Cusco - Ollantaytambo

We will pick you up early in the morning in order to start the tour. You will be transferred to the train station in Ollantaytambo in order to catch the train to Aguas Calientes. From here you will take a short 30 minute bus ride to the gates of Machu Picchu. A professional guide will lead you through the magnificent citadel and share the secrets of Inca architecture and their way of life.

Ollantaytambo is a town and Inca archaeological site located in southern Peru, about 90 km northwest of the city of Cuzco, can be reached by bus from the city of Cusco in an hour and a half. then the ride continues by train to machupicchu

Arrival to Machu Picchu

One of the Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu deserves all the attention it receives for being a masterpiece of engineering and architecture. It is the largest of the Peruvian Inca ruins and is believed to have been an important ceremonial site. Visitors will be impressed by the numerous plazas, temples, houses, storage facilities, solar clocks, stairs that are still intact after more than 500 years. The natural environment only adds to an already impressive view and no trip to Peru is complete without a visit to this sanctuary.

We will pick you up early in the morning to start the tour. You will be transferred to the train station in Ollantaytambo to take the train to Aguas Calientes, the closest city to Machu Picchu. From here, you will take a short 30-minute bus ride to the doors of Machu Picchu. A professional guide will guide you through the magnificent citadel and share the secrets of Inca architecture and its way of life.

During a tour of this magnificent site, your bilingual guide will explain everything about the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu and visit the main sites within the lost city. The guided tour will take around 2:30 to 3 hours. Afterwards, you will have free time to walk and admire this impressive place on your own. You will also have the option of climbing the mountain of Huayna Picchu, a walk of approximately 2 hours round trip. On this side excursion, you can visit some lesser-known Inca ruins, including a religious sanctuary built in a natural cave. From the top of the mountain, you will have an extraordinary view of Machu Picchu.

Once the visit to Machu Picchu is completed, we will descend to Aguas Calientes. From there, we will return by train to Cusco.

DAY 1: 3:55AM

HOTEL PICK UP IN CUSCO

DAY 1: 6:40AM

TRAIN FROM OLLANTAYTAMBO STATION TO MACHU PICCHU TOWN

DAY 1: 8:45AM

VISIT THE SITE OF MACHU PICCHU

DAY 1:

FREE TIME

DAY 1:

RETURN TO CUSCO CITY

- Professional English speaking guides
- Transfer from Cusco Hotel to Train Station in Ollantaytambo
- Train Ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
- Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu

- Entrance fee to hot springs in Aguas Calientes
- Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain

- Personal water bottle and snack
- Sunscreen (SPF 35+ recommended)
- Camera/video camera (optional)
- Entrance fee to hot springs (optional)
- Bathing suit (optional)

No booking available at the time.

1. I cannot find my accommodation listed in the operator pick up locations when making my booking. What should I select?

   This operator only offers pick-ups from the hotel and hostel accommodation listed, this covers over 90% of the accommodation providers in the area. They do not provide pick-ups or drop-offs at private residences, Airbnbs, bus terminals etc. Select an alternative close by and be ready there for pick-up at the time on your booking confirmation

2. How do I avoid altitude sickness?

   Take Soroche (Diamox) pills, eat small meals, drink coca tea, drink lots of water, and avoid alcohol (it’s a dehydrator). The best way to avoid altitude sickness is to acclimatize yourself. The recommended approach for acclimatization is to ascend gradually, spending at least 24 hours at every 2,000ft increase in altitude.

3. Where is Machu Picchu?

   Machu Picchu is near a town called Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu Town. From there, it is a 1.5 hour hike up steps, or a 20-minute bus ride to the complex itself.

4. Why is the train so expensive?

   Peru Rail and Inca Rail are the two operators which have a duopoly on the route, so they can maintain very high prices.

5. Is the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu worth it?

   The walk up to Machu Picchu can be seen as part of the experience. However, the bus is an option for those who are tired after a long trek, or who just want to save their energy for all the walking at the top.

6. Will I have problems with altitude sickness on this tour?

   Altitude sickness can catch many travellers a little bit off guard. Not everyone gets sick in high altitudes, and it is difficult to predict who is likely to be badly affected by it. For most people, it is nothing more than a headache and a dizzy sensation that diminishes over a short period of time, 1 to 2 days for most people. If you want to limit your chances of getting sick, there are a few things you can do. Firstly, do not fly directly into high altitude - proceed slowly, allowing your body time to acclimatise as you ascend gradually. However, for many that is not possible, so it’s important to drink lots of water, and to slow down! This sounds simple, but both of these things are very important. Your body is struggling because you don’t have enough oxygen, so avoiding any strenuous activity is a good idea. Chew some coca leaves - the native people of South America have been chewing coca for centuries, thanks to its ability to alleviate mild altitude sickness symptoms. Coca leaves can be bought in any supermarket, and even souvenir shops or street stalls. Take altitude sickness pills (Soroche): these are sold over the counter all over Peru and Bolivia, and are just a few dollars. If you are flying straight into altitude over 2500metres without spending any time at an intermediate elevation, and you’re worried about getting sick, you can ask your doctor for more specific and stronger altitude sickness medication in advance. In the rare case that your symptoms are more severe than a headache and mild dizziness, you should descend in altitude and seek medical assistance.