Tours in Cusco

Tour description

The Machu Picchu By Car Tour is a car trip to Hidroeléctrica and then a 3-hour hike to Aguas Calientes to later visit this Inca Citadel.

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Hydro Electric Plant – Aguas Calientes

You will be picked up from your hotel at about 6.30 a.m. We shall head towards the town of Ollantaytambo – which is a journey through impressive Andean landscapes. We shall stop in Ollantaytambo for about 30 minutes so that you can make purchases and stretch your legs. We shall then continue our journey up a long winding ascent to the Malaga Pass, which is situated at 4,316 meters above sea level. From the Pass we can marvel at the views both of the surrounding mountain peaks and the jungle below.

We shall make a short stop at the Pass to give you the opportunity to take photos and to take in the views. After that we shall begin our descent towards the jungle (still located in the Region of Cusco). On the way we shall cross several distinct altitudinal zones all the way from the snow-capped peaks down to the onset of the hot and humid high jungle plains. We will continue to drive along the paved road as far as Santa Maria and from there will take a (currently) dirt road towards the town of Santa Teresa and beyond to a hydro-electric plant. We expect to arrive here at about 1 p.m. We shall have lunch here before initiating our walk.

We shall walk from the train station at the hydro-electric plant towards the town of Aguas Calientes. This is an attractive route along a path beside the railway line along the banks of the Urubamba river. We should be at our destination around 5.45 p.m. Upon arrival you will be shown to your accommodation for the night. You will have the rest of the evening free to explore the town, to visit the hot thermal baths or to rest.

Day 2: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Hydro-electric Plant – Cusco

Breakfast will be available from 5 a.m. You have the choice of either taking the bus up to Machu Picchu or walking. The guided tour will start at 6 a.m. and will last for a minimum of two hours. You will then have some free time to enjoy the amazing surroundings. You can either walk back to the hydro-electric plant or catch a train which leaves at 1.30 p.m. (for an additional cost). We shall travel back to Cusco by minivan using the same route as the previous day. We should be back in the center of Cusco around 9 p.m. to conclude the tour.

Includes

• Pick up from your hotel in Cusco
• Tourist transport from Cusco to the Hydro-electric plant and back
• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
• A 2-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu
• A professional English and Spanish speaking guide
• 1 night at a hotel in Agua Calientes
• 1 lunch (day 1), 1 dinner (day 1), 1 breakfast (day 2)
• Vegetarians and others with special diet needs must specify this is advance

Not Included

• Food and drinks not mentioned in the program
• Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and back (both optional)
• Cost of entering Huayna Picchu or the Machu Picchu mountain (additional cost of US$25 – optional)
• Travel Insurance
• Additional activities and tips (optional)
• Entrance to the thermal baths (cost 10 soles)