DAY 1
Our perfect 2-day plan in Cusco begins with a tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and Machu Picchu. You will cross rivers, small streams and valleys while getting to know several of the villages and archaeological centers of the region. All this while heading towards the great citadel of Machu Picchu.
PISAC
8am – 12pm. A vehicle will pick you up from your accommodation early in the morning to head north of Cusco, to the town and archaeological center of Pisac. Here you will notice a fascinating tranquility, with towering mountain peaks and few cars on the streets. Not surprisingly, many foreigners prefer to stay a long time in Pisac and soak up the calm and magic of the area. You will have time to explore the archaeological site’s system of stone platforms and enclosures, as well as the town’s artisan market.
OLLANTAYTAMBO
1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Inside the vehicle, you will continue your journey accompanied by the beautiful views and fertile lands of the Sacred Valley, passing through Urubamba and then arriving in Ollantaytambo. The stone streets of this picturesque town preserve much of the Inca architecture combined with colonial temples and plazas. One of the major attractions of Ollantaytambo are its large terraces and ruins of the Temple of the Sun, from where you get an unparalleled view of the surrounding valleys. Depending on the type of ticket you have, you will be directed to the train station between 5 and 7 p.m., then travel in the direction of Aguas Calientes.
AGUAS CALIENTES
7pm or 9pm onwards. The train ride from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes takes approximately two hours. This is the closest town to the citadel of Machu Picchu, and here you can have dinner and stroll through its streets before going to bed. If you start to feel up to it, it is best to leave early because you will be up very early the next day.
DAY 2
One of the most magical places in South America, we will spend the third day touring and learning about the mysteries of the citadel of Machu Picchu, then return to Cusco at night.
TOUR MACHU PICCHU
5am to 8am. Buses from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu leave from 5.30 in the morning and take half an hour to the citadel. From here you will have a guided tour of the amazing Inca constructions, accompanied by dreamlike views with the green mountains around you. Then, the guide will say goodbye and you will have time to tour Machu Picchu on your own, with time to know the missing constructions, or climb any of the mountains, Machu Picchu mountain or Huayna Picchu, if you included any in your ticket .
HUAYNA PICCHU AND MOUNTAIN MACHU PICCHU
8am – 12pm. If you decided to complete any of the optional circuits, you should begin your ascent around 8 a.m. Both mountains are quite high, but with totally different characteristics. Huayna Picchu reaches 2,693 meters above sea level, but consists of an almost vertical ascent with many more extreme and narrow paths. On the other hand, Machu Picchu mountain reaches 3,082 meters above sea level, almost 650 meters above the citadel. The way to the top of this mountain is less demanding than Huayna Picchu, has a wider path and can be done by anyone.
12pm onwards. At the end of your visit in Machu Picchu, you will be directed back to Aguas Calientes, where you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo and then head to Cusco by bus.
