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MACHU PICCHU

Altitude: 2,400 mts. / 7,872 ft. Above sea level
Climate: Dry. Sunny days and cool nights.
Temperature: 50-78oF - 10-26oC approx.
Rainy Season: December to March

This place for centuries was buried in jungle, until Hiram Bingham stumbled upon it in 1911. Due to the large quantity of women's skeletons found here, it is thought that it might have been a place where the Inca's wives lived or a refuge for women during the time of the Conquest. There is no doubt, however, that Machu Picchu represents an extraordinary example of architecture and engineering.

Generally the trip to Machu Picchu takes a full day. Starting early you take a three hour train trip from Cuzco, to Aguas Calientes. The citadel of Machu Picchu is on a mountaintop reached by small buses from the riverside station down below. The guided tour to Machu Picchu begins at the ruins, ending in lunch. After lunch there is time to take photographs and take a brief stroll by yourself.

Time permitting, we recommend spending the night, thus having Machu Picchu practically to yourself most of the time, so that you can climb the neighboring mountains by Inca trails, take photographs and appreciate the beauty of the sunset - and sunrise next day. If you decide on this option please let us know immediately since the hotels have limited availability.

The Machu Picchu day tour includes visit to the, temples, palaces, towers fountains and after the tour you will have free time to explore on your own. The visit requires at least one day, but we highly recommend two or more days. Includes transfers in Cusco, vistadome train tickets (departs Cusco at 6am and departs Machu Picchu at 330pm), bus services in Machu Picchu up/down, lunch, guide, entrance fee.
New, deluxe tour on Orient Express includes later departure from Cusco (9am), later return from Machu Picchu (630pm) brunch, afternoon tea buffet and cocktail and dinner catered by the Monasterio Hotel.

Besides the examples of traditional tours to Machu Picchu that we list below, we also offer treks to Machu Picchu, including the traditional Inca Trail, alternative camping treks and hotel-based treks. For groups, we can also offer a Machu Picchu plus Lake Titicaca Kayak tour

Most Popular Traditional Packages Including Machu Picchu:

Basic Cusco with Machu Picchu Tour

Day 1 - arrive Cusco, transfer to hotel, afternoon group city and nearby ruins tour
Day 2 - breakfast, then full day group tour to Machu Picchu, including lunch
Day 3 - breakfast, then transfer to airport

Price per person in US$ for 2011:

Basic + Sacred Valley

Day 1 - arrive Cusco, transfer to hotel, afternoon group city and nearby ruins tour
Day 2 - breakfast, then full day group Sacred Valley tour, including lunch
Day 3 - breakfast, then full day group tour to Machu Picchu, including lunch
Day 4 - breakfast, then transfer to airport

Price per person in US$ for 2011

Basic + Overnight at Machu Picchu

Day 1 Cuzco - Met on arrival and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon tour of this magnificent city, a blend of Inca and Spanish Cultures, visiting the Korikancha or Temple of the Sun and the Cathedral, continuing from there to the nearby ruins of Tambomachay (Inca fountains), Puca-Pucara (the Red Fortress), Kenko (sacred site) and finally Sacsahuaman Fortress.
Day 2 Cuzco - Machu Picchu - Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to station.. Train goes through Urubamba Valley, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, to the fabulous mountaintop ruins of Machu Picchu. Full day tour with lunch included.
Day 3 Machu Picchu - Cuzco - Breakfast at the hotel. An early morning wake-up is highly recommended to appreciate the sunrise and also to explore these magnificent ruins practically by yourself. Afternoon train back to your hotel.
Day 4 Cuzco - Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport or station.

Price per person in US$ for 2011

Add $85 per person for 2nd day entrance to Machu Picchu and roundtrip bus ticket from Aguas Caliente

Basic with Overnight in Sacred Valley

Day 1 Cuzco - Sacred Valley - Met on arrival and taken to your hotel located in the Urubamba or Sacred Valley of the Incas. On the way visit the nearby ruins of Sacsahuaman, Puca-Pucara, Kenko and Tambomachay. Afterwards visit the colorful Indian Market of Pisac, famous for its Mass and market. The Mass is attended by the 'mayors' of the neighboring villages, complete in typical dress and carrying their traditional 'varayoc' or staff of office. You will also enjoy the colorful Indian market.
NOTES:
-The hotel in the Valley is located 60 km/37 miles from, and 500 meters/1,700 feet below the city of Cuzco. This lower elevation, plus the Valley humidity and warm climate are easier to adapt to in the high altitude.
- Pisac Market is held on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, but Mass is only on Sunday
Day 2 Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu - Cuzco Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Ollanta station to take the train to the fabulous mountaintop citadel of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival there will be a guided tour of the ruins. Lunch is included.In the afternoon return to Cuzco by train.
Day 3 Cuzco Breakfast at the hotel. Morning tour to the Koricancha or Temple of the Sun, and the narrow streets of San Blas district, the typical Indian walls of Hantunrumiyoc and seven Culebras, the stone with 12 corners, the Cathedral and the Archaeology Museum containing mummies, textiles and jewelry.
Day 4 Cuzco Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport.

Price per person in US$ for 2011

Prices include roundtrip airport transfers, hotels with breakfasts, group tours mentioned. We can also quote for private tours and with new deluxe train service. (We have many other hotels that we can use. The above are just examples in each price range)