IMPORTANT NOTICE:

LAST MINUTE BOOKINGS (LESS THAN 4 WEEKS BEFORE THE TOUR DATE):
If you reserve a Machu Picchu tour within 4 weeks of the departure date - there are likely some adjustments we must make to the itinerary so we can help you to secure an entrance to the ruins. We strongly recommend that all travelers book a Machu Picchu tour well in advance (3+ months) to avoid these requirements.

As Machu Picchu tickets sell out in advance, the authorities are currently releasing a very limited number of entrance tickets at the Aguas Calientes ticket office for the next day. To acquire one of these last-minute tickets there is a queue system in Aguas Calientes. We will assist all last-minute reservations with this process.

The circuit you can usually expect to do at Machu Picchu is Circuit 1 or 2. However, this is not a guarantee, there is a small risk Circuit 1 & 2 are sold out even at the Machu Picchu ticket office in which case the traveler would need to pay an additional 48 soles to purchase a Circuit 3 or 4 entrance ticket. We have no way of impacting on that in advance and it will depend on the availability and queue on the day.


DAY 1: CUSCO CITY - OLLANTAYTAMBO - AGUAS CALIENTES

You’ll be picked up from your hostel at 10:00am, and be driven to Ollantaytambo. From there, you’ll take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas calientes at 12:55pm. On arrival to Aguas Caliente’s train station (at around 2:50pm), you’ll find our staff waiting for you. They’ll take you to the hostel where you’ll spend the night.

The town of Aguas Calientes – otherwise known as Machu Picchu pueblo – is the gateway to the magnificent Machu Picchu. It is therefore a tourist hotspot, as many people opt to stay the night here before rising in the early hours of the following morning to make the journey to the sacred Incan citadel. As this place basically serves as a stop-over point, there isn’t too much to do here. Despite this, you’ll find everything you need – restaurants, shops, and even massage parlours. Get some rest and an early night’s kip, as you’ll need all your energy for the big day tomorrow!

• Accommodation: 1 Night ( double, twin, triple, and 4-beds) - subject to availability
• Optional Activity: Hot Springs of Aguas Calientes

DAY 2: AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO CITY

Early in the morning, you’ll start the walk from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, following the stone steps with your fellow travellers. Depending on your physical condition or you have the option to take a bus according to the time of your entrance.

Once you’ve entered the sacred site of Machu Picchu, our guide will conduct a 2-hour tour. You’ll get to see the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Solar Clock, and the Royal Quarters, amongst other places of interest. After the tour, you’ll have some free time to explore, take pictures, or just walk around the sanctuary of Machu Picchu.

As the day comes to an end, in the afternoon you’ll take the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, and then travel by bus to Cusco.

Arrival time in Cusco:
Train return 6:20 pm - Arrival at 10:20 pm - subject to availability

Note: You must email us a scanned copy or photograph of your passport immediately after you have booked your tour. This is to enable the purchase of your Machu Picchu entrance ticket. It must be the passport you will use to enter Machu Picchu itself. This is a requirement when booking any tour of Machu Picchu from any operator.

Note: If you are staying at a different location than the one you select as your pick up location, it is explicitly your responsibility to be at the main entrance of the hotel or hostel selected as your pick up location for the duration of the pick up time range on your tour date. You must be in a visible place easy to see for the operator and be alert for their vehicle/guide when they go to pick you up for the tour.

DAY 1:

CUSCO HOTEL PICK UP

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DAY 1:

TRAVEL FROM CUSCO TO OLLANTAYTAMBO

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DAY 1:

TRAIN FROM OLLANTAYTAMBO TO AGUAS CALIENTES

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DAY 1:

ARRIVAL TO AGUAS CALIENTES STATION

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DAY 1:

OVERNIGHT IN HOSTEL

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DAY 2:

EARLY WALK FROM AGUAS CALIENTES TO MACHU PICCHU

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DAY 2:

GUIDED TOUR OF MACHU PICCHU

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DAY 2:

TRAIN FROM AGUAS CALIENTES TO OLLANTAYTAMBO

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DAY 2:

BUS FROM OLLANTAYTAMBO TO CUSCO

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- Mini-bus from Cusco - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
- Train ticket from Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo (Voyager 16:36 h or Expedition 19:00 h this times could change at any moment)
- Hostel in Aguas Calientes (shared rooms)
- Entrance to Machu Picchu
- Professional tour guide
- Transfer

- Bus tickets up and down Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu $ 24.00
- Food
- Entrance to Machupicchu Mountain (if you want to add this please send us an email BEFORE YOU BOOK)
- Entrance to Huaynapicchu Mountain (if you want to add this please send us an email BEFORE YOU BOOK)
- Travel insurance.
- Tips

-Up grade to Vistadome train subject to availability and requires an additional payment of 40 USD per person.

-If the schedule of your train allows it, we recommend visiting the Chavez Ballon Museum, which is the site museum of Machu Picchu, from 12:00 noon, admission is free, to enter just show your passport.
- Sun hat
- Sun cream
- Waterproof/rain jacket or rain poncho
- Water
- Snacks
- Camera

Cancellation or changes to this tour:

CHANGES: Any changes to the date or time of a reservation can be made up until 6:00pm (Lima time) 30 days before or earlier the tour begins for no additional fee. Changes subject to availability. Change requests must be via email to info@yapaexplorers.com and received prior to the time.

NO SHOWS & CANCELLATIONS: If you cancel 60 days prior or earlier to the tour before 6:00 pm (Lima time), a 50% administration fee will apply. After this time there is a 100% no-show or cancellation fee. You must email info@yapaexplorers.com (include the name of the tour and the reservation number) to cancel this tour or to make any changes.

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 30-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 some dizzy sensations 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 though, 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 further steps to take: Drink lots of water and 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 (Soroche) Altitude Sickness pills 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 2500meters, 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 you symptoms are more severe than a headache and mild dizziness you should seek to descend in altitude and seek medical assistance.

7. Where can I buy bus ticket for return to Aguas Calientes?

   You can buy it at Aguas Calientes village before the tour begins or at the main entrance to Machu Picchu.

8. Where can I have lunch?

   Aguas Calientes Village has lots of restaurants or if you prefer, next to Machu Picchu entrance there's a restaurant that belongs to The Sanctuary Lodge.

9. How can I recognize the tour guide after the train journey?

   The tour guide will wait for you with a signboard and your name on it at the exit of Aguas Calientes Station.

10. Why book with FindLocalTrips.com?

    Apart from our low price guarantee, with us you can be 100% assured that your booking is made. We provide instant email confirmation and have live spaces and availability for each tour. You are in the capable hands of our team here on the ground of 20 local experts who speak perfect Spanish and English, always ready with a quick response to any and all questions you might have. Tour operators are experts at operating their tours...we are the experts at reservations, organisation and assistance with your plans for these tours.