Can I get to Machu Picchu on my own? Many people have the idea that it is impossible to reach Machu Picchu without being part of an organized tour, but this is far from the truth. Something that should be taken into account, is that there is an order in the organization of the trip to Machu Picchu, and must follow if you want to reach Machu Picchu without problems. Well to the point!
Or you can take our service at: Machu Picchu Tour
How to get to Machu Picchu on your own These are the steps you have to follow to get to Machu Picchu on your own; We remind you that you have to follow them in the order in which we show them. Reserve Machu Picchu Tickets The first thing you will have to do “and most importantly” is to reserve the Machu Picchu Tickets; If you find availability, we recommend you book the ticket that includes the Huayna Picchu mountain (Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu ticket), you will not regret it. Something you can't do is wait to get to Cusco to buy the tickets. In case you did not know, in most cases Machu Picchu tickets must be booked at least 4 weeks in advance, this will give you the necessary time to book train tickets, hotels and even guides, since coming in season High (from May to September), everything will have to be booked well in advance. Reserve Train Tickets Securing train tickets "round trip" is the second step to get to Machu Picchu without the help of a travel agency. The high season causes train tickets to sell out quickly in all available services. So, if you do not want to have the Machu Picchu tickets in your hands and find no way to get to Machu Picchu - it happens more often than you think -, then, just know when you are going to enter Machu Picchu, book the train tickets . Arrive in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) If you have done all of the above, you should now know how to get to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town). Getting to Machu Picchu is not difficult, even more so if you can use your smarthphone to know its exact location and how to get to certain places. Once in Cusco, you will have to get up very early and go to Pavitos Street, here you will find minibuses and minivans that will charge you around S / 15 (US $ 4) to take you to the town of Ollantaytambo. "Keep your train departure schedule in mind."
From Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu it is even easier. When you arrive in Ollantaytambo, you can take a “motorcycle taxi”, it is very fun and the easiest way to get to Ollantaytambo station, this will cost you between S / 2 and S / 5 soles (US $ 0.70 and US $ 1.50 ). If time permits, do not miss the opportunity to tour the ruins of Ollantaytambo; It is one of the best prior to the Inca City of Machu Picchu. Once at Ollantaytambo station, look for your train and board it. The tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas is one of the most beautiful short train routes in the world, so enjoy it. The train will take you to the city of Aguas Calientes, at the foot of the Machu Picchu Mountain.
Recommendation: you will enjoy Machu Picchu more if you can arrive a day before the day of your visit to the city of Aguas Calientes. Book your hotel You can expect to get to Aguas Calientes to book your hotel. If there is something that abounds in Aguas Calientes, they are hotels; You can find hotels of all prices and categories. If you only have one day in Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu, you can skip this step.
Very Important: If you are planning to visit Machu Picchu during the high season (from May to September), you will have to book your hotel, in Cusco or Aguas Calientes, after booking train tickets. Getting from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu If you arrive a day before your visit to Aguas Calientes, you can take the first bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu; but if your visit is one day, know that you can buy the bus tickets to Machu Picchu, next to the train station in Aguas Calientes, just before the Ruinas Bridge; These tickets cannot be booked in advance, purchased online, or by third parties. You can only buy your ticket in person and with your passport. If you want to know more about the bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, enter here. At the entrance to Machu Picchu Before allowing you to enter Machu Picchu, you will be asked to present the copy of your Machu Picchu ticket along with your original valid Passport, if you do not present these documents you will be prevented from entering Machu Picchu, and everything will have been in vain; so do not forget that your documents must be valid when entering Machu Picchu.
DAY 1: CUSCO – PATABAMBA – HUCHUY QOSQO
We will begin the tour with an early morning pick up from your hotel, at 7:30 am, to drive right over to Patabamba (3800 m.). The day’s hike will start at this point, and will continue through Andean landscapes and over the Pukamarca Pass at 3,800m, we will hike along a path that leads to the Tauca town, where we encounter archaeological remains and wild crops, such as tarwi, and a large quantity of cactus. We continue on to the Pukamarca pass at 4200, where we may enjoy views of the Surrounding area, immense mountains, Veronica, Pitusiray, Chicon and San Juan snow peaks. Continuing the path, we will descend towards the beautiful, remote Andean pueblo, Pukamarca at 4010m, where we stop and have a short break. As get back on the move, we will walk downhill into a mystical ancient path which will lead us to the Leon Punku Ravine. We will be led into a very narrow corridor, between some immense rock walls, where we will discover some Incan remains and various Inca bridges and sets of stairs (some of the best Inca Stairs anywhere). This canyon is absolutely magical and boasts geological formations surrounded by majestic rocks and boulders that direct the river to Huchuy Qosqo at 3600m, where we will soon be arriving. Upon our arrival to the ruins in the evening, we will actually continue on past the ruins and to our accommodations for the night. We will have dinner and sleep in the typical home of a native of the area, just to the side of the Huchuy Qosqo ruins.
DAY 2: WACAWASI – AURACCASA PASS – YANAHUARA
DAY 2: HUCHUY QOSQO- LAMAY-OLLANTAYTAMBO- AGUAS CALIENTES Huchuy Qosqo is an Inca archaeological complex which is perched precariously on the side of a mountain with imposing architecture that includes a large open ceremonial center, from which we enjoy an amazing panoramic view of the Sacred Valley, the Vilcanota River, and the snow capped mountain range of the same name. While in the complex, we will receive a guided tour as we make our way around the ruins after which we continue our way down the mountain, to Lamay at 3000m/ 9840 ft. Lamay is a town dedicated to agriculture and cattle raising. Later in the afternoon, our private transport drives us to Ollantaytambo, where we will board an afternoon train to Aguas Calientes. The train ride to get there is an absolutely gorgeous route, renowned the world round for its’ beauty. Upon our arrival to Aguas Calientes all passengers will be shown their respective hotels.
DAY 3 - MACHU PICCHU
Your climb to Machu Picchu begins before the sun is up. Ascend step by step for approximately an hour up the Inca staircase to the formerly lost stronghold of Machu Picchu. A 2-hour guided tour reveals mysteries and poses questions of how the Incas lived and were able to achieve such marvelous feats of engineering. After the tour you have the option to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for an even more incredible view of the ruins and the surrounding sheer cliffs of the Andes. Take your time exploring the wondrous ruins and get that perfect picture before making your descent back to Aguas Calientes. Your return time to Cusco will depend on which transport option, or return train you select. Huayna Picchu is the mountain located at the northwest end of the ruins and Machu Picchu mountain is located at the southwest end. Huayna Picchu is steeper, but more popular and has some interesting archeological ruins at the top. Machu Picchu mountain is a longer trek, less steep and less crowded and offers great views over Machu Picchu. Check this amazing link out for views from the Huayna Picchu mountain and Machu Picchu mountain (it will open with the Huayna Picchu mountain, click on the right side of the picture and the other views will open). Huayanpicchu cost $10 dollars extra depending of spaces.(we have to book thisd in advanced)
DAY 1: CUSCO – LARES – KISHUARANI
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco shortly after 5 a.m. to go by private van to Lares. Our staff will organize all the equipment there. While they are preparing our horses, we will have time to enjoy the beautiful hot springs in Lares. After a great meal, we will begin our hike to Kishuarani, our destination for the day. There we will camp and have some time to visit the families who area living in this area. If you have extra energy maybe we can share time with them and see how they work in their farms. Then we will have a delicious warm dinner in the evening. Your tents will be ready to welcome you into a good night’s sleep.
DAY 2: KISHUARANI – PACHACUTEC PASS – CANCHA CANCHA
We will start our day with a gentle wake up with coca tea delivered to your tent, after which you’ll have time to organize your belongings. Then we will enjoy a delicious and hearty breakfast, just what we need for the day ahead. On this day we will hike about 17 km or 7 hours. The first challenge of our trek will be the climb over Pachacutec pass at 4700 meters. We will celebrate the climb with a lunch near the top. Afterward we have another easy 2 hours approx. to reach our campsite in Cancha Cancha. There we will meet the local people again and learn more about their way of life. This day if we are blessed with clear skies we will see beautiful landscapes and snow-capped mountains the whole day long, and perhaps some condors flying over our heads. At the end of this beautiful day we will have a nice dinner and happy hour before a well-earned rest.
DAY 3: CANCHA CANCHA – HUARAN – OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES
After some hot chocolate, coffee, bread and pancakes we will start our easy day. After going both up and down for a time, we begin a basically downhill trek until Huaran where we are going to spend some time with people living there. Your guide will explain how these people live and work and keep happiness in their families. If we are lucky we will pass by a typical local bar called a “chicheria”. If it is open we will have a chance to see how they make a local corn beer “chicha” from the local corn. Chicha was a sacred drink in the time of the Incas. Then we will meet our vehicle which will take us from Huaran to Ollantaytambo at the bottom of the valley. Then we will board our train and travel 1:45 hours from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. Our guide will meet you and you take to your hotel and let you know where to have dinner. He will also give you all the information you will need for your next day in Machu Picchu.
DAY 4: MACHU PICCHU SANCTUARY – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO
Our tour guides and company recommend going to Machu Picchu early in order to be one of the first ones there. It is magical with fewer people and you can have the chance to enjoy the sunrise. Breakfast will be served in your hotel. Then you’ll be taken to catch one of the buses going to Machu Picchu. There your guide will share with you the knowledge and history about Machu Picchu sanctuary in a w tour for approximately 2 hours. You will have some time to explore on your own before you will have to return to Aguas Calientes to catch your train to Ollantaytambo. Our driver or transfer will be waiting for you there with private transportation to take you back to Cusco and your hotel.
DAY 1: CUSCO - OCONGATE - TINKI COMMUNITY
We leave the city of Cusco in a private transport, in the direction of Tinki (3800m/12464ft). On the way we stop in Urcos, where we may visit a beautiful lake with the same name. We then go on to Cattca, where we can appreciate the region’s spectacular views and finally pass through Ocongate, capital of the district with the same name and only half an hour away from our destination. After an approximated of 6-hour drive, we arrive at Tinki, Tinki will be our first campsite and start the trek the next morning. DAY 2: TINKI - PACCHANTA - QOMERQOCHA LAGOON
After breakfast, we will spend some time visiting the Tinki public school and will have the chance to meet the children of the neighboring communities that study at this place. Then We then leave Tinki and start a 2,5h walk towards Pacchanta (4100m/13448ft), where we stop for lunch. Pacchanta is a rural community that boasts some well-known hot springs where we can enjoy a nice dip, offering awesome views of Ausangate Mountain. In the afternoon we follow our trek through a slight climb up the Pacchanta valley, having the chance to spot llamas and alpacas, until we reach the beautiful Qomercocha lagoon where we set our camp and have dinner. Our campsite will be set in a spectacular spot with amazing views of Ausangate. DAY 3: QOMERQOCHA LAGOON TO YANAMAYO
We leave Qomercocha lagoon around at 7.00 am and continue on towards the first mountain pass of our trek, the Abra Q´ampa at 5000m/16400ft, which we will reach after about 4h. then We will descend towards the Ticllaqocha Lagoons, a beautiful group of little turquoise lagoons next to which we have lunch. In the afternoon we continue our hike for an additional 2-3h until we reach Yanamayo where we set our camp in an impressive valley overlooked by the impressive Tres Picos. DAY 4: YANAMAYO TO CONDORPASO
We leave camp and start a gradual climb up toward Yanaqocha or “Black Lagoon” its name being due to the dark color of its waters. We will go over Yanaqocha mountain pass (5050m/16564ft) to then discover a surprisingly beautiful valley with an explosion of colored mountains, three spectacular lagoons and the presence of llamas and alpacas, which we will cross to head towards our next mountain pass (5100m/16728ft). From this point, an additional hour of hike leads us to Condor pass, our next campsite, located very close to the mountain pass of the same name which will be our challenge for the next day. DAY 5: CONDOR PASS TO SOURCE OF SIBINACOCHA LAGOON
After breakfast, we continue on a gradual climb up the valley that takes us to the mountain pass Abra del Condor (5200m/17056ft) after an approximated two hour walk. We have spectacular views of the Vilcanota mountain range and the Sibinacocha Lagoon, our next milestone, where can see wild vicuñas. Immediately. we continue our hike for 3 hours, crossing another mountain pass on the way and then descending into the valley of the Sibinacocha Lagoon’s source. We will camp next to the lagoon and very close from its source. The lagoon boasts a wide bio-diversity, where we can see Andean Coots, “Huallatas” or Andean Geese as well as Andean Ducks from our camp. DAY 6: SOURCE OF SIBINACOCHA LAGOON TO CCASCANA
Today, we depart early to walk along the shores of the Sibinacocha Lagoon for 3h until we reach the Yayamari community, (5500m/18040ft). We then continue accross a pampa where we will most probably see hundreds of llamas, alpacas and hopefully vicuñas, to then follow towards the Abra Ccascana at 5000m/16400ft, which will lead us to the lagoon of the same name, in where we will set our last camp and we may have the chance to spot ¨Huallatas¨ or Andean geese and maybe even flamingos. DAY 7: CCASCARA TO PHINAYA VILLAGE AND BACK TO CUSCO
After our breakfast, we leave Ccascara to walk for 3 and 30 minutes towards Phinaya. This is a small Andean community with a beautiful little church, where we will have lunch. In the afternoon, we meet our private transport that will drive us back to Cusco, where we expect to arrive after nightfall.
Ausangate Trek 5 days, will take you Ausangate mountain itself is considered a holy mountain by local people and is the deity of Cusco. Since pre-Inca times the mountain has been a place of worship and offerings and this tradition continues today.
This tour is an option thinking of people who like hiking and nature and do not have many days, on the route we will appreciate beautiful landscapes, crops of different products such as corn, avocado, squash and others that are produced in this Limatambo valley. The Humantay lake is located at 4180 meters above sea level with a turquoise coloration, and the Humantay or Apu Humantay peaks to be connected with nature Cusco.
On Rainbow Mountain Hike, you will see quaint villages, beautiful adobe style houses, herds of llamas and alpacas and you will have magnificent views of the Ausangate Glacier (6,385 m / 20,945 ft), the highest mountain in the Cusco region.
The Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), are stunning and can be seen on the spectacular Ausangate Trek. Ausangate mountain itself is considered a holy mountain by local people and is the deity of Cusco. Since pre-Inca times the mountain has been a place of worship and offerings and this tradition continues today.
The Inca Trail is the preferred route for adventurers who want to enjoy the beautiful landscape of the Andes, passing through different ecosystems, appreciating the diversity of flora and fauna up to Machu Picchu
On Cusco Imperial Tour 5 Days, You can find the important capital of the Inca Empire through this program which includes a tour through the main attractions in the heart of the Inca Empire. Cusco is the main tourist destination in South America for being the former capital of the Inca Empire.
DAY 1: CUSCO / CITY TOUR
Reception at the airport, transfer to the hotel and you will have a free time available to rest and so avoid altitude sickness. In the afternoon the trip will start with the visit of the Temple Koricancha , The Main Square or Plaza de Armas, The Cathedral and continue to visit the Inca sites: The Fortress Sacsayhuaman the latter side is strategically built on a hill overlooking Cusco and is famous for its enormous carved stones, some of them standing over 9m/30ft tall and weighing over 350 tons, set together whit astounding precision to form the outer walls. Most important Mystical center from Inkas time Qenqo, the military control center Puca pucara and the water temple of Tambomachay. Return to the hotel and free night.
DAY 2: CUSCO/ SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS
This day we take a trip to the Sacred Valley of the Incas: visit the Pisac Incas built, the colorful Andean market and the church. Then we pass places like Lamay and Calca on the way to arrive in Urubamba town where we stop for lunch. After lunch visit to Ollantaytambo town, where we can see its typical streets, the impressive archaeological constructions and agricultural terracing, not to mention the splendid views over the sacred valley. Finally, visit the picturesque Andean village of Chinchero where the built of the royal hacienda Of Tupac Inca Yupanqui lie. You can admire the well preserved Inca wall in the main square, and visit the beautiful colonial temple. Built on Inca foundations with interesting paintings. Overnight in Cusco
DAY 3: CUSCO / MACHU PICCHU TOUR
Pick up at the hotel to take the train for a full day tour of the Magical citadel of Machu Picchu, it is 112 Km. from Cusco .During the journey we see the Urubamba canyon, Urubamba River and the show capped peaks of the Veronica Mountain. Arriving in Aguas Calientes we go to Machu Picchu where we visit this wonderful Inca Sanctuary also known as “The lost City of the Incas “one of the best known examples of surviving Inca. After the visit, we come back to Aguas Calientes to take the train back to Cusco.
DAY 4: DEPARTURE FROM CUSCO
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and take you to the airport.
We'll be waiting for you at the airport in Cusco on your arrival date , take you to the hotel where you will rest for an hour , you'll have a cup of coca tea and we will pick you up from your Hotel in the afternoon (from 13:30 hrs to 18:30 hrs) to start with the tour around Cusco and outskirts.
Tour around Cusco and outskirts: We pick you up from your Hotel to start visiting the following attractives , with aprofessional guide: - The Koricancha Palace andConvent of Santo Domingo
Religious center known as "The Temple of the Sun" where you will admire the impressive engineering used in its construction.
The Cathedral:Colonial religious monument of extraordinary artistic value.
Sacsayhuaman: Located 3 km from the city of Cusco,impressive stone fortress monumental and magnificent architecture, famous for its enormous carved stones,some of which are at9 m/ 30 feettall and weigh of 350 tons. Here is where the Inty Raymi or Fiesta del Sol in June take place every year.
Qenqo: Ceremonial and ritual center, amphitheater where sacrifices were made. Puca-Pucara: An old tambo (resting place), monitoring placethroughout the Inka Empire Routes.
Tambomachay: At 7 Km. From the city of Cusco,ceremonial center of worship of water , traditionally known as the place of water.Excursiontime: around 5 hours.
Frequency : everyday in the afternoons.
From 05:45 hrs to 06:00 hrs., we pick you up from your Hotel inCusco (3400 m.a.s.l.) and drive you to the Train Station, located in Poroy, then we get aboard the train and the trip from Cusco starts heading toAguas Calientes (2000 mosl).Our Guide Will be waiting there , he will lead us to the bus station,rising by a zigzag pathfor 30 minutes to the incredible Machu Picchu, known as the lost city of the Incas.Once we get to Machu-Picchu, We'll pass throught the control, where we'll hand in our entrance tickets and where our guided tour will start, visitingthe main square, the Circular tower, the sacred solar clock, the royal rooms, the temple of the three windows and the cementeries, it lasts around two hours. Afterwards you'll be givenenoughtime to have a walk around the citadel and have your meals ,at any restaurant in Aguas Calientes or if you wish atSantuary Lodge (this is not included).
In the afternoon, betwen 15:30 hrs and 17:00 hrs we'll return on train to Cusco, we'll be waiting for you at the train station and then we'll take you back to your hotel.
DAY 3: FAREWELL:
We'll be at your hotel at least two hours before your flightleaves to take you to the airport Where you should check your plane ticket and pay the airport tax, we'll see you to the departure launge.
We pick up you from your hotel at 8:00 am, we are going to go Village of Maras, happening through very typical populations and beautiful landscapes that we will be able to enjoy in our route, arrival and visits the following places Village of Maras : Located in the province of Urubamba to 3300 m.a.s.l.We will be able appreciates the snow-covered mountain range of the Vilcanota and summits: “The Chikón” (5530 m.a.s.l.), “Putukisi” “the Veronica” (5682 m.a.s.l.). At the east present time attractive colorful town guard of the pre-Hispanic, colonial and republican period, emphasizing in the town colonial streets and covers with shields of the noble and caciques of centuries XVII and XVIII. Moray Archaeological Site: One is to about 7 km to the southwest of Maras; it is unique archaeological group in its sort in the region. It is about enormous terraces that are superposed concentrically in a gigantic hole, these beautiful terraces that served at the Inca time like an agricultural laboratory “Prototype as Conservatory” in which old quechuas experienced and obtained improvements. Place where incredible advances in agriculture were obtained. Salt Mines of Maras: Located to the northwest of the town of Maras are constituted for about 2000 small wells with an area average of about 5 mts², operated from the time Inca, Colonial time and that even continues being exploded by the villagers. They indicate that the mountain has in its interior salt mines, a manante of salt water that arise from this mountain, serves during the time of drought to fill to the wells in form of “irrigation” every 3 days with salt water during a month, so that it is solidified gradually, then has the process for the consumption of the region.
We will go to Pisac where you can see impressive agricultural terraces all over the place. After we will go back to the town of Pisac, where there is a peculiar market that deserves to be visited. At the market you will have free time to walk around and do some shopping. Afterwards we will go to the Urubamba where we have Our Lunch.
After We will go along the Urubamba River towards the town of Ollantaytambo. In there. we will visit the archeological site of Ollantaytambo, an important Inca construction built during the Inca's heydays. This is an extraordinary Inca place where besides the ruins you may also see an amazing rock formation representing the Inca god Wiracocha. On the way to Cusco we’ll visit the picturesque town of Chinchero where we will see the remains of the royal house of Tupac Inca Yupanqui, the beautiful colonial temple with interesting frescoes on the front gate (this place was built on the foundations of an Inca construction). We can also admire the well-preserved Inca walls in the main square of the town. Finally, we return to the city of Cusco, arriving at around 18:30 h. Sacred Valley Tour Service.
City Tour Cusco is a perfect introduction to Cusco’s vibrant history. It includes Cusco’s main archaeological sights, including the Cathedral and Qoricancha (the temple of the sun) in the city, as well as the four main ruins on the outskirts of Cusco: Sacsayhuaman, Q’enqo, Tambomachay and Puka Pukara.
Making this excursion to Machu Picchu By Car you will have a beautiful panorama full of landscapes and snowy mountains as Chicon, salkantay and Veronica that shows our Peruvian Andean highlands with asphalt roads and very friendly people.
Machu Pichu Tour 2 Days, Our tour is in bus and train, following the route of the Urubamba River all the way to the cloud forest that surrounds Machu Picchu you enjoy the beautiful scenery of the high Andes throughout the course of the journey. you can spend a night in Aguas Calientes, and the next day you will enjoy of Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu,This stunning site situated on a mountain ridge above the Sacred Valley is the best-preserved relic of Inca civilisation and South America’s most popular attraction with an estimated 3,000 people visiting on a typical day. The citadel of Machu Picchu is the most important tourist attraction in Peru. Now considered one of the “Seven Wonders of the Modern World”.
CUSCO ANDEAN TOURS is specialists in tourism services. we are a local company strongly committed to provide an excelent quality of service to our customers and to all the people who are part of the professional team, We are a company based in Cusco and committed to the good customs and conversation of all the attractions we will show you all the beautys of Cusco and Machu Picchu. take a rest from your thoughts, take a break from this world and come with us to enjoy the beauty of the inca land.
Machu Picchu,This stunning site situated on a mountain ridge above the Sacred Valley is the best-preserved relic of Inca civilisation and South America’s most popular attraction with an estimated 3,000 people visiting on a typical day.
