DAY 1 OLLANTAYTAMBO / MACHU
PICCHU: At
agreed time, you will board the train to Aguas Calientes from
the train station of Ollantaytambo to visit one of the Seven
Wonders of the World. After a journey of one hour and a half travelling on
the train, we will arrive at the train station of Aguas Calientes, where our
staff will be waiting for you to take you to the hotel. Later, you will have a
short briefing about the tour to Machu Picchu in your hotel
for the next day.
Machu Picchu is located in the province of Urubamba at
the Sacred Valley of the Incas and is part of an intangible
zone of the National System of Protected Areas of the State. The Machu
Picchu altitude is 2,438 M.A.S.L., and the weather is warm and humid
during the day and cool during the night.
This magic place has forests with native trees such as
cedar, and has more than 400 species of Orchids, and other flowers
as begonias. Amazing wildlife like The Gallito de las Rocas, the
national bird of Peru, lives in this area.
Machu Picchu town is a very small village and
you can walk around to explore it. If you are thinking to pursuit local art
craft or textiles you can find a lovely market. Also you can visit the hot
springs (optional), a perfect place to enjoy a well-deserved rest.
Hotel in Aguas Calientes is not included.
DAY 2 MACHU PICCHU / CUSCO: This is a special day; you
can explore Machu Picchu with the sunrise. You will board the bus to go up for
30 minutes taking the winding road to Machu Picchu, amid a
spectacular view of the Urubamba River and its canyon. Machu
Picchu, which means “Old Mountain”, will astonish us with its terraces,
ceremonial shrines, steps and urban areas. Energy is all around us.
This archaeological site was divided
in two areas. The first area was dedicated to the agriculture, so you will see
huge terraces and platforms around. The second area was the urban spot where
the most important religious activities were developed. The Inca Empire emerged
from the Peruvian highlands in the early thirteenth century, and culminates
with the death of Inca Atahualpa in 1533.
The Citadel of Machu Picchu was built in 1450 A.D. under the
dominion of Inca Pachacutec, and it was an important urban and
religious center for the Incan Empire, the biggest
civilization during pre-Columbian era. The population was dedicated to agriculture,
and they have built platforms to growing their own food.
One of the best ways to discover the lifestyle of the Inca
ancestors is making the Inca Trail trek. The Inca trail to Machu Picchu is
one of the favorite outdoor activities for travelers to do in Cusco.
After a tour guide of 2 hours and a half, you will have time
enough to explore Machu Picchu on your own or if you want, you can climb
the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountains (optional).
Another option is to take the bus to go back to Aguas
Calientes to enjoy lunch (optional). The town has good restaurants with tasty
Peruvian food.
At the agreed time, you will take the train back to
Ollantaytambo to then take the tourist bus to Cusco and drop you off
at your hotel located in the historical center of Cusco.