Inca Trail Machu Picchu 2D/1N USD 420
The most famous trek, in South America, is the Inca Trail that connects the Incas´ Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu, and goes through the Sun´s Gate, or Inti Punku, to get to the Incan city.
On the way, we´ll visit important Incan architectural complexes, like Wiñay Wayna, as well as a high jungle cloud forest, where we´ll have chances to observe bromeliads, orchids, bamboos and other species of flora, typical of mountains and cloud forests. With due respect to the fauna, the spectacled bear stands-out, as well as the hummingbird, little cock of the rocks, quetzal, tragón and many other species, without mentioning a great variety of butterflies and insects.
OVERVIEW
DAY 1: CUSCO – OLLANTAYTAMBO – KM. 104 – WIÑAY WAYNA – INTI PUNKU – MACHU PICCHU
ACTIVITIES: Train trip to Km. 104, on the Cusco-Quillabamba railway. Hike, guided visit of Wiñay Wayna, and arrival in Machu Picchu, through the Sun God´s Gate (Inti Punku).
DAY 2: MACHU PICCHU – MACHUPICCHU PUEBLO – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO
ACTIVITIES: Guided visit of Machu Picchu, free time, exploration of the Incan City, lunch in Machupicchu Pueblo, and train trip to Ollantaytambo.
ITINERARY
DAY 1: CUSCO – OLLANTAYTAMBO – KM. 104 – WIÑAY WAYNA – INTI PUNKU – MACHU PICCHU
At 3:30 a.m., we´ll pick you up at your hotel, aboard our group transportation vehicle, to head towards Ollantaytambo´s railway station, and board a train bound to Machupicchu Pueblo (ex Aguas Calientes). However, we´ll get off the train, at Km. 104, to start our trek, on the Inca Trail, as we register at the Chachabamba Checkpoint.
The first part of the hike consists in a gradual two and a half hour-ascent, to get to the Incan Architectural Complex of Wiñay Wayna which our guide will show us, commenting on its numerous agricultural benched terraces built on the mountainous slope, and giving us details about its houses, temples and water fountains that still work, up to this very day, while we enjoy impressive views of a waterfall.
After the visit, we´ll have a box-lunch, and then, we´ll go through the second checkpoint, to go on walking on a pleasant ondulating path, covered by the canopies of beautiful trees. Finally, we´ll get to the Inti Punku, or Sun God´s Gate, from which we´ll contemplate the first views of Machu Picchu that, sometimes, is wrapped-up in clouds.
After having taken excellent pictures, we´ll walk down to Machu Picchu´s Entrance Checkpoint, to take a tourism bus that will take us down to the pedestrian village of Machupicchu Pueblo, to have dinner, and spend the night at a hotel.
DAY 2: MACHU PICCHU – MACHUPICCHU PUEBLO – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO
At 7:00 a.m., we´ll board a bus, to go up to Machu Picchu and, before going through the Entrance Checkpoint, we´ll use the public restrooms, because there aren´t any inside the Incan City.
Once inside the archaeological complex, we´ll enjoy a guided visit, of Machu Picchu´s main architectural compounds, after which we´ll have some free time, to explore the site, on our own, and take pictures.
Then, once again, we´ll take the bus, down to Machupicchu Pueblo, where we´ll have lunch and, in the afternoon, a train will take us back to Ollantaytambo. There, our agency´s staff will be awaiting, and will help you board the transportation vehicle, to return to the city of Cusco, where it will drop you off, in front of your respective hotels.
INCLUDED - NOT INCLUDED
Included:
- Transportation, from the hotel to Ollantaytambo´s railway station.
- Inca Rail´s Expedition or Executive Train, from Ollantaytambo to Km. 104.
- Entrance ticket to the Inca Trail.
- Professional guide.
- Bus down, from Machu Picchu to Machupicchu Pueblo.
- Bus up, from Machupicchu Pueblo to Machu Picchu, on the second day.
- One box-lunch.
- Entrance ticket to the Incan City of Machu Picchu.
- One night at a budget hotel, in Machupicchu Pueblo.
- Transfer from Ollantaytambo´s railway station, to your hotel, in Cusco.
Not included:
- Lunch in Machupicchu Pueblo, on the second day.
- Entrance ticket to Machupicchu Pueblo´s Thermal Baths.
- Tips and personal expenses.
RECOMMENDATIONS
What to bring:
- Original passport or identification document.
- Mosquito repellent.
- Impermeable coat or plastic poncho for the rain.
- Personal hygiene kit and towel.
- Hiking sticks with rubber tips.
- Canteen for water.
- Hiking shoes.
- Photo and/or video camera, with extra batteries.
- Flashlight with extra batteries.
- Light binoculars.
- Extra cash, in Nuevos Soles (PEN).
- Sunglasses, wide-brim hat and sunblock lotion.