day 1
Welcome to Cusco, City
- Meals: Not applicable
- Maximum altitude: –
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Minimum altitude: 3,350m/10,991ft
- Duration: 1Hrs (13:00-18:30)
- Hotel: Not applicable
Upon your arrival, we will pick you up from Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport and transfer you to your hotel in the city of Cusco. You will have the rest of the day free to rest, acclimatize, and explore the city before we meet to provide you with instructions and details about your trip.
day 2
Sacred Valley Tour
- Meals: Breakfast – Lunch
- Maximum altitude: 3,350m/10,991ft
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Minimum altitude: 2,792m/9,160ft
- Duration: 8Hrs (08:00-16:00)
- Hotel: Ollantaytambo
At the agreed time, we will pick you up from your hotel to start the Sacred Valley tour. We will pass through the Saqsayhuaman Archaeological Park and continue until we reach the Taray viewpoint, a beautiful space where you can appreciate Inca terraces and vast cultivated lands surrounded by the “Wilkamuayu,” the sacred river of the Incas. We will then proceed to the famous Pisac artisan market, known worldwide for its silver jewelry. We will also visit the Pisac archaeological site, where we will discover distinct neighborhoods, impressive two-level constructions, and one of the most stunning cemeteries in the region. After the visit, we will return to the vehicle, which will take us to Urubamba, where we will enjoy a delicious lunch.
After lunch, we will continue the journey to the last living Inca village, Ollantaytambo, where we can explore impressive terraces and staircases leading to the ritual area. Here, we will find megalithic structures that showcase impressive precision in cutting and some reliefs. In front of the archaeological park, you will also discover the Qolcas or storehouses. You will also learn about the love story between General Ollantay and Cusi Qoyllor. At the end of the tour, the guide will provide you with instructions, and we will drop you off at your hotel in Ollantaytambo, where you can rest and relax for your next adventure.
day 3
Ollantaytambo – Km. 104 – Wiñayhuayna – Aguas Calientes
- Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
- Maximum altitude: 2,792m/9,160ft
- Difficulty level: Moderate III
- Minimum altitude: 2,040m/6,693ft
- Duration: 12Hrs (06:00-17:00)
- Hotel: Aguas Calientes
Early in the morning, after you have enjoyed your breakfast, we will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the Ollantaytambo train station. Here, you will board the train that will take you to Km 104 “Chachabamba,” where, after receiving instructions and going through the INRENA control center, you will begin your adventure on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
You will start the hike and enter the Chachabamba archaeological complex along with your guide, where you will receive a detailed explanation of this important site. You will then continue on a walk that will immerse you in the high jungle. Along the route, you will have the opportunity to observe various species of orchids, including one known as Wiñayhuayna or “Forever Young,” which is also the name of the next archaeological complex situated on a steep slope of the Urubamba River valley. This Inca archaeological group is located on the way to the Sun Gate and is believed to have been the ancient residence of the priests of Machu Picchu.
You will continue the hike until you reach the “Inti Punku” or Sun Gate, where you can enjoy the first breathtaking view of the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary in all its splendor. From this point, you will begin your descent to the citadel of Machu Picchu, where you can marvel at a beautiful sunset and take stunning photographs.
After enjoying the views, you will board a bus with your guide to the town of Aguas Calientes, where your hotel is located. Here, you can settle in, rest, have dinner, and receive further explanations from your guide regarding the activities for the next day.
day 4
Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco & Airport Transfer
- Meals: Breakfast
- Maximum altitude: 3,350m/10,991ft
- Difficulty level: Moderate III
- Minimum altitude: 2,040m/6,562ft
- Duration: 12Hrs (05:30-17:300)
- Hotel: Not applicable
At the agreed time, we will meet and head towards the bus station, where you will board the vehicle that will take you to the entrance gate of the Machu Picchu citadel. Your guide will provide some recommendations, and then you will pass through the access control to the Inca citadel, immediately beginning the guided tour lasting 2 to 2.5 hours. During this time, you will discover the history of Machu Picchu, visit different temples, plazas, and the Machu Picchu quarry. If you’re lucky, you may also spot orchids and species like the vizcacha or Andean rabbit. After some time for photography and capturing the experience, the visit will conclude, and we will guide you back to the bus station, where you will board the vehicle that will take you back to the town of Aguas Calientes. There, you can enjoy lunch (not included) and explore the town before heading to the train station, where you will board the train back to Ollantaytambo. At the Ollantaytambo station, a representative from our company will be waiting for you and will guide you to the bus that will bring you back to the city of Cusco.
Upon arrival in Cusco, you will have the opportunity for some last-minute shopping. We will then pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport, where you will board your return flight home.
WHAT INCLUDED?
- Transfers: Airport – Hotel – Airport / Hotel – Train Station – Hotel
- 1 night of accommodation in Cusco
- 1 night of accommodation in Ollantaytambo
- 1 night of accommodation in Aguas Calientes
- 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 1 dinner
- Snack for the hike (1st day of the Inca Trail)
- Tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas
- Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
- Visit to Machu Picchu
- All entrance tickets (Sacred Valley, Inca Trail & Machu Picchu)
- Tourist transportation to/from the Inca citadel (first day)
- Professional guides
- Continuous assistance
NOT INCLUDED
- Domestic flights (subject to an additional fee as mentioned)
- Tourist transportation for the descent on the second day
- Tips for the staff
- Additional costs or delays beyond our control
- Unspecified meals (lunch & dinner on the second day)
- Other items not mentioned
ADDITIONAL:
- If you want to visit Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu, you will need to add USD 75.00.
- If you prefer the Vistadome train service, you will need to add USD 60.00 per person.
- If you are traveling alone, please let us know so we can send you the supplement for the single room.
If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, feel free to ask.
F.A.Qs
¿HOW MAKE A RESERVATION?
- To make a reservation, we request that you have a valid passport or a passport with an expiration date of more than 6 months. This is to ensure that you have no issues entering Peru since our immigration office is strict.
- To check availability for spaces in Machu Picchu and choose your desired hotel, please contact one of our Travel Advisors via WhatsApp at +51 941411418 or send us an email at [email protected]
- Once the passport validity and space availability are confirmed, you can proceed to reserve the travel package by making a 50% deposit using our different payment methods.
- For bank deposits, please consider that transaction fees are assumed by our clients. In other words, the deposited amount should cover the fees.
- For credit card payments, please add 5% of the total payment amount as this fee is charged by our providers.
- For PayPal payments, please add 7% of the total payment amount as this fee is charged by PayPal.
WHAT ARE THE SCHEDULED DEPARTURE DATES?
Sakura Expedition offers departures throughout the year.
WHAT TO BRING FOR THE HIKE:
- Personal documents (Identification Document (Passport, ID Card) and TAM (Andean Migration Card)
- Hiking boots
- Hiking clothing
- Travel backpack to carry:
- Camelback or refillable water bottle
- Extra set of clothes
- 2 sets of underwear, including hiking socks
- Rain poncho and/or waterproof jacket
- Hat and sunglasses
- Sunscreen and insect repellent
- Swimwear (optional if you want to visit the hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
- Personal first aid kit, including any necessary medication
- Camera
- Flashlight with spare batteries
- Extra money for souvenirs and other additional expenses.
HOW LONG IS THE TRIP?
The trip duration is 4 days and 3 nights. We recommend arriving in the city before 10:00 AM and departing from your city of origin after 06:00 PM.
WHAT TYPE OF SERVICE WILL I RECEIVE?
We provide “Group Service,” allowing you to enjoy the trip with a group of no more than 15 members. This limit enables a better experience of the attractions and explanations provided by our guides.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO TAKE THE TRIP?
Cusco offers the possibility of enjoying the trip throughout the year. However, the best months are from April to October since you can enjoy sunnier days.