OVERVIEW
INCA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU
DAY 01: CUSCO – OLLANTAYTAMBO – KM 104 – AGUAS CALIENTES
We pick you up very early (5 am) from your hotel in Cusco (3,400 m/11,155 ft). You get on our private vehicle taking you for approximately an hour to the railway station of Ollantaytambo, a town in Sacred Valley. So, you board a train there with a direction to Machupicchu, however; you get off at the so-called Km 104 (2,100 m/6,890 ft). This is a checkpoint of the short 2-day Inca Trail to Machupicchu. After passing it, you start hiking until you arrive at the Inca site´s remains of Wiñay Wayna (2,700 m/8,858 ft). There, you explore its houses, terraces, towers and the site´s museum. Afterwards, you eat a boxed lunch to recharge your energy.
When ready, you continue walking towards Inti Punku (the Sun Gate in Quechua native language). At this point, you are offered a spectacular view of the Inca citadel of Machupicchu. However, you do not visit it today as the following day is reserved for its larger exploration. So, you get on a shuttle bus taking you down to the town of Aguas Calientes (Hot Springs, 2,040 m/6,693 ft), where you accommodate yourself in a hotel and have dinner. At the end of the day, you can either rest or visit the local thermal baths (entrance ticket is not included in the trail). You overnight in the hotel.
Maximum altitude: 2,700 metres / 8,858 feet
Minimum altitude: 2,100 metres / 6,890 feet
Duration of the trek: Around 9 hours
Trekking distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Weather: Warm to moderate
DAY 02: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHUPICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO
At 06:00 am, you have a buffet breakfast in the hotel. Your Tour Guide picks you up and takes you to a bus stop where you again get on a shuttle bus. It takes you uphill following a zigzag road until you reach the gateway of the Sanctuary of Machupicchu (2,430 m/7,972 ft). First off, you need to pass through a control point (do not forget your passport or you will not be allowed to enter!). Secondly, you are given a 4-hour private guided tour while the Guide explains to you each known detail of its history.
Thirdly, he/she shows you around architectural collections of a greater interest which are situated in the so-called “Royal Tomb”. It is located very close to the gateway. Also, you explore the Temple of the Sun (around the structured tower), the Temple of the Three Windows, the Central Temple, the Mansion of the Priests, the sunken place. You can see their lots of springs formed in water channels and many stairways. All entirely made of stone.
Further, there are rocks used for high ritual purposes. The most important of which is “Inti Watana” or the Solar Clock. After the guided part, you are given time off in order to take some more pictures and explore the citadel on your own. When you decide, you use a bus ticket (that the Guide has given you previously) to descend back to Aguas Calientes and have lunch (not included). Later on, you board a train returning to Ollantaytambo and afterwards we take you on a private vehicle back to Cusco. Before we tell you goodbye, we bring you to your hotel.
Maximum altitude: 2,430 metres / 7,972 feet
Minimum altitude: 2,040 metres / 6,693 feet
Duration of the trek: N/A
Trekking distance: N/A
Difficulty: Easy
Weather: Humid-warm
ITINERARY
INCA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU
DAY 01: CUSCO – OLLANTAYTAMBO – KM 104 – AGUAS CALIENTES
- 5 am – pick-up from your hotel.
- Transport from Cusco to the railway station at Ollantaytambo.
- Train ride to Km 104 the checkpoint of the trek.
- 3-hour hike towards Machupicchu.
- Guided visit to the archaeological site of Wiñay Wayna.
- Eating a lunch box in Wiñay Wayna.
- Trek to Inti Punku (Sun Gate).
- Guided tour of the Sun Gate observing Machupicchu from far.
- The shuttle bus ride to the below-located town of Aguas Calientes (Hot Springs in English).
- Accommodation at your hotel in Aguas Calientes.
- Option of visiting the local thermal baths (hot springs).
- Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 02: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHUPICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO
- 06:00 am – breakfast at the hotel.
- Pick-up by your Tour Guide.
- Getting on a shuttle bus taking you uphill to Machupicchu.
- 4-hour private guided tour of the Sanctuary of Machupicchu.
- Time off enabling you to enjoy the Inca citadel on your own.
- When you are ready, use a shuttle bus ticket to bring you back down to Aguas Calientes.
- Lunch (not included in the tour).
- The train ride back to Ollantaytambo (2 hours).
- Transport back to the city of Cusco (approx. an hour).
- Transfer to your hotel.
- End of service of the Inca Trail to Machupicchu.
OPTIONAL
OPTIONAL:
- Climb to the Machupicchu Mountain, a mountain situated above the Inca citadal accessible by a 1.5-hour climb. Here you are able to take those postcard-like photos of Machupicchu. It costs USD 15 extra. Please note that the booking needs to be done at least 1 month in advance due to a limited number of tickets!
- Wayna Picchu – a mountain situated above the Inca citadal accessible by the 45-minute climb. It serves to take some panoramic photos of Machupicchu. It is an extra USD 25. Please note that the booking needs to be done at least 3 months in advance due to a limited number of entrances!
INCLUDED
WHAT DOES THE INCA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU TOUR INCLUDE?
- Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco.
- A professional English-speaking Tour Guide.
- Guide Assistant (for groups of over 10 participants).
- Entrance ticket to the Inca Trail and Machupicchu.
- Private transport to/from Ollantaytambo.
- Train to the starting point of the trek at so-called Km 104.
- 1 night in a 3*hotel in Aguas Calientes (below Machupicchu).
- Meals: 1x breakfast, 1x lunch, 1x dinner, hot beverages during main meals – a vegetarian option available upon request.
- First aid kit and a bottle of oxygen.
- 3 tickets for a shuttle bus between Aguas Calientes and Machupicchu.
- Private guided tour of Machupicchu.
- Return train to Ollantaytambo.
- Drop off at your hotel in Cusco.
NOT INCLUDED
THE INCA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Lunch on day 2 (in Aguas Calientes).
- Beverages (apart from the main meals).
- Porters.
- Entrance fee to the thermal baths at Aguas Calientes (10 Soles).
- Tips to local staff.
- Pocket money.
- Accommodation in Cusco.
- Any flight.
- Travel insurance.
WHAT TO BRING
WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU TO THE INCA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU TOUR?
- Original passport!!! (Please note: It will be checked at the gateway! If you fail to bring it, you will not be allowed to enter!)
- Necessary stuff for a 2-day trek (We recommend a backpack of up to 5 kg of your belongings some of which might be carried by an extra porter – USD 70 extra.);
- Personal medicines (if applicable);
- Small backpack;
- Warm clothes such as a jacket, a sweater, long trousers as well as light clothes such as shorts and a T-shirt;
- Rainy coat or poncho (especially, from November to April);
- Trekking shoes;
- Camera;
- Extra batteries and/or power bank;
- A peak/hat;
- Sunglasses;
- Sun protection cream;
- Insect repellent;
- Toiletries;
- Towel;
- Toilet paper;
- Swimsuit (in case you like to visit the thermal baths at Aguas Calientes);
- Bottled water;
- Water purification tablets (optional);
- Pocket money (to buy some souvenirs or refreshments).
MAP
GUIDE MAP FOR THE INCA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU
PRICE
INCA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU
The price depends on the number of participants, accommodation availability, travel dates and other preferencies. Please inquire about a personalized price.