DAY 1: CUSCO – ALPACA FARM – PISAQ MARKET – PISAQ INCA – OLLANTAYTAMBO – TRAIN TO AGUAS CALIENTES

To begin the Sacred Valley & Machu Pichhu Train Tour we will pick you up from any hotel in Cusco at either 7 or 8 a.m., depending on what train you take back, after your tour. You and your tour guide will take our private transportation to the first stop, the Awanacancha Alpaca farm. Here, you will see the traditional animals of the Incas: llamas, alpacas, viñuna, and guanaco. Your guide will give you background information, show you a potato display and a textile center, showing how the wools are woven and colored. Good quality alpaca wool will be for sale. Then, we’ll drive to El Mirador del Valle Sagrado, the Sacred Valley Lookout Point, for amazing views and photos. Following, we will visit the famous Pisaq Market, where women come down from the Andean villages to sell their textiles and vegetables. The market is open every day, but is busiest on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. After the visit to the market, we will continue the journey up to the Pisaq Inca Archeological site, located on top of Pisaq Mountain in the Sacred Valley. Your tour guide will take you to the most impressive spots. Then, we will drive along the valley for about 45 minutes, until we reach Urubamba, where we will stop for lunch. You will have an amazing selection of fresh dishes, served buffet-style. After lunch, we will drive to Ollantaytambo, where the second heaviest Inca monoliths are to be found. The ruins have an amazing Temple of the Sun, Moon, and The Temple of the 10 Niches. This living Incan town displays narrow walkways, lined with water channels.

If your departing train is at 7 p.m., you will have time to explore more of the town and enjoy dinner. If your departing train is at 3:36 p.m., you will need to head to the train station and catch your train to Aguas Calientes, where you may have dinner there (the train schedule will depend on how far in advance you are booking and/or the availability of the train.) The train trip to Aguas Calientes is just under two hours, descending into the Cloud Forest, where you will see orchids, bromeliads and ferns. Our representatives will meet you just outside the train station, upon arrival and lead you to your hotel.

Hotel: La Cabaña or similar
Tour Type: Historical and cultural, the tour is done by our private van
Meals: Included.
Highlights: Alpaca farm visit, Pisaq Inca Archeological site, Pisaq Market, Ollantaytambo town and archeological site, personalized service

DAY 2: AGUAS CALIENTES TOWN – MACHU PICCHU TRAIN JOURNEY BACK TO CUSCO

Today you will visit Machu Picchu. You will be visiting the famous Sacred City of the Incas, the crystal city of the Inca civilization. You will determine, with your tour guide, the best time to start your day. Most people prefer to rise at 4 a.m. walk to the bus station to take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu. It can be enjoyable to arrive at the ruins as soon as they open, at 6 a.m., to catch the magical mists on the ruins as the sun rises. After a 25 minute bus ride to Machu Picchu, your tour guide will take you to the best views before the day trippers arrive. Then, we will start the two hour guided, walking tour, exploring all of the famous places of this impressive citadel: The Temple of the Sun, The Royal Tomb, The Intiwatana (sun dial rock), Main Plaza, Temple of the 3 Windows, The Artisan Sector, the Condor Temple and many others. After the tour, you will have time to explore the ruins on your own. If you have booked permits to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain, you will head to that adventure. If you chose not to book a hike, you can climb to the Sun Gate and witness its amazing views. At around 2:30 or 3 p.m., you will need to take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes to enjoy lunch at one of the many restaurants there.

Be sure to arrive at the train station 30 minutes before your departure. Our train schedule is usually at 4:20 p.m. to Ollantaytambo, where you will catch our private transportation for another two hour drive back to Cusco. If you care to upgrade the train to the Vistadome-class service, then you will have the choice to leave at either 4:43 p.m. or 5:23 p.m. Both Vistadome trains take you to Poroy station, where our driver will collect you and drive you back to Cusco.

Note: Machu Picchu Inca site is different from Machu Picchu Mountain. When most people refer to Machu Picchu, they are referring to the archeological site. Machu Picchu Mountain requires a separate permit to climb. Please notify us if you are interested and we can book this for you. It must be done in advance and is a part of your entry into the site.

DAY 1: 6:50AM

HOSTEL AND HOTEL PICK UP

---

DAY 1:

TRANSFER TO TRAIN STATION (POROY)

---

DAY 1:

GO TO MACHU PICCHU TOWN BY TRAIN

---

DAY 1:

OVERNIGHT IN MACHU PICCHU TOWN

---

DAY 2:

GO TO MACHU PICCHU

---

DAY 2:

GUIDED TOUR

---

DAY 2:

FREE TIME

---

DAY 2:

RETURN TO CUSCO CITY

---

- Professional Guides

- Hotel: We include a 3 star Hotel in Aguas Calientes. Most often, it is La Cabana Hotel, based on availability. This hotel can be upgraded to any hotel in the town for the price difference. It is also possible to book this tour without a hotel for $50 off our listed price (per person). Our price is based on rooming two people per room. There is a $50 surcharge for a single room at La Cabana (prices vary by hotel).

- Transportation: All your transportation is included in this trek. You will be picked up directly from your hotel around 8 a.m. to begin this tour. There will have time to enjoy dinner in Ollantaytambo before taking the 7 p.m. expedition train to Aguas Clients. The train returning to Ollantaytambo is again, expedition class. Upgrades to the Vistadome are available for $75 per person, one way, or $125 per person, round-trip. Once you arrive at the train station, you will be brought back to your hotel in Cusco. Your round trip bus ticket from Aguas Clientes to Machu Picchu is also included.

- Train Tickets: Train tickets are in Expeditions tourist class. Your train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes will be at 7:00 pm and from Aguas Calientes to Ollanatyatmbo at 4.20 pm. If you are interested in upgrading to the Vistadome train, it will be $75 one way and $125 round trip.

- Meals: During the Sacred Valley tour, we will stop for lunch. Dinner will be at a restaurant in Ollantaytambo. Breakfast will be available at your hotel. All three of these meals are included in your tour.

- Huayna Picchu: Huayna Picchu is the mountain that stands next to Machu Picchu. It is a 45 minute hike to the top. Going back down is quite steep, if you are scared of heights. This is done without your tour guide, after your tour of Machu Picchu. The cost is $75 per person. Arrangements need to be made at least one month in advance, due to popularity. Please understand that weather is out of our control

- Day packs: It is suggested to carry snacks, water, a hat, clothing layers, bug spray, etc. at all times, so you will likely have a small bag. We do not provide this and it should not exceed 25L.

- Flights: Flying to Cusco can be tricky. Delays occur often and it is not uncommon for flights to be cancelled. Please be sure to arrive in the city at least two days before your trek start date. LAN Peru is the most reliable of the airlines. Avianca and Peruvian Airlines are acceptable companies, as well. You will not return from your trek until around 8 p.m. on day two, so be sure your flight is not until the next day, when leaving Cusco.

- Gratuities

- Travel Insurance: This is not required, but always recommended.

- Comfortable shoes: Machu Picchu is a large area with a lot of steps
- Sun hat
- Sun cream
- Waterproof/rain jacket or rain poncho
- Water
- Snacks
- Camera

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.