OVERVIEW
MACHUPICCHU – CHEAP WAY
DAY 01: CUSCO – SANTA MARIA – SANTA TERESA – AGUAS CALIENTES
The Machupicchu Cheap Way tour starts very early in the morning. You are picked up by our team consisting of a Tour Guide and a Driver taking you by private vehicle towards the Sacred Valley. During the ride, we recognize the beauty of the so-called Queswa (lukewarm to cold) micro-climate. When we get to Ollantaytambo Town, we start ascending to the highest point of the trip: the Malaga Pass (4,318 m.a.s.l.). On the way, we get through different altitudes. We stop at the pass to be able to appreciate the wonderful scenery of the “Ceja de selva” (literally the “Jungle´s Eyebrow” which means a high mountain jungle) of the Quillabamba District.
Afterward, a descending ride awaits us till we reach the village of Santa Maria where we follow an alternate route. We pass by a deep valley where many fruits and coca plants are growing before we arrive in Santa Teresa Town. We are served a buffet lunch that is traditional for the high forest area (on the way). If there is enough time (please see the Optional section below), we visit the medicinal thermal baths considered one of the best in Peru! Afterward, we continue to the railway station of Hidroelectrica (a hydroelectric plant) to start a 2 and half an hour walk to Aguas Calientes. As we walk along the railway, we can admire a beautiful landscape of some mountains covered with dense vegetation and listen to sounds of crickets and birds in the air until we finish in Aguas Calientes.
In this small town below Machupicchu, we accommodate ourselves in a hotel and have leisure time. So we can visit the local hot springs, the Putucusi Mountain, or the Orchid Garden (optional). Before going to sleep, we are given dinner.
DAY 02 MACHUPICHHU CHEAP WAY: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHUPICCHU – CUSCO
Early morning, we wake up to have breakfast. At 5 am, we are picked up by our Tour Guide to start an ascend hike up to the sacred city of the Incas. It takes us about 2 hours to overcome this steep mountain jungle trail offering stunning landscape views. Finally, we arrive at the National Historic Sanctuary of Machupicchu. We pass through a control point to start a private tour. Our Guide shows us and explains all sectors of this overwhelming Inca city. After the tour, we are given time off to explore the city on our own.
By noon, we need to start descending back to Aguas Calientes (about an hour hike) to be able to walk back to Hidroelectrica (2 and half an hour). Our private vehicle awaits us there at 3:30 pm. The return journey to Cusco takes about 6 hours. So we arrive there at 9 pm approximately. Upon arrival, we are transferred back to our hotel. The end of service of the Machupicchu – Cheap Way tour.
ITINERARY
MACHUPICCHU – CHEAP WAY
DAY 01: CUSCO – SANTA MARIA – SANTA TERESA – AGUAS CALIENTES
- Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco (alternatively, in Sacred Valley).
- Transfer to the railway station of Hidroelectrica via Santa Maria and Santa Teresa (approx. 5 hours).
- Buffet lunch (on the way).
- Walk (2 and half an hour) along the railway from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes.
- Check-in to a hotel in Aguas Calientes.
- Leisure time (you can visit the local hot springs, the Putucusi Mountain, or the Orchid Garden).
- Dinner and overnight.
DAY 02: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHUPICCHU – CUSCO
- Early breakfast at your hotel.
- Pick-up at the hotel by your Tour Guide.
- Ascend to Machupicchu on foot (for a bus ride – see the Optional section).
- Machu Picchu Private Tour (2 and a half hours).
- Leisure time at Machupicchu (taking photos, meditation, a walk around).
- Descend to the Aguas Calientes Town.
- In the afternoon, a walk back to Hidroelectrica (2 and half an hour).
- Private vehicle transport back to Cusco.
- Transfer to your hotel.
- The end of the Machupicchu – Cheap Way tour.
OPTIONAL
OPTIONAL:
- Thermal baths of Cocalmayo (Santa Teresa).
- Shuttle bus up and down to Machupicchu: USD 12 – one way.
- Climb to the Machu Picchu 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!
- Sun Gate (the end of the traditional Inca Trail) and the Inca Bridge. These two spots enable you to see Machupicchu from another point of view and take some pictures. There is no need for special booking, no admission fee is required. However, we need you to advise us in advance if you wish to do these alternatives as it requires a minimum of extra 2 hours!
INCLUDED
IN THE MACHUPICCHU CHEAP WAY TOUR INCLUDES:
- Pick-up from your hotel.
- Private vehicle transportation Cusco/Hidroelectrica/Cusco.
- A professional bilingual Tour Guide.
- 1 night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu).
- 1x breakfast, 1x lunch, 1x dinner, hot beverages during main meals – a vegetarian option available upon request.
- Machu Picchu Private Tour.
- Entrance ticket to Machupicchu.
NOT INCLUDED
IN THE MACHUPICCHU CHEAP WAY TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- A train Hidroelectrica-Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu).
- Shuttle bus up and down to Machupicchu.
- Lunch on the second day.
- Beverages (apart from the main meals).
- Tips to local staff.
- Entrance fee to the thermal baths.
- Accommodation not mentioned.
- Any flight.
WHAT TO BRING
WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU TO THE MACHUPICCHU CHEAP WAY 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!)
- Pocket money (to buy souvenirs or refreshments).
- Backpack with necessary clothes for 2 days (we recommend light clothes, e.g. shorts and T-shirts),
- Insect repellent (we recommend DEET 30),
- Sun protection cream,
- Sunglasses,
- A cap/hat,
- Jacket,
- Raincoat or poncho (especially, from November to April),
- Trekking shoes and sandals;
- Camera,
- Bottled water,
- Snack (eg. cookies, chocolates, candy),
- Toiletries,
- Toilet paper,
- Small towel,
- Flashlight,
- Swimsuit (in case, you like to visit the thermal baths at Aguas Calientes),
- Personal medication (if applicable).
PRICE
MACHUPICCHU CHEAP WAY
The price depends on the number of participants, accommodation availability, travel dates and other preferences. Please inquire about a personalized price.