Itinerary
DAY 1: CUSCO CITY TOUR – SACSAYWAMAN – NEARBY RUINS
Upon your arrival to Cusco, you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel. There, you will receive a short orientation having the rest of the morning at your leisure to rest and acclimatize to the altitude.
In the afternoon at 1pm, we will pick you up at your hotel and we will start our visit of the Imperial City of Cusco, a living example of the mix of Andean and Spanish cultures. Then, we continue our journey visiting the Santo Domingo Convent built over the Koricancha Sun Temple, as well as the ancient Inca Palace and the main worship center of the Sun Inti. You will have time to enjoy these beautiful sights; after, we proceed to visit the archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman with its military Inca architecture, which dominates the city.
Finally, we go to the archaeological sites of Qenqo, Puca Pucará and Tambomachay, located in the north east of the city. We take you back to your hotel in the early evening.
- 3* Accommodation: Maytaq Wasin or Waman Hotels
- 4* Accommodation: Costa del Sol Ramada, Casa Andina Private Collection or Novotel Hotels
Day 2: Cusco to Machu Picchu to Cusco
This is the day you’ve been waiting for! Today is your once in a lifetime visit to the majestic Machu Picchu. We pick you up at your Cusco hotel 6:30am, and then drive in our private van to the Poroy-Cusco Train Station for your train departing at 7:35am.
In the rainy season, January through April, the Vistadome does not leave from Poroy. We pick you up at 4:45 am from Cusco to drive to the Ollantaytambo Train Station for the 7:05 am Vistadome Train. If you are staying in Ollentaytambo we will pick you up at 6:45.
Travel through the Sacred Valley of the Inca, ringed by towering white glacial peaks. As you near Aguas Calientes, the wide valley becomes a narrow river canyon, where you enter sub-tropical jungle as you approach the Amazon. The sacred Vilcanota River will be your companion until your arrival at Aguas Calientes.
Your guide will meet you at the train station at 10:52am. You will have a little time to get a sandwich or snack before going up to Machu Picchu on the shuttle bus (2,430mt/7972ft). Following in the ancient and remote footsteps of the Lost City of the Incas, your guide will give you the full tour, which takes over two hours. You will see all of the most important parts of Machu Picchu, including the Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Condor, Temple of Three Windows, Sun Dial, Quarry and the House of the Inca. You will also learn about how Machu Picchu is divided into three sectors: agricultural, residential and religious.
Returning to Aguas Calientes, you will catch the early evening Vistadome train 18:10pm train to Poroy, where we take you back to your hotel in Cusco, arriving approximately by 10pm. During the rainy season, we will pick you up in Ollantaytambo and drive you to your Cusco hotel.
- Meals: Breakfast, snacks and hot drink on the train
- 3* Accommodation: Maytaq Wasin or Waman Hotels
- 4* Accommodation: Costa del Sol Ramada, Casa Andina Private Collection or Novotel Hotels
EXTRA HIKES
- Hiking up to the SUN Gate: It takes an hour hike from where you may enjoy the amazing angle view of Machu Picchu (no fee).
- Inca Bridge: It is a 25-minute walk from the citadel, great views (no fee).
- Please note that it is not possible to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain with the schedule of a one day tour.
Day 3: DEPARTURE FROM CUSCO
After having breakfast at the hotel, enjoy your remaining time in Cusco. Then, in the afternoon we will drop off at the airport to take your plane back to Lima.
- Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions
WHAT IS INCLUDED
- Transfer in from the Cusco airport
- Pick up at your hotel
- Entrances to the Inca Cities and archeological sites
- Private transportation
- Vistadome Train Poroy (Cusco) to Aguas Calientes
- Vistadome Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Hotel accommodations in Cusco 2 nights 3* or 4* your choice
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Roundtrip bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu
- Entrance fees to Machu Picchu
- English speaking guide
- Transfer out to the Cusco airport
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
- Meals not included in itinerary
- Entrance fee to the hot springs of Aguas Calientes (10 soles)
- Tips for your guide
Price
This fantastic package can be done on any date that is best for you as long as we have a minimum of 2 participant.
PRICES:
$544 USD per person Vistadome Train without hotels
$697 USD per person Vistadome Train 2 nights 3* hotels
$764 USD per person Vistadome Train 2 nights 4* hotels
***Private service is available for $100 USD more per person.
***All entrance fees are included and we operate our tours in small groups averaging 2 to 6 persons with a maximum of 8!
DISCOUNTS
- 18 to 25 years old: $30 USD. Information required on student card: name of university, student name, photo of student, expiration date etc. A copy of the card is required at booking for government approval for discount.
- Under 18 years old: $30 USD. Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
- Under 11 years old: $40 USD. Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
EXTRAS
- Hotel single supplement: $60 USD per night 3*(for solo travellers with single room)
- Hotel single supplement: $100 USD per night 4*(for solo travellers with single room)
- Upgrade to 4 or 5 star hotels
- Extra night in Aguas Calientes upon request
Why SAM
WHY CHOOSE SAM TRAVEL?
SAM Travel Peru is a family owned travel agency and a local tour operator based in Cusco with personal experience over many years of trekking. SAM Travel Peru is a 100% Cusqueñian Company without any shareholders.
Our dream as a locally based company is to create small personalized tours & treks strictly and only operated by local professional staff catering in PERSONALIZED and HIGH QUALITY SERVICE.
We take pride in our reputation as a RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE tour operator. Our staff are our extended family. We ensure they are supported financially by offering them a fair salary. We are proud of our team without them , we wouldn’t be able to offer the best service and lifetime experiences to our clients.
SAM Travel Peru knows how important it is to trust in a reliable honest operator to create your adventure of a lifetime while in Peru. Check out our reviews and certificates of excellence on, TRIPADVISOR for yourself! Also we are highly recommended on Conde Nast Travelers, Lonely Planet and by many blogs like: Salkantay/Inka Trail ! July 14th to 20th 2016 Trek de Lares 4 hours, “It’s the journey, not the destination…”, Lares Pass – Day 3, Trekking in the Sacred Valley, Alli and Ellie hike to Machu Picchu
SMALL GROUPS
To ensure a more personalized service for our guests, at SAM Travel Peru we have a policy that our groups will not exceed 8 people. This fact alone sets us apart from other companies that operate departures with bigger groups.
OUR TOUR GUIDES
We are so proud of our guides! They are highly professional and speak fluent English. They are very knowledgeable and passionate for Inca heritage and history. Our guides are dedicated to continuous personal and professional development. They do research to ensure that you receive accurate and recognized theories in Inca and Andean culture. Our crew is fun loving, great sports and well-educated. They all hold degrees in one of the following: Archeology, Tourism, Botany, History or Anthropology.
OUR SERVICE PROJECTS
SAM Travel Peru have always believed that we should give back to the local isolated communities. Therefore, as part of our commitment to responsible tourism, we always do many service projects and hire locally.
SAM Travel Peru is so proud to be able to support these people, not only employing them but go back to our grassroots as they share with their families. It makes us happy to have this holistic approach with our highland employees and their families!
Important Info
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR YOUR TOUR
Please read carefully the following information as it will help you answer all of your questions about our services and tours
ARRIVAL TO CUSCO
You will be welcomed at Cusco airport and taken to your hotel, please ensure that you inform us of your full flight details at least 14 days prior to your trek. Look out for our representative holding an orange board SAM Travel Peru at the arrival terminal. It can be done on any date that is best suited to you!
THE BRIEFING
Your briefing will take place the night before your tour. It will be held at our office at 6 or 6:30pm, depending on your confirmation email details. The office is located at Calle Santa Teresa Nº383 ; office 107 (second floor). We are next to Subway sandwich shop and share a lobby with Hotel Casona Corrales.
CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE?
Of course! During the Machu Picchu Tour your main luggage can be store at our office or at your hotel, both are for free.
HOW TO BOOK THE TOUR?
FIRST, to book your Cusco City to Machu Picchu Tour, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click here the link BOOK NOW.
Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot purchase an an entrance to Machu Picchu or the train without the following information:
- Personal information (your full name, exactly as on your passport):
- Gender
- Passport number
- D.OB. (dd / mm / yyyy)
- Nationality
SECOND, we require a deposit of $211.00 USD per person in order to purchase a your entrance to Machu Picchu and train ticket. You can make you deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our booking page or click here on the payment method of your choice, either VISA or PAYPAL.
WHAT ABOUT THE BALANCE?
If you would like to avoid the high credit card fees in Peru, you may pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. There are many ATMS within the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by VISA or PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service fee, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account and use our email address: samtravelperu@gmail.com.
HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR THE STUDENT DISCOUNT?
According to Peruvian Law, you must be under 18 years of age at the time of your trek or tour to Machu Picchu (students 18 & above need student cards). For example: if you book a trek at the age of 17 but you turn 18 before you do your trek, you must have a valid university ID card to qualify for the student discount.
- University students must provide a copy of their ID card showing a photo, University name and card expiration date. Cards must be valid for the current academic year only.
- All students from 11 to 17 years, the discount is $30 USD.
- For children from the age of 2 to 11 the discount is $40 USD.
- Children from the age of 0 to 2 are free.
All students must provide a copy of their passport at the time of their booking to get the student discount. Send us a copy at info@samtravelperu.com
MAY I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER THE TICKETS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT?
Unfortunately, the answer is No. Once the tickets have been bought the government does not allow any changes, so we can’t change any departure date after the tickets has been bought. Tickets are also not transferable nor refundable. If you cancel your Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu Tour, the deposit is not refundable at all!
DO I NEED MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT?
Yes! You have to bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport number you sent to us to book your entrance to Machu Picchu, train ticket, other entrances and reservations.
In case you are renewing your passport or changing your name, go ahead and send us your old passport information to secure your permit, and we can change it when you get your new passport number or updated your name for a fee of $25 USD per person. We must have a copy of your old and new passport to make the change. Before you change your passport keep a copy of your old one.
If you do not wish to pay this fee you will need to bring both passports to Peru with you. You can enter Peru with your new passport but you will need to show both passports, old and new to be to enter into Machu Picchu or the train. If you do not have both you will not be allowed to enter into Machu Picchu or get on the train.
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE ON THE TOUR?
The weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee. We recommend to always dress in layers as it is more easier to adjust to the different climates.
ARE WE DROPPED OFF AT OUR HOTEL AFTER THE TOUR?
Absolutely! Included in our packages is dropping you off at your hotel on the return from your trek or tour. If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will drop you there too! If you spend the night at Ollantaytambo before the trek, we wil pick you up there.
ALTITUDE SICKNESS
In general, if you excerise regularly and spend a couple of days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley, you will be able to acclimate normally. It usually take between 24 hours to 2 days.
The recommended remedies for altitude sickness is WATER, COCA TEA and OXYGEN, IF NEEDED. Our guides are trained to treat you for Altitude Sickness. See our detailed information about Altitude Sickness under FAQS.
TRAIN INFORMATION
Our package includes the 16:10 Vistadome train for the way from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, then we drive you back to Cusco in our van, arriving 21:00 – 21:30.
TIPPING
If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary in your country, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the tour. It inspires excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many SAM Travel Peru destinations. Of course you are free to tip as much as you feel appropriate, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your tour. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
ARE YOU SUSTAINABLE?
Yes, we are a local sustainable & responsible tourism operator for that we incorporate the universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our staff to know, understand and respect the local places and it´s people.
Packing Checklist
WHAT TO BRING
- A small backpack or carry bag (larger not allowed on the train or in Machu Picchu)
- Changes of clothing
- Comfortable shoes or runners
- Camera
- Water to drink
- Rain jacket or poncho
- A fleece or jacket
- Warm jacket for nights
- Basic toiletries
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent for mosquitoes
- Hat for the sun
- Some extra money for lunch, snacks and souvenirs
- Original passport (cannot enter Machu Picchu without it)
