier is necessary as there will be a queue. Seating is not guaranteed and depends on arrival order. The bus journey takes 25 minutes up a switchback road to get to Machu Picchu’s entrance. Before entering, it’s recommended to use the public bathrooms (cost: 2 soles).

After passing the Machu Picchu checkpoint, those with entrance ticket (Circuit 2) will head to the famous Machu Picchu viewpoint, which everyone wants to see, and then it includes touring most of the ruins, including both the upper and lower areas of the site, while entrance ticket (Circuit 3) begins at the agricultural terraces and it does NOT include the famous viewpoint, and it only visits the lower half of the main ruins. For additional exploration, you may consider purchasing a separate ticket for Circuit 1 to revisit the viewpoint, though this must also be booked in advance.

With entrance ticket (Circuit 2), as soon as you arrive at the spectacular and mystical site, we will take you to the best spot overlooking all the ruins to observe the sunrise and see a spectacular view of the Lost City of the Incas.

After soaking it all in and taking your first few photographs, you will have 2.5 to 3 private guided tour around the Inca Citadel, with ample opportunities for photos and videos— this guided tour includes walking through the different sections of the city, such as the urban sector, the agriculture sector, and the religions zone. After the guided tour, you’ll have approximately 30 minutes of restricted free time to explore the city by yourself.

Additionally, this free time can be used to climb the Huayna Picchu mountain to have the best panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. This climb takes about 45 minutes up, with 30 minutes at the summit and 45 minutes to descend back to Machu Picchu. This ticket is limited to 400 people daily and requires advance booking.

Once the tour is over, those without Huayna Picchu or an extra Circuit 1 ticket will exit Machu Picchu after the guided tour and return to Aguas Calientes by bus. Everyone will eventually exit Machu Picchu from the same location, whether returning from mountain hikes or viewpoints. At Aguas Calientes, you’ll enjoy a fantastic lunch on your own in one of the restaurants in the zone.

Next, you’ll have to go to the Aguas Calientes train station to take your Expedition train at 2:55pm or 3:20pm (based on availability), or the Voyager Train at 2:30pm and return to Ollantaytambo train station. Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, Peru Spirit Adventure transportation will bring you back to Cusco, and drop you off directly to your hotel or Airbnb, arriving around 6:30pm or 7:00pm. Although the day is long and busy, it is incredibly rewarding and memorable. At PSA take pride and care in ensuring the best experience for all our travelers.