Cusco to Machu Picchu : 3-Day Tour – Trip Details
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 4:45am from Cusco to drive to the Ollantaytambo Train Station for the 7:05am Vistadome Train. If you are staying in Ollantaytambo we will pick you up at 6:45am.
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 most of the important parts of Machu Picchu. 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 6:20pm train to Poroy, where we take you back to your hotel in Cusco, arriving approximately by 10:30pm. 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
***Please note that it is not possible to hike Huayna Picchu Mountain with the schedule of a one day tour to Machu Picchu.
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
WHAT’S INCLUDED FOR CUSCO TO MACHU PICCHU?
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
Not Included
- Meals not included in itinerary
- Entrance fee to the hot springs of Aguas Calientes (10 soles)
- Tips for your guide
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
This fantastic package can be done on any date that is best for you as long as we have a minimum of 2 participant.
***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: $110 USD 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 as it will help you answer all of your questions about our All Inclusive Machu Picchu Tour
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
The briefing will take place the night before the trek at 6pm in our office, which is located at Calle Garcilaso 210, office 213 (second floor) in the La CASA DEL ABUELO shopping center.
HOW TO BOOK THE TOUR?
FIRST, to book your All Inclusive 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.
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 All Inclusive 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.
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.
WHAT TO BRING FOR THE CUSTO TO MACHU PICCHU TOUR?
- 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)
