If you want to start organizing your trip to Machu Picchu know that you do not necessarily have to enter the Inca trail or by train; Moreover, these routes are out of reach of travelers who are fair with the budget. This is the reason we made this post, we will show you the cheapest way to get to Machu Picchu, through Santa Teresa. Arrive in Machu Picchu through Santa Teresa There are four ways to get to Machu Picchu and all depart from the city of Cusco, it is a city through which you will have to go to get to Machu Picchu. But do not be overwhelmed if you did not find income to the Inca Trail or if by checking the availability of train tickets, only the most expensive tickets remain; There is a cheaper route through which for some time many people are entering Machu Picchu.
The route through Santa Teresa is the cheapest and least frequented route to get to Machu Picchu, you can also do it on your own on public transport or on an organized tour. We explain both options. Arrive at hydroelectric on an organized tour On an organized tour, you will board a van that will take you from the city of Cusco to the town of Santa Teresa, the roads run through ravines of hundreds of meters; Ok, it's not the most relaxed trip in the world but the views are spectacular. After a stop in Santa Teresa to eat, continue for some time to the hydroelectric train station, the trip can be somewhat tedious, so good cheer and good music.
Once the hydroelectric begins the walk following the train tracks to the town of Aguas Calientes, they are 10 kilometers long and can be done in two or two and a half hours. Enjoy this route because you can see landscapes flooded with plants and animals (birds).
The end of the route is the town of Aguas Calientes, there you will stay in a hotel and meet with the rest of the group for dinner, after this you can enjoy the town but only for a moment, because the next day you will have your visit to the Inca city of Machu Picchu. From the town of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town) you can reach the entrance gate of the national park by bus or walk up, if you choose to go up by bus, you will find the ticket office before the Ruinas bridge, very close to the final train station to Macchu Picchu. In any case we must arrive early to Machu Picchu.
Tip: Before going to rest for the day to climb Machu Picchu, buy water and groceries, believe us, they are very necessary for your tour of the Inca city.
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.
Day 1 – Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu
We will pick up you in the early morning from your hotel and then transfered to the train station in Ollantaytambo, you will take the train to Aguas Calientes, enjoy the train, the landscapes. Then we will arrive to Aguas Calientes, where a representative from our agency will welcome you and then will escort you to the local bus station to catch the bus that goes up to Machu Picchu. Bus ride to Machu Picchu lasts approx. 30 minutes and it follows a steep winding path, offering spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. Upon our arrival, we will get into the archaeological zone of Machu Picchu and our guide will show us the most important sectors of this great Inka City, such as the great Intiwatana, The Sun Temple, the urban sector, the agricultural sector among others. Machu Picchu was long thought to be legendary. The guided tour in Machu Picchu will last about 2 hours, and afterwards you will have free time to explore the ruins on your own. If you want to climb Huayna Picchu, a very popular climb with spectacular views, we recommend you to book preferably three months beforehand. (There is daily limit of 400 persons per day allowed to climb, so pre-book if you don’t want to miss out. Cost: $25) The round trip walking to the peak of Huayna Picchu is about an hour and a half. It is definitely worth it for the stunning views from the top! As an alternative to the Huayna Picchu climb you can choose to visit Machu Picchu mountain which gives the ancient Inka townsite its name. This is a new option that lets you see Machu Picchu archeological site from the highest peak. It is less crowded so you don’t have to book early. Cost: $25) After visit this wonder. Depend of your time train tickets, you will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, where you will have time for lunch and also to explore this colorful town that utterly filled with souvenirs shops, restaurants, bars, internet cafes etc. In the night, you will take the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. According the time in your train tickets, return to Ollantaytambo, in Ollantaytambo the transfer is going to pick up you at the bus to return to Cusco.
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 TO SANTA MARIA
We will go to pick you up from your respective hostel. After collecting all the group we will leave Cusco and drive an hour and a half across the spectacular Chinchero plateau and through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo. We will stop at a small local restaurant where you can refresh yourself, get a quick meal or snack, and buy anything you may have forgotten to buy in Cusco. After this we have go back in the bus and drive another hour and a half to Abra Malaga at 4,350 m.a.s.l. There we will provide you all equipment you will need (bike, gloves, elbow pads, knee pads, and helmet), followed by a briefing by our experienced tour guide. Then we mount up for a fun ride all way down hill to Santa Maria at 1,430 m.a.s.l. On the way you will see a lot different landscapes, panoramic views and different micro-climates.We will arrive approximate 4-3 hours, in time for our lunch! We have a free afternoon to rest or explore the village. As an optional highlight you can choose to join the river rafting tour (100 soles). This will take you on quillabamba river for approximately 2hrs or 25 km and includes class 2 and class 3 rapids. In the evening you have dinner and sleep in Santa Maria. DAY 2: SANTA MARIA TO SANTA TERESA
We start with a delicious breakfast and then we prepare for the trekking in the high forest. For that we need some insect repellent and sun cream, and a lot good energies to discover the flora and fauna waiting for us in this expedition. We will pass local plantations on the way to reach the authentic original Inka Trail at the highest point. On the Trail as you view spectacular landscapes and views, you will be trekking into the Inca history. Be warned this is not for people who suffer from vertigo (ask to your guide for especial help or advice to rich 20 minutes of altitude walk) After leaving the Inka trail we have another one hour and a half to walk in the forest until arrived to Cocalmayo village where we will enjoy our delicious lunch with a local family. Then we have some nap time before trekking on again to arrive in 3 hours at the Cocalmayo Hot Springs. There you can decide with your guide how long you want splash and soak before dinner and sleep in Santa Teresa. DAY 3: SANTA TERESA TO AGUAS CALIENTES
We will start at around 6 am. After a great breakfast we will get ready to continue walking to Hidroelectrica and then to Aguas Calientes. There is an option in Santa Teresa to do zip line, all participants will be divided into 2 groups - one who booked zip line and the other who did not. Those of you who reserved zip line will be transported to the place where will be organized this activity for about 3 hours approximately . this group will be taken by bus to the area known as the Hidroelectrica. The rest of the group will continue the trek for approx. 3 hrs. more through the valley until reaching the hydroelectric, where the entire group will get together again. Here all of you will have a lunch. After a short break we will continue walking along the train way and enjoying beautiful landscapes. This part will take approx. 3 hrs. We will arrive to the town of Aguas Calientes, around 4 pm. Here, in the hotel with hot water, wi-fi, you will spend the last third night. In the evening we will meet ll together in the restaurant, where will be waiting for you delicious dinner. You will have a briefing with the guide about the fourth day and Machu Picchu. DAY 4 - MACHU PICCHU / HUAYNA PICCHU TO CUSCO
We will wake up, at 4:00 am, in order to start trekking up the mountain to Machu Picchu in time to catch the sunrise at the top. It will take approximately 1hour and 20 minutes or by the bus up 30 minutes ($.12 USD). Also you have the option to buy your bus ticket one night before if you don’t want this at the last minute. When we first arrive, our guide will take us on a 2 hour tour around the ruins, enlightening us about the ancient City that was once so vibrantly alive, and enriching us with the Inca history. There is much information that our guide can teach us, about all that we have learned about the site archeological site so far. After the guided portion of the tour, you will have some free time to explore the ruins by your self. If you want to climb Huayna Picchu, a very popular climb with spectacular views, we recommend you to book preferably three months beforehand. (There is daily limit of 400 persons per day allowed to climb, so pre-book if you don’t want to miss out. Cost: $25) The round trip walking to the peak of Huayna Picchu is about an hour and a half. It is definitely worth it for the stunning views from the top! As an alternative to the Huayna Picchu climb you can choose to visit Machu Picchu mountain which gives the ancient Inca townsite its name. This is a new option that lets you see Machu Picchu archeological site from the highest peak. It is less crowded so you don’t have to book early. Cost: $20) You will need to descend to Aguas Calientes in time to catch the train back to Cusco and Ollantaytambo. You also have the option of staying an extra night in Aguas Calientes, which would allow you more time to explore this remarkable little town with its many markets and restaurants, and you would be able to spend more time in Machu Picchu. Train from machupicchu to ollantaytambo is about 1 hour 45 minutes, then you need to go out of train station to get bus, after one hour and a half you will be drop in Cusco.
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.
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.
