Visit Machu Picchu by Car (2 Days / 1 Night)

0am We will drive for around 5.1/2 hours, crossing Chinchero, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Santa Maria, Santa Teresa and ending up at Hydroelectric Power Station Through the windows of the minivan you can clearly see the white, snowcapped mountains trough out the Sacred Valley of the Inkas, the low vegetation extensive hills, red clay hills and authentic villages and communities of Quechua region. We will continue by spectacular scenery of high peaks and low valleys in a colorful and contrasting panorama filling every direction you turn your eyes! After the first one and half hour of driving, we will stop quickly in Ollantaytambo to take advantage of the toilet facilities, any shop, and an optional, short breakfast. We will then continue to the path towards the top of the mountains. After leaving the valley of Ollantaytambo to get a peak of snowy landscapes with almost no vegetation and fog around. On the way the Abra Malaga at 4320 m above sea level will be passed by, this area is often covered in a thick clouds, snow or rain. Right after passing Abra Malaga we start with a winding road downhill driving to Santa Maria and later to Santa Teresa to finally reach Hydroelectric power station around 13:00Hrs approx. where you will get your lunch for about 01 hour. Hydroelctric – Aguas Calientes was the same trail used by the North American professor Hiram Bingham who rediscovered Machu Picchu after centuries of it being lost to the outside world! from this place we start a hike of 2 and ½ hours – 11km mostly flat walk beside the rail way and beside the beautiful Vilcanota river to arrive in Aguas Calientes, the town next to Machupicchu, from Hydroelectric also you have the option to take a train to arrive in Aguas Calientes in 25 minutes, this train has an extra cost of US$ 33.00 each way (98% of people go walking); You will spend the night there and you will have the rest of the day to chill out in the town or in the hot springs (not included) before visiting the Inca wonder. Aguas Calientes town exist because of Machupicchu, a small village with no taxis, moto taxis or colectivos around, people move all around by foot, except the bus service that goes to Machupicchu which is from one point to another and that’s all. The town counts with all facilities that may need a tourist: Restaurants, internet café, massage centers, public phones, cash machines, money exchange offices, etc,etc. Once you arrive from Hydroelectric; go straight up to your hostel in Aguas Calientes, which will be easy to locate since you have your voucher hostel, name and hostel map on your hand already from Cusco. Later 19:00 – 19:30Hrs in the same hostel reception area our professional tour guide will meet you to have a briefing about the next day where you get last details about your Machupicchu visiting. Same tour guide after your briefing will show you the restaurant where you will have your dinner which is included in the program, afterwards have a good night in Aguas Calientes.

ng we will start our day to the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. Hiking up to Machupicchu takes 1.30 hours at a regular pace. Start walking at 4:00 am in the morning from Aguas Calientes to the first checkpoint located right at the base of Machu Picchu which opens at 5:00. This control point is only for hikers where tourist must show entrance fees to the citadel and original passports, right after you start with the upstairs to Machu Picchu which takes 45-minutes approx., making almost 1,700 Inca steps. The purpose of this plan to Machu Picchu is to beat the buses to be one of the first groups into Machupicchu. Once at the main checkpoint, once everybody is up, it’s time for the guided Machu Picchu tour with our professional guide. The tour through the temples, houses, agricultural terraces, patios and every corner of Machu Picchu will leave you speechless. Don’t be afraid ask questions to your guide, feel free, our team is here for you to complete your journey! After the guided tour you will have your own free time to keep exploring the place, take more amazing pictures or just enjoy the mystic and calmness of Machu Picchu. FOUR OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: Right after finishing your guided tour, lace up your shoes and compliment your exploration of the UNESCO Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu with a hiking adventure. There are four trails to choose among, each option ranging in difficulty and gift new perspectives of the tropical region surrounding the archaeological site. The easiest amazing INCA BRIDGE situated on the left-south of the park – constructed of a few narrow logs perched above a sheer vertical drop – is believed to have served as a secret entrance to Machu Picchu. The entire trail is built into a cliffs on the western approach to Machupicchu, snaking impressively along the side of a sheer mountainside. Most of the narrow path is in a state of disrepair and is not accessible. But the last part, which leads into Machupicchu, has been restored, along with the so-called Inka Bridge a 20-foot gap in the trail spanned by four or five planks of wood. It takes 40-45 minutes roundtrip. THE SUN GATE main entrance from the inca trail, it takes 2.5 hours round trip. Beginning near the Caretaker’s Hut (or Guardhouse), wooden signs for “Inti Punku” point you in the direction of the hike’s cobbled trail with a few sections of stairs that inclines gradually up the mountain away from the main citadel. It takes most people walking at a steady pace between 40 to 60 minutes to reach the top, figuring in time to rest and take photos. The surrounding mountains and beautiful valleys should be all the encouragement you need to reach the summit. Once upon a time, imperial guards of the Inca Empire likely controlled passage into Machu Picchu at the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). Hiking up to the Sun Gate or the Inca Bridge are FREE & more relaxed options. Since you don’t need a special entry ticket to do either hike – just your general Machu Picchu admission – these options allow you the flexibility to decide at the moment if you want to do them or not right after your guided group tour. HUAYNA PICCHU is the dome-shaped peak that forms the iconic background seen ubiquitously in Machu Picchu photographs, and the Inca footpath winding up to its summit is the most sought after hike within the citadel. It takes 02 hours roundtrip approx. MONTAÑA MACHUPICCHU When it comes to hiking options within the famous Inca archaeological site, Machu Picchu Mountain typically plays second fiddle to Huayna Picchu, but this towering peak offers perks that should not be overlooked. “At the top of Machu Picchu Mountain you look down on Huayna Picchu and when it’s clear you can even see snow-capped mountains in the distance,” some expert guides said “There’s a much better panoramic view at the top of Machu Picchu Mountain and it takes just a little difference in time.” It takes 02 hours and 1/2 approx. roundtrip. Tickets for Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain are limited and demand is high, especially during peak season from April to October when it’s less likely to rain. Advanced planning is a must during these months to reserve your spot for one of these hikes. Tickets for both Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain can sell out up to 3 months in advance. Special entry ticket required: To do Montaña Machupicchu or Huaynapicchu we must obtain a general entry + Huaynapicchu or Montaña Machupicchu ticket for Machupicchu main citadel really in advance. At the time of purchase, we select between two time slots during which you are permitted to begin the hike, of course, all this according to the time and space availability. Okay, now – After been in a 02 hours morning guided tour + 03-04 hours exploring by your own this amazing place, make sure you are leaving Machupicchu as latest at noon – 12:00 in order to be at Hydroelectric power station at 3:00pm. The return to Cusco will start at Machupicchu main control point, walking down to Puente Ruinas and from there, walk back to Hydroelectric following the train rail way as same as you did the first day to Aguas calientes Town. Our bus departure from Hydroelectric to Cusco will be at 3:30pm – arriving to the city around 9:00 – 10:00pm approx. IMPORTANT!!! No one wants breakfast before 4:00am, before leaving the hostel at reception area you’ll get your box breakfast where you decide either eating before passing the main check point or after guiding time and start exploring Machupicchu by your own. BUS UP OPTION: (Not necessary) If you would like to go up to Machupicchu by bus you must buy a bus ticket in Aguas Calientes a night before. Early in the morning around 4:30 am we go to the bus stations to line up to catch one of the first buses to the Sanctuary. The buses start leaving at 5:30 am from Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu, 25 minutes bus ride to the main entrance. Then we go into Machupicchu together with the rest of the group after 6:00am. (USD 12.00 one way – USD 24.00 round trip – not included) AS LAST!!! If you are not in shape, but, really would like to do the extra hiking options in Machu Picchu like climbing either Machu Picchu montaña or Huayna Picchu mountain, etc. is better to spend an extra night in Aguas Calientes and return to Cusco on the third day, so you do your Machupicchu main citadel + your extra activities slowly on your own path without rush. In case that’s your situation…see more options at inclusions section.