MACHUPICCHU FULL DAY TOUR
DESCRIPTION:
Named one of the New 7 wonders of the world, considered one of the most important energy centers in the world. World-renowned tourist destination, Inca ancient construction of Machu Picchu awaits to captivate you with its splendor! “The lost city of the Incas,” known as Machu Picchu”, and today is a global icon.
DAY 1: CUSCO – OLLANTAYTAMBO TRAIN STATION – AGUAS CALLIENTES TOWN – MACHUPICCHU – BACK TO CUSCO
The expedition begins at 4:00 a.m. picking you up from your hotel in Cusco, then by 2 hours of driving we will get to Ollantaytambo Inca town. Afterwards by train during 1 hour and 45 minutes of ride to Aguas Calientes village.
- Traveled Distance: 60 Km. / 37 miles (by car).
- Traveled distance: 45 km. / 28 miles (by train).
- Lowest Altitude: 2000 m. /6561 Ft.
- Highest Altitude: 2400 m. /7873 Ft.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Dreams come true enjoy one of the New Seven Wonders of the world.
- Guided tour around the most important places of this enigmatic place.
- Classic pictures of machu Picchu from the guard house.
ONE DAY BEFORE THE TREK:
Briefing/ Machupicchullamaperu Cusco office.
It will be in our office which is located at Street Wasahuara A – 4
All travelers are required to visit the Cuzco office for a mandatory briefing on your trek one day prior to departure at 6:00 pm. At this meeting you will receive detailed information on the route, a list of what to bring, confirm your pick-up for the morning of the trek and be able to ask questions. However, if you wish to receive all the information in your hotel, let us know and our guide will kindly approach your hotel for the informative meeting.
DAY 1: CUSCO – OLLANTAYTAMBO TRAIN STATION – AGUAS CALLIENTES TOWN – MACHUPICCHU – BACK TO CUSCO
The expedition begins at 4:00 a.m. picking you up from your hotel in Cusco, then by 2 hours of driving we will get to Ollantaytambo Inca town, from where we will board a train of one of the two companies operating in Peru – Peru Rail or Inca Rail, during 1 hour and 45 minutes of ride to Aguas Calientes village. During the journey we can see the stunning scenery with picturesque villages. Slowly we will travel through the interesting landscape as we admire the rich vegetation of the tropical area.
Arriving at Aguas Calientes your guide waits for you outside of the train station with your names displayed. Then we will go to the bus station. There we will take the shuttle that will transport us for 30 minutes up mountain to the citadel of Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas, undoubtedly one of the most amazing urban creations of the Incan heyday.
We visit and explore all the Incan places that are part of this wonder. The walking tour takes around 2 hours, giving sufficient time to understand why the Incas decided to build Machu Picchu at this majestic location.
After the tour, you are free to climb up to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (Be sure to book in advance to get tickets for these!). Each mountain takes approximately 3 hours to hike up and down.
Then you will descend to the town of Aguas Calientes by bus, where you can have lunch at one of the various restaurants in Aguas Calientes or at Sanctuary Lodge (lunch is on you).
In the afternoon you board the train back to Cusco. Please note that you need to be at the train station at least 30 minutes before the departure time of your train service. During the train service, the waiters provide some aperitifs on board and drinks such as Coca tea, Muña, or other drinks, etc. When you will get to Ollantaytambo station, a transfer service will be waiting for you, to take you to Cusco city, end of the tour.
- Walking Hours: 2 hours (inside Machu Picchu guided tour).
- Low Altitude: 2000 m. /6561 Ft.
- High Altitude: 2400 m. /7873 Ft.
- Trekking: 1.5 kilometers / 2 hours.
- DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Easy
WHAT IS INCLUDED
- Transfer from the airport to your hotel for free (courtesy service only in Cusco).
- Pick up at your hotel in the morning of the trek departure
- English and Quechua speaking, experienced professional guide.
- Entry fee to Machupicchu.
- Round trip train ticket from Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – back to Ollantaytambo.
- Round trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu Inca site – back to Aguas Calientes town.
- Private Tourist transportation from your hotel and back, (minivan for 5 people, van for 12 people or bus for 20 people).
- Water.
- Tax.
- T-shirt.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
- Sun block: Factor 70 or more.
- Meals.
- Drinks such as: beer, some alcohols, PowerAde, etc.
- Excess baggage charges.
- Phone calls.
- Favorite snacks.
- Huayna Picchu Mountain – US$75 per person (Please request when you book your Trek).
- Machu Picchu Mountain – US$70 per person (Please request when you book your Trek).
- Tips for the guide.
Tips for the staff (Machupicchullamaperu staff receives a fair and decent payment immediately after they end their trip.), Please remember that tipping is 100% optional and depends entirely on the service you received. It is customary to give tips in Latin America; however, it is NOT mandatory. If you do wish to give a tip, these are our recommended guidelines.
- Guide: 50 - 100 soles per trekker
NOTE:
Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu are the mountains that stands in the North and South side of Machu Picchu Inca site. It is 3 hours’ round trip hike. Going back down is quite steep, if you are scared of heights you must think twice. This is done without your tour guide, after your tour of Machu Picchu. Arrangements need to be made at least one month in advance, due to popularity. Please understand that weather is out of our control.
PRICE: US$400 per person.
DISCOUNTS:
- 18 to 25 years old: US$30 Information required on student card: name of university, photo of student, expiration date etc. A copy of the card at booking is required & government approval for discount.
- Under 18 years old: US$30 Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking
- Under 11 years old: US$40 Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
- Members of the South American Explorers: Receive USD10.00 discount.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
“Please read carefully the following information; it will help you answer all of your questions about our services to Machu Picchu”.
ABOUT THE BRIEFING:
All travelers are required to visit the Cuzco office for a mandatory briefing on your trek one day prior to departure at 6:00 pm. At this meeting you will receive detailed information on the route, a list of what to bring, confirm your pick-up for the morning of the trek and be able to ask questions. However, if you wish to receive all the information in your hotel, let us know and our guide will kindly approach your hotel for the informative meeting.
It will be in our office which is located at Street Wasahuara A – 4
WHERE CAN I LEAVE MY LUGGAGE SAFETY?
Of course! During “Machupicchu full day Tour”, your large luggage can be store at our office or at your hotel, both are for free. Please do not pack anything you will need for your tour.
HOW TO BOOK MACHU PICCHU SERVICE?
FIRST, to book your “Machupicchu full day Tour”, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK HERE.
To book your “Machu Picchu full day Tour”, we need the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot purchase Machupicchu permit without the following information:
- Personal information (your full name, exactly as on your passport):
- Gender
- Passport number
- D.OB. (dd / mm / yyyy)
- Nationality
- Arrivall date
- Return date
- Upload Passport Picture
SECOND, we require a deposit of US$300.00 per person in order to purchase a permit for “Machu Picchu”. You can make you deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our booking page or click here on the payment of your choice, either VISA or PAYPAL.
WHAT ABOUT THE PAYMENT BALANCE?
It would be greatly appreciated if you pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. We have many cash machines in the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by VISA or PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 6% service charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account using our email address of machupicchullamaperu@gmail.com
WHO QUALIFY FOR THE STUDENT DISCOUNT?
Those passengers who booked their trip using the discounted price for ISIC Student Holders must bring their original and valid CIIU card (not a copy and not expired). This document must be shown at Machupicchu Control Gate. Unfortunately, if you do not bring your card, you will be denied entry to the Trail as the permits won’t be valid without your card.
SCHOOL STUDENT
With the passport or national ID – original ones, from 8 to 17 years’ old
- According to Peruvian Law you must be under 18 years of age at the time of your trek, tour, or visit to Machu Picchu for example if you book a trek at the age of 17 but you turn 18 before you do your trek, you do not qualify for a student discount.
- All students from 11 to 17 years, the discount is $30.
- For children from the age of 2 to 11 the discount is $40.
- All students must provide a copy of their passport at the time of their booking to get the student discount.
UNIVERSITY STUDENT ABOVE 18 YEARS OLD
With the original student ID gives from the university in PVC material and it must have the next requirements: university information, personal student information, student picture, and expiration date valid only for one year, it year must coincide with the year that student visit Machu Picchu, the discount until 25 years old.
- Discount $30
IS IT POSSIBLE TO CHANGE THE DATE?
Unfortunately, the answer is “No”. Once the tickets have been bought for the “Machu Picchu”. The government does not allow any changes, due to the strict regulations of the Archaeological Park of Machu Picchu, once your reservation is made, you cannot cancel the reserved space that you have.
*** If you cancel your “ Machu Picchu Tour”. The deposit is not refundable at all!
IS IT NECESRY MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT ON MACHU PICCHUFULL DAY TOUR?
Yes, for sure! You have to bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport number you sent to us to book “ Machu Picchu” permit. The rangers will check when you enter to Machu Picchu. The train company will also check your passport before allowing you to board the train. In case you are renewing your passport, go ahead and send us your old number to secure your permit, and we can change it when you get your new passport number…if so, please send the new passport number as soon as possible.
HOW CAN I AVOID THE ALTITUDE SICKNESS?
For those trekkers that come to Cusco directly from places at sea level; we recommend arriving 2-3 days before your trek. Two of the most common health issues among tourists in Cusco are: The Altitude Sickness (Soroche) and stomach pain provoked by slow digestion.
In general, if you have regular exercise and spend a couple of days in Cusco, or in the Sacred Valley for acclimatization to the altitude, you may be fine.
The recommended medicine for altitude sickness is WATER, COCA TEA and OXYGEN IF NEEDED; our guides are trained to treat you for Altitude Sickness.
We offer the Cusco City Tour or Sacred Valley Tour that you can book while you are acclimatizing. Check out our Day Tours on our Home Page.
WILL THE CAR IS GOING TO DROPP OFF US AT THE HOTEL?
Absolutely! Included in our packages is dropping you off at your hotel on the return from your trek or tour. If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will drop you there too!
If you spend the night at Ollantaytambo before the trek, we will pick you up there too.
WHAT ABOUT TIPPING?
Tips for the staff (machupicchullamaperu staff receives a fair and decent payment immediately after they end their trip.
**** (Please remember that tipping is 100% optional and depends entirely on the service you received. It is customary to give tips in Latin America; however, it is NOT mandatory. If you do wish to give a tip, these are our recommended guidelines.)
- Guide: 50 - 100 soles per trekker
ARE YOU PART OF THE SUSTAINABLE WORK?
Yes, we are a local sustainable & responsible tourism operator in that we incorporate the universal principles of tourism, protect the environment and benefit the local communities respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our staff to know, understand and respect the local places and its people.
THINGS YOU MUST BRING WITH YOU
- Original Passport (it has to be the same you have used for booking your trek)
- Good daypack
- Sun protection cream (SPF 45 or higher recommended).
- Bug spray with 50% DEET.
- Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips to your staff "Machu Picchu”
- Layers of clothes for variable temperatures.
- Camera with extra film and batteries.
- Water proof clothing and or a rain poncho (it depends of the season).
- Favorite snacks.
WHY CHOOSE MACHUPICCHULLAMAPERU?
MACHUPICCHULLAMAPERU is a family owned travel agency and a local tour operator based in Cusco with personal experience over many years of trekking mountains. MACHUPICCHULLAMAPERU is a 100% Cusqueñian Company without any shareholders.
Our dream as a locally based company is to create small personalized tours & treks strictly and only operated by local professional staff catering in PERSONALIZED and HIGH QUALITY SERVICE.
We take pride in our reputation as a RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE tour operator. Our staff are our extended family. We ensure they are supported financially by offering them a fair salary. We are so proud of our team! Without them, we wouldn’t be able to offer the best service and lifetime experiences to our clients.
MACHUPICCHULLAMAPERU knows how important it is to trust in a reliable honest operator to create your adventure of a lifetime while in Peru. Check out our reviews on TRIPADVISOR for yourself!
SMALL GROUPS:
To ensure a more personalized service for our guests, at MACHUPICCHULLAMAPERU we have a policy that our groups will not exceed 8 people. This fact alone sets us apart from other companies that operate departures with bigger groups.
OUR TOP TOUR GUIDES:
We are so proud of our guides! They are highly professional and speak fluent English and our local language “Quechua” They are very knowledgeable and passionate for Inca heritage and history. Our guides are dedicated to continuous personal and professional development. They do research to ensure that you receive accurate and recognized theories in Inca and Andean culture. Our crew is fun loving, great sports and well-educated. They all hold degrees in one of the following: Archaeology, Tourism, Botany, History or Anthropology.
IMPORTANT INFO
ARRIVAL TO CUSCO
You will be greeted at the Cusco airport and taken to your hotel, please ensure that you inform us of your flight details at least 14 days prior to arrival. Look for our representative holding a blue MACHUPICCHULLAMAPERU board at the exit from the arrival terminal.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
1-. ¿ how to avoid altitude sickness?
For those trekkers that come to Cusco directly from places at sea level; we recommend arriving 2-3 days before your trek. Two of the most common health issues among tourists in Cusco are: The Altitude Sickness (Soroche) and stomach pain provoked by slow digestion.
In general if you have regular exercise and spend a couple of days in Cusco, or in the Sacred Valley for acclimatization to the altitude, you may be fine.
The recommended medicine for altitude sickness is WATER, COCA TEA and OXYGEN IF NEEDED; our guides are trained to treat you for Altitude Sickness.
We offer the Cusco City Tour or Sacred Valley Tour that you can book while you are acclimatizing. Check out our Day Tours on our Home Page.
2-. ¿HOW DIFFICULT IS THe LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU?
“Lares trek to Machu Picchu” is located in the mountains and in the part of the Andes in Cusco region which make a moderate trek and you should be well prepared and healthy prior to starting it. You have to be moderately fit and take regular exercise. In preparation: try walking 15kms in a day or go to the fitness club in the months leading up to the trek. It is also important to be well acclimatized to the altitude. Try to spend at least 2 or 3 days in Cusco (3350m/10,990ft.) prior to starting the trek.
We offer the Cusco City Tour or Sacred Valley Tour that you can book while you are acclimatizing. Check out our Day Tours on our Home Page.
3.- ¿WILL THE CAR IS GOING TO DROPP OFF US AT THE HOTEL?
Absolutely! Included in our packages is dropping you off at your hotel on the return from your trek or tour. If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will drop you there too!
If you spend the night at Ollantaytambo before the trek, we will pick you up there too.
4-. ¿WHAT HAPPENS IF SOME ONE IS UNABLE TO FINISH THE TRAIL?
In the scenario that you are unable to finish the trek due to a health reasons, machupicchullamaperu will assist you to the nearest town for help with transportation. We always carry oxygen on the trek for any respiratory problems. There are no refunds in the unlikely situation that you are unable to finish the trek.
Generally those who have to be assisted off the trail are taken to Ollantaytambo and if they recover they continue the journey to Aguas Calientes (cost incurred by trekker) and visit Machu Picchu according to the original plan.
5-. ¿ARE YOU PART OF THE SUSTAINABLE WORK?
Yes, we are a local sustainable & responsible tourism operator in that we incorporate the universal principles of tourism, protect the environment and benefit the local communities respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our staff to know, understand and respect the local places and its people.
