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In the atmosphere of the Sacred Valley of the InKas, the greatness of remote times is still perceived. To make a complete description or interpretation of this place and its inhabitants would be a gigantic work of hundreds of volumes. It is that destiny has rewarded this magical place with a privileged quality of nature, geography and people; capable of having developed one of the most advanced civilizations for its time.

 

The Inka city of Machupicchu, is built on top of the mountain of the same name. Surrounded by temples, enclosures, platforms and water channels; basically built with stone blocks superimposed on each other. Possibly built in the fifteenth century, by order of Pachacuteq Inka. Machupicchu is considered an important political, religious and administrative center of the Inka empire, it is divided into two large sectors: the agricultural sector that includes a series of terraces (artificial platforms) and the urban one, which consists of several buildings and squares, including the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Temple of the Three Windows and the Temple of the Condor. Machupicchu comes from Quechua and means "Old Mountain"; while Huaynapicchu means Young Mountain; the Historic Sanctuary of Machupicchu is on the UNESCO heritage list.

 

SACRED VALLEY OF THE INKAS AND MACHUPICCHU (WAYNAPICCHU OPTIONAL) - 02 DAY

 

 

DAY 01 (SACRED VALLEY OF THE INKAS – OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES): We pick you up from your hotel in our private transport (7:00 hrs.), to then begin our guided tour of the “Sacred Valley of the Inkas”; We will spend most of our tour surrounding the Vilcanota River and enjoying the panoramic view of this magical place. The places to visit are:

 

• Chinchero, will be the first archaeological center to visit, it is located northwest of the city of Cusco, at 3,762 masl. Chinchero, the most typical town in the Sacred Valley of the Inkas, is a clearly Inka town that the ambitious conquerors wanted to civilize in order to implant their culture, but they never fully succeeded. Its inhabitants inhabit the almost intact Inka constructions, in the same place where their ancestors lived and formed the largest and most prosperous civilization in America. Chinchero has a rich monumental and cultural heritage. It is one of the few places that visibly preserves the Inka urban outline. The remains of the Inka palace, the colonial church built on a stone base, its impeccable terraces and a colorful Sunday fair are its main attractions.
• Moray, at first glance, looks like some kind of amphitheater. Moray is a system of concentric terraces, built in three gigantic holes located at different levels. The largest hole contains 12 circular terraces with variable diameters. At the bottom of these holes there is a drainage system that prevents the storage of rainwater. What is striking is the average annual temperature difference between the top and bottom of the depressions, which reaches approximately 15°C (59°F) in the main depression about 30 meters deep. For scholars, Moray was possibly an Inka agricultural experimentation center, where crop experiments were carried out at different heights (seed production). Moray could have served as a model for calculating agricultural production not only in the Urubamba Valley but also in different parts of the Tahuantinsuyo (domestication of wild plants).
• Salineras de Maras (Salt Mines), are made up of approximately 3,000 wells with an area of about 5 m² on average, built on the inclination of the "Qaqawiñay" mountain. During the dry season they are filled or irrigated every 3 days with salty water that emanates from a natural spring located in the upper part of the wells so that when the water evaporates, the salt contained in it solidifies gradually. This process will continue for approximately one month until a considerable volume of solid salt is obtained, about 10 cm. high from the floor, which is subsequently beaten and thus granulated; the salt will then be packaged by categories and sent to the markets of the region; today that salt is being iodized so its consumption is not harmful. The salt mines of Maras seem like a white spot between the multicolored green of the Sacred Valley and the Urubamba mountain range. Then we will arrive at Urubamba where we will have time to enjoy a delicious lunch.
• Ollantaytambo, will be the last archaeological center to visit on the day, located at an altitude of 2,700 meters above sea level. Ollantaytambo is a compound Quechua word that derives from: "Ollanta" personal name of an Inka Captain whose story was kept as an oral and written tradition and as a drama by Antonio Valdez, a priest of Urubamba, in the mid-18th century it was adapted for a play in 1,780; and "Tambo" Spanish form of "Tanpu" city that offers accommodation, food and comfort for travelers. Ollantaytambo was a very important fortified city, built as a "tanpu" to enable roads to the "Antisuyo" (The Jungle). According to many historians also to allow the protection of the great capital of the Inka from the attacks of the "Antis" who were his worst enemies. Today its name as "fortress" is common but inappropriate because it did not have a warlike duty, it was rather a complex city with a large urban sector and religious temples.

 

After the visit to Ollantaytambo, we went to the train station in Ollantaytambo (5 min.). We will take the train for 1:40 hrs. towards the town of Aguas Calientes, where we will wait for you at the train station and transfer you to your hotel. Aguas Calientes is a small town located 30 minutes (by bus) from the citadel of Machupicchu; In the afternoon of this day, you will have the option to explore the town and perhaps enjoy the hot springs of the place.

 

DAY 02 (AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHUPICCHU – AGUAS CALIENTES – OLLANTAYTAMBO - CUSCO): After enjoying your breakfast, we will take one of the buses to ascend 400 m. along a zigzagging path until you reach the world wonder "The citadel of Machupicchu". The guided tour in the citadel of Machupicchu lasts approximately 2 hours. The guided tour will begin by visiting the main sectors of the Inka site: the Sacred Plaza, the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana (sundial), the Royal Enclosures, the Temple of the Three Windows, the cemetery among others. After the guided tour, the guide will show you the entrance to the Waynapicchu mountain. If it is within your service, the walk to the top will take an hour on average, from the top of this mountain where there are more constructions, you will have an incredible view of the citadel of Machupicchu, the surrounding mountains and valleys.

 

Waynapicchu, is the mountain located northwest of Machupicchu, it is steeper, but more popular and has interesting archaeological remains on top.

 

At the end of the tour you will have free time to explore the citadel of Machupicchu. After this visit, we have to return to the town of Aguas Calientes to enjoy the town and the food in one of the local restaurants. Then we will take the train back to Ollantaytambo. The return will follow the same pattern as the outbound trip, when you arrive at the train station in Ollantaytambo, we will be waiting for you to take you back to your hotel in the city of Cusco. End of service...

 

THE SERVICE INCLUDES:

• Sacred Valley of the Inkas Tour
• Train: Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes (02 hrs approx.)
• Hostel in Aguas Calientes
• Bus: Aguas Calientes - Machupicchu
• Entrance ticket to Machupicchu
• Guided tour in Machupicchu for approximately 02 hrs.
• Entrance ticket to Huaynapicchu or Waynapicchu
• Bus: Machupicchu - Aguas Calientes
• Train: Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo (02 hrs approx.)
• Bus: Ollantaytambo - Cusco (02 hrs approx. each way)
• Transfer to your hotel in Cusco

 

THE SERVICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• Foods
• tips
• Regards

 

THINGS YOU SHOULD BRING:

• Camera
• original passport
• student card
• Long shirts and pants
• Swimwear
• Warm clothing (in case of cold)
• Waterproof rain gear (long poncho)
• Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
• Insect repellent 50% DEET
• Walking shoes and sandals
• Flashlight with enough batteries
• Towel for the whole tour
• Medications and/or personal supplies
• Backpack or Duffel Bag plus backpack
• Water to drink the first day and plastic bags
• Extra money (personal expenses)

 

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PHOTOS - SACRED VALLEY AND MACHUPICCHU 2 DAYS - PERU AMAZONICO

 

THE SERVICE INCLUDES:

• Sacred Valley of the Inkas Tour
• Train: Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes (02 hrs approx.)
• Hostel in Aguas Calientes
• Bus: Aguas Calientes - Machupicchu
• Entrance ticket to Machupicchu
• Guided tour in Machupicchu for approximately 02 hrs.
• Entrance ticket to Huaynapicchu or Waynapicchu
• Bus: Machupicchu - Aguas Calientes
• Train: Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo (02 hrs approx.)
• Bus: Ollantaytambo - Cusco (02 hrs approx. each way)
• Transfer to your hotel in Cusco

 

THE SERVICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• Foods
• tips
• Regards

 

THINGS YOU SHOULD BRING:

• Camera
• original passport
• student card
• Long shirts and pants
• Swimwear
• Warm clothing (in case of cold)
• Waterproof rain gear (long poncho)
• Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
• Insect repellent 50% DEET
• Walking shoes and sandals
• Flashlight with enough batteries
• Towel for the whole tour
• Medications and/or personal supplies
• Backpack or Duffel Bag plus backpack
• Water to drink the first day and plastic bags
• Extra money (personal expenses)

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Prices: US$$ 

Every day departures = Confirmed

 Frequent questions:

How long in advance should you make a reservation?

• Reservations can be a minimum of 48 hours in advance. However, places are limited and are always subject to availability. Tickets for the Machupicchu citadel, Huaynapicchu and Montaña Machupicchu, are in high demand, running out months in advance in some cases. For this reason, we recommend making the reservation as far in advance as possible.

To qualify for discounts for children, students or the Andean community?

• The discount for minors applies according to age, they must be under 18 years of age at the time of the tour.
• The student discount applies according to age, they must be under 25 years of age at the time of the tour.
• The discount for the Andean Community (Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Bolivia), applies upon presentation of the identity document.

What documents do I need to prove that I am a student?

• The student discount is valid as long as you are maximum 25 years old. In the same way, it is valid if, when making the reservation, you send us a copy or photo of your university credential. It must have the following information:
• Full name of the university
• Full name of the student with photograph
• You must indicate the expiration date (effective at the time of travel)

They are not valid documents:

• Proof of enrollment.
• Regular student certificate.
• Transportation card for students.
• ISIC card.

Are there prices by type of accommodation in Aguas Calientes?

• Yes, on the tour we offer standard accommodation. If preferred accommodation is desired, it must be coordinated with the agency.

What is the difference between Machu Picchu citadel, Machu Picchu mountain and Huayna Picchu mountain?

• "Machupicchu" (2400 masl), what is popularly known as "Machupicchu" corresponds to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, which is made up of different areas, including the Machupicchu citadel and its two nearby mountains: Machupicchu and Huaynapicchu.
• "Huaynapicchu" (2693 masl), Young Mountain, is the hill that you can see in the postcards of the city, north of the citadel. This mountain is highly visited, due to its rich archaeological value and its proximity to Machu Picchu. On the way to the top, its steep and narrow trails that defy gravity stand out. Due to its immense popularity, access to this tour is restricted to a certain number of people per day. The only way to get one of these places is to reserve them.
• "Machupicchu Mountain (3082 masl)", Old Mountain, is located on the opposite side to Huaynapicchu Mountain. It is located in the high mountain range that surrounds the citadel, a little more distant than Huaynapicchu. The Machupicchu Mountain is not as popular as Huaynapicchu but it is a slightly less extreme route. This massif offers a totally different perspective to Huaynapicchu, delivering incredible panoramic postcards of the valley that houses the citadel.

Is it possible to book the program discounting the entrance to Machupicchu?

• Yes. To make the reservation in this way, you must book indicating the number of people traveling and the date you want to start the program, and you will receive the corresponding quote along with the instructions for booking.

What is the weather like in Machupicchu?

• Machupicchu is located between the Andes Mountains and the Amazon jungle, having a warm and temperate climate, with an average minimum temperature of 12 ° C and an average maximum temperature of 24 ° C. From April to October is the dry season, that is, during that period there is a lower probability of rain, while from November to March is the rainy season. Despite the differentiation every day of the year there is the possibility of rain, since it is a subtropical area.