Monday, July 25, 2016

Machu Picchu Full Day Tour

Machu Picchu Full Day Tour

TRAVEL PROGRAM 1 DAY MACHU PICCHU

EVERYDAY 5:00 A.M. TO 10:30 P.M.
Cusco - Ollantaytambo - Machu Picchu village (Aguas Calientes)
MACHU PICCHU Inca City
Machupicchu - Cusco - Ollantaytambo

MACHU PICCHU 1 DAY

Cusco - Machu Picchu - Cusco

5:00 a.m.: Transfer from your hotel to the train station

We will take the touristic train to Aguas Calientes. From there we will take a bus to Machupicchu Inca City.

We´ll have 02 hours with a professional bilingual tour guide, visiting the main temples and plazas in Machu Picchu, and then you´ll have free time to explore Machu Picchu at your own pace.

Optional: You can ascend the sacred mountain of Huayna Picchu. You can also visit the Sun gate and the Inca Bridge.

6:30 p.m. return to Aguas Calientes to take the train back to Cusco

10:30 p.m. Arrival in Cusco

Transfer to Hotel / End of service


INCLUDES

  • Transfers from hotel / train station.
  • Tourist train to Machu Picchu (round trip)
  • Entrance fees to the Inca city.
  • Concetur Bus up to and down from Machu Picchu
  • Entrance fee to Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
  • Professional Bilingual Guide
  • Gourmet Lunch at Machu Picchu
  • First aid kit

NOT INCLUDED

  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Entrance to recreational sites such as clubs, hot springs, theme parks
  • Other items and activities not specified in the program


RECOMMENDED ITEMS TO BRING ON YOUR TOUR

  • Small personal backpack
  • Jacket for the cold
  • Sunscreen and sunglasses
  • Insect repellent
  • Camera or video camera
  • Water and snacks

TYPES OF TRAINS FOR THE TRIP TO MACHU PICCHU

EXPEDITION TRAIN:


Expedition Trail - Train to Machu Picchu
The passengers in the Expedition Train will be comfortable and able to relax while being informed about the important points that this ancient route includes which every traveler should know.

The EXPEDITON has fully covered cars with panoramic windows to allow travelers to feel like they are immersed in the beauty of the natural landscape, making the Machu Picchu experience begin on the train.

VISTADOME SERVICE:


Vistadome Service - Train to Machu Picchu
Completely surrounded by glass, the train cars have large panoramic windows offering unparalleled scenic views and a number of spectacular photo opportunities. The traveler in the VISTADOME will feel part of the impressive landscapes of Peru. Perurail provides personalized attention and first class service to allow the passengers on board to have an unforgettable experience.

The VISTADOME also has air conditioning, heating, and leather seats to provide you with a comfortable experience during the entire trip. The VISTADOME has a service on board which allows travelers to feel immersed in the Andean culture through its landscapes, music, dance and even food, carefully prepared with local ingredients

Monday, July 18, 2016

Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N

Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N


DESCRIPTION

A route through impressive Andean landscape and a plenty diversity of cultures, located on the gorgeous Lares encircled by brilliant snowy peaks and a great variety of hot springs. You will visit highland far away settlements where life keep on much as it was ages ago and local dwellers conserve the Inca customs of their predecessors: authentic clothing and traditional agriculture side by side with llamas and alpacas helping to cultivate the best qualities of corn and potatoes around the world.

From those high, open spaces we go down into the exuberant forests around Machu Picchu, enjoying a great variety of flora, fauna, nature and exciting panorama, our trip finishing with a amazing sunrise and visit to the renowned 'lost city'.

This trek is perfect for those who take a pleasure in search of alternatives taking you through rustic communities in the spectacular Sacred Valley of the Incas.

LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU DAY 1

Cusco - Lares - Pascana - Quishuarani

At 5:00 am our guide picks you all up from your hotels and we drive through the Sacred Valley turning at the town of Calca to head to Lares village – the drive takes around 3 hours. Once we arrive in town we go up to the Hot Springs where we can relax and enjoy these beautiful outdoor hot waters. Lunch is provided here. Our bus awaits us during this time and we then continue our journey for around 20 minutes to the start of the trail known as Pascana.

Here we meet up with our horsemen and pack the horses and llamas. We are ready to start our hike to Quishuarani for around 3 hours. When we get to our campsite everything has already been set up for us. In the free time in our hands we can come across some of the locals and appreciate their weaving techniques.

This is a lovely day filled with great landscapes and the opportunity to visit several Andean villages. Beware as the temperature drops at night so you should be ready with warm outfit.

Meals: Lunch - Tea Time - Dinner

LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU DAY 2

Quishuarani - Cancha Cancha

After a delicious breakfast we leave Quishuarani. This is going to be our longest day on the trail as we continue north east up the valley, passing small thatched stone houses. After ½ hour the path flattens out before climbing steeply for the 2½ hour trek to the highest passage, called Pachacutec Pass (4758m). From here you are rewarded with superb views of Pachacutec Lake and the snowy peaks of Pitusiray.

The path continues for an hour along a narrow ridge until dropping down into a beautiful secluded corrie filled with glacial lakes. We have lunch in that beautiful place. We then keep on following the lip of the corrie descending into the next valley, and we pass by a series of cascading waterfalls until we reach the village of Cancha Cancha. We camp here for the night.

Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Tea Time - Dinner.

LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU DAY 3

Cancha Cancha - Huaran - Ollantaytambo - Machu Picchu

After a delicious breakfast we start our easier hike of the day following the small Cancha Cancha River. It's a 4 hour trek to our destination, the small village named Huaran. From here we take a local transport to the town of Ollantaytambo, a beautifully well preserved Andean town you have some time to explore before boarding on the 3:00 pm train to Aguas Calientes. We spend the night in a nice hotel in Machu Picchu Pueblo.

Optional: you can give an early night visit to the Aguas Calientes' Hot Springs where the entrance fee is US $4.

Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Tea Time - Dinner.

LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU DAY 4

Full day at Machu Picchu

We have breakfast and then take the 6:00 am bus up to Machu Picchu to enjoy the beautiful sunrise. A walking tour of approximately 2 hours is then given by your tour guide, after which you can explore the mysterious city all by yourselves.

If you got your Waynapicchu entrance ticket (entry limited to 400 people daily for an additional cost of US $ 15.00 so you should better get it when you book your tour) you can also climb the neighboring mountain Huayna Picchu (2720m/8890ft). Keep in mind that it takes about 45 minutes to reach the top so you might seriously reduce your time on the prestigious site.

Once you are filled with those mystical vibes, we take the bus back to Aguas Calientes to get on the Expedition train back to Ollantaytambo followed by a bus to Cusco. We are in Cusco at around 10:30 pm.

Meals: Breakfast.

NOTE FOR THE LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU 4D/3N

The itinerary and campsites are subject to change depending on the time of booking. It can also vary depending on the climate or the health status of the trekkers. The train (to and from Ollantaytambo) included in every tour is the Expedition Service. Train times will only be confirmed near the time of the trek; thus if you join a group later we cannot guarantee you will be travelling on the same trains as the rest of the group. Train times are also subject to change depending on the train company timetables or availability.


Saturday, July 9, 2016

Attractions along the Inca Trail

Attractions along the Inca Trail


There are many ruins, great vantage points, and beautiful landscapes along the Classic Inca Trail. The following are a view attractions along the way, many being ruins left behind by the Incas.

Ollantaytambo: Ollantaytambo is a small town close to Cusco and an archealogogical site left behind by the Incas. During the time of the Inca Empire, Ollantaytambo was a royal estate and when the Spanish were on their conquest of what is now Peru, it was a stronghold of the Inca resistance. There is a train station where you can get on to go to Aguas Calientes and from there to Machu Picchu.

Canabamba: was a small administrative control point left behind by the Incas.

Patallaqta/Patallacta: misidentified as Llaqtapata, means High Place and was a small Inca town and now one of the popular Inca ruins along the Inca Trail.

Willka Raqay: is an Inca ruin above Patallacta which was used as a control point.

Wayllabamba: was also a 'llacta' or administrative center by the Incas as well as being a small town with the same name in the area.

Yuncachimpa: Yuncachimpa is a small rest area with bathrooms and a place where you can buy supplies along the Inca Trail.

Llulluchapampa: Llulluchapampa is the last place along the Inca Trail where you can buy supplies until you reach Machu Picchu.

Dead Woman's Pass: Dead Woman's Pass, also known as Warmiwañusqa, is called so because the mountain looks like the profile of a woman looking up at the sky.

Pakaymayu: Pakaymayu is one of the camps along the Inca Trail at 3500 meters and this is also the name of the Pakaymayu Valley.

Runkuraqay: Runkuraqay is an archeological ruin believed to be an administrative point left behind by the Incas.

Runkuraqhay Pass: Runkuraqhay Pass, named for the mountain and ruins of the same name. From this height you will be able to see the valley you just left and the one in front of you along the Inca Trail. This is a great viewpoint and place to take pictures. It's northeast of the Sayacmarka ruins.

Sayacmarka: Sayacmarka is an Inca ruin that is believed to be a village as well as a sacred area, dedicated to the mountains. Sayacmarka means 'place you can't enter/inaccessible.

Chakiccocha: Chakiccocha means 'dry lake' and is one of the campsites along the Inca Trail.

Phuyupatamarka: Phuyupatamarka is a view point and an archeological center. It is believed to be a Llacta or administrative center for the Incas.

Inti Pata: Inti Pata was believed to be used as an agricultural center by the Incas.

Wiñayhuayna: Wiñayhuayna means 'forever young' and is considered to be a sacred place along the Inca Trail before coming to Machu Picchu.

Intipunku: Intipunku is also called the 'Sun Gate' and leads to Machu Picchu. This is a great vantage point where you'll get your first view of Machu Picchu. It was used by the Incas during their ceremonies for the summer solstice in December.

Chachabamba: Chachabamba is an archeological site left behind by the Incas believed to be dedicated to water.

Choquesuysuy: Choquesuysuy is an Inca archaeological site thought to be dedicated to agriculture.



Monday, July 4, 2016

INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU 3 DAYS

Short Inca trail + Huaynapicchu


DESCRIPTION

Hiking the Inca Trail is a unique experience that you have to try once in your life: intense and fabulous trekking through a range of spectacular Inca ruins while contemplating some of the most marvelous sceneries on the way.

Extraordinary landscapes, walking the Inca Trail through different ecological systems, amazing variety of flora and fauna, the adventures awaiting for you along the 3 day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu present original cobble stones and allow you to visit the most important Inca complex on the way, Wiñayhuayna also known as "Forever Young". And you finish your trek at the impressive Inca citadel of Macchu Picchu so needless to say that this is an experience you are not to forget anytime soon.

Like every Inca Trail Expeditions Tour, this adventure has been designed by travelling specialists so you can completely rely on us for everything and be sure every dime of yours is wisely spent.

MACHU PICCHU HIKING TOUR DAY 1
CUSCO - CHACHABAMBA - WIÑAYWAYNA - MACHU PICCHU

We pick you up by bus from your hotel at 5:40am (depending on the train time) and take you to the train station. We travel by train on a very picturesque route for 2 and a half hours until we reach the kilometer 104 – Chachabamba, where we begin our exciting adventure: Hiking the Inca Trail . From here, we have a walk of approximately 4 hours up to the Inca site Wiñay Wayna ('Forever Young') (2680m/8792ft).

We then continue on to Inti Punku ('Sun gate') (2730m/8957ft) from where you have your first view over the Majestic Machu Picchu (2400m/7873ft). We walk down the last part of the trail towards the ancient city itself. Before reaching Machu Picchu, we have a short rest and then descend to Aguas Calientes or Machupicchu Pueblo using the tourist bus. We arrive at around 4:30pm, and transfer to our hotel where we overnight.

Meals: Lunch - Tea Time - Dinner.

MACHU PICCHU HIKING TOUR DAY 2
Excursion at Machu Picchu

We have breakfast and then take the bus at 8:00 am up to Machu Picchu. A walking tour (of approximately 2 hours) is given by your guide, after which you can explore the mysterious city all by yourselves. If you have energy you can also climb Huayna Picchu (2720m/8890ft), as it takes about 45 minutes to reach the top.

Optional: you can give an early night visit to the Aguas Calientes' Hot Springs where the entrance fee is US $4.

Meals: Breakfast

MACHU PICCHU HIKING TOUR DAY 3
Machu Picchu to Cusco

After breakfast we take the train back to Ollantaytambo followed by a bus to Cusco.

We are in Cusco at around noon.

Meals: Breakfast

NOTE

The itinerary and campsites provided by the INC (Institution that runs the Inca Trail) are subject to change depending on the time of booking. It can also vary depending on the climate or the health status of the trekkers. The train (to and from Ollantaytambo) included in every tour is the Expedition Service. Train times will only be confirmed near the time of the trek; thus if you join a group later we cannot guarantee you will be travelling on the same trains as the rest of the group. Train times are also subject to change depending on the train company timetables or availability.