Cusco to Machu Picchu 3 Days/ 2 Nights

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 briefing 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 Cusco City, 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, as well as the ancient Inca Palace and the main worship center of the Sun God. 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, Pucapucara and Tambomachay, located in the north east of the city.  We take you back to your hotel in the early evening.

• Accommodation: Maytaq Wasin or Best Western Hotels 3*
• Accommodation: Costa del Sol Ramada, Casa Andina Private  Collection or Novotel  Hotels 4*

Day 2: Cusco to Machu Picchu to Cusco

Wake up early to rise to a new day of adventure and mindfulness sharing the day with our majestic Machu Picchu. We pick you up at your hotel 5:40am  or 6:30am then drive in our private van to Poroy-Cusco Train Station to leave at 6.43am Expedition Train or Vistadome 7:35am. 

You will travel through the alpine meadows nestled amongst the green brown and white peaks, the intricately formed valleys, layers of handmade Inca farming terraces, ridged snowcapped mountains and sub-tropical jungle near the Amazon, from Ollantaytambo the sacred Vilcanota River will be our companion until arrival at Aguas Calientes.

Your guide will meet you at the train station and transfer you to Machu Picchu on the shuttle bus, in time for the second sessions at the Citadel of Machu Picchu, 12:00pm to 5:30pm.  (2040mt/7907ft). Following in the ancient and remote footsteps of the Lost City of the Incas, listen carefully the 2.5 hours of guided tour and cultural exchange of the history of Machu Picchu. You will then be gifted with free time to explore and take photos.   After your time at Machu Picchu, you will take the shuttle bus in time to catch the early evening 6:10pm Vistadome Train or 6:20pm Expedition Train to the Ollantaytambo train station.  Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, you will take private transportation back to your hotel in Cusco arriving at about 10:00pm.

• Meals: Breakfast, Snacks, on the Train
• Accommodation: Maytaq Wasin or Best Western Hotels 3*
• Accommodation: Costa del Sol Ramada, Casa Andina Private  Collection or Novotel  Hotels 4*

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).

Day 3: DEPARTURE FROM CUSCO

After having breakfast at the hotel, enjoy your remaining time in Cusco city; then in the afternoon we will drop off at the airport to take your plane back to Lima.

• Meals: Breakfast

WHAT IS INCLUDED

• Pick up at your hotel.
• Entrances to the Inca Cities and Archeological Sites
• Private transportation
• Vistadome Train Poroy (Cusco) to Aguas Calientes or Expedition Ollantaytambo to Aguas Caliente
• Vistadome or Expedition Train 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

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

• Meals not included in itinerary
• Entrance fee to the hot springs of Aguas Calientes (10 soles)
• Tips for your guide

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:

US$367 per person Expedition Train without hotels

US$424 per person Vistadome Train without hotels

US$467 per person Expedition Train 2 nights 3* hotels

US$567 per person Expedition Train 2 nights 4* hotels

US$524 per person Vistadome Train 2 nights 3* hotels

US$624 per person Vistadome Train 2 nights 4* hotels

***Private service is available for $50 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: US$30 Information required on student card: name of university, student name, photo of student, expiration date etc. A copy of the card at booking is required & government approval for discount.
• Under 18 years old: US$30 Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
• Under 11 years old: US$40  Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.

EXTRAS

• Single supplement US$50 per night 3*(for solo travellers with single room)
• Single supplement US$100 per night 4*(for solo travellers with single room)
• Upgrade to 4 or 5 star  hotels. 
• Extra Night in Aguas Calientes upon request

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR YOUR TOUR

Please read carefully the following information; it will help you answer all of your questions about our services and tours

WELCOME 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

At anytime you prefer during the day 9am to 1pm or 3pm to 5pm, please visit us in our office which is located at Calle Santa Teresa  Nº383 ; 303 (second floor), we are next to SUBWAY restaurant.

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. Please don´t  pack anything you will need for your hike.

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 US$200.00 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?

It would be greatly appreciated if you pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. We have many cash machines in 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 charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL.  To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account using our email address of samtravelperu@gmail.com. 

HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR THE STUDENT DISCOUNT?

1. According to Peruvian Law you must be under 18 years of age at the time of your trek, tour, or visit 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 do not qualify for a student discount.
2. All students from 11 to 17 years, the discount is $30.
3. For children from the age of 2 to 11 the discount is $40.
4. For children from the age of 0 to 2 are free.
5. All students must provide a copy of their passport at the time of their booking to get the student discount.
6. 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 for sure!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. The rangers will check when you enter Machu Picchu. The train company will also check your passport before allowing you to board the train.

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 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. They are very strict about this here!!

WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE ON THE TOUR

First I would say that the weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee.  We recommend you to bring a warm jacket for early morning and rain poncho in case of a rain shower.

ARE WE DROPPED 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 have regular exercise and spend a couple of days in Cusco, or in the Sacred Valley for acclimatisation to the altitude, you may be fine.

The recommended medicine 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.

TIPPING

If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, 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 more or less as you feel, 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.

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)
• ISIC Card if applicable.