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Luxury Tour Cusco to Machu Picchu – Trip Details
ITINERARY
DAY 1: CUSCO – EXPLORE THE CITY
We will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to your hotel to get settled. Receive a short briefing at your hotel to help you prepare for the adventure ahead and have the remainder of the morning to rest and acclimatize. In the afternoon, we will introduce you to the Imperial City of Cusco, a living example of the mix of Andean and Spanish culture. Continuing your journey, you will visit the Santo Domingo Convent built over the Koricancha, as well as the ancient Inca Palace and the main worship center of the Sun Inti. Our tour continues to the truly impressive archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman and its military Inca architecture, which dominates the city below. Finally, we explore the archaeological sites of Qenqo, Puca Pucará and Tambomachay, located in the north east of the city. We will head back to your hotel in Cusco by early evening.
- 4* Accommodation: Costa del Sol Ramada, Casa Andina Private Collection or Novotel Hotels
DAY 2: CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY
Today we start at 7:30am, when the guide picks you up at your Cusco hotel in our private van. Our route to the Sacred Valley of the Incas leads us to Pisac. We stop first at the Mirador of Taray to enjoy an expansive view of the Urubamba valley and its traditional farming villages. See how the agriculture in the Sacred Valley has changed little in the past five hundred years. Onward, we drive to the archeological site of Pisac, see an impressive Inca cemetery with more than 2,000 tombs. Admire the carefully engineered farming terraces carved into the mountain, explore the Inca tunnel and the religious area of this important citadel. Here, we will spend about 2 hours, exploring the Inca city. Then, we head down to the colorful market of Pisac, then drive to Urubamba for lunch.
Our next stop is the fascinating archeological site of Moray also known as “The Greenhouse of the Incas” a deep basin of architectural wonder. Levels of terraces are carved into a huge bowl, which was carefully engineered by the Incas. The terraces have varied microclimates depending on how deep into the bowl they are placed. Archeologists believe that they were used by the Incas to discover the optimal growing conditions for their crops and experiment in hybridization.
Continuing on our journey to the colonial town of Maras, we look down onto the pre-Inca salt “mines,” called salineras in Spanish. Thousands of salt pans have been passed down through countless generations and used for salt extraction since before Inca times. A hot spring at the top of the valley discharges a small stream of heavily salt laden water, which is diverted into salt pans and evaporated to produce salt. This is one of the few places in the world where you can find naturally pink salt!
Finally, we drive to Ollantaytambo, taking the time to explore the Inca village that has remained intact since Inca times and the massive Inca Ruins, with a tour provided by our guide. Visit the massive architecture of the Sun Temple at the top of the formidable terraces and learn about the importance of this site for the Inca during the beginning of the Spanish conquest. Ready for a relaxing evening, we will return to Cusco, dropping you off at your hotel around 6:30pm.
- 4* Hotels: Costa del Sol Ramada, Casa Andina Private Collection or Novotel Hotels
- Meals included: Breakfast & lunch
DAY 3: CUSCO – MACHU PICCHU
From the Poroy station at 9:05am, we will embark in one of the most spectacular rides on board the exclusive Hiram Bingham train. We will arrive at Aguas Calientes at 12:24pm.
The experience on board is purely first class. The train’s incredible classic style compliments perfectly with the dining room arrangement, enriching your enjoyment of the delightful dishes carefully prepared for us by experienced chefs. The landscapes are breathtaking as we journey through the wide open Sacred Valley. We follow the Urubamba River into a lush sub-tropical canyon, nearing the Amazon as we approach Aguas Calientes. Please see below the amenities and benefits of the Hiram Bingham Train.
- Welcome show aboard with typical dances of the region
- The Bar Car with the best Peruvian cocktails
- Gourmet lunch on board
- The Observatory Car to enjoy the scenery of the route
- Live music show
- VIP Lounge at Machu Picchu Station
- Upbound bus to the Machu Picchu Citadel
- Entrance ticket to the Machu Picchu Citadel
- A tour guide in Spanish and/or English for a group up to 14 people and tea time at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge Hotel.
After your time at Machu Picchu, you will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes. Your Vistadome Train departs Aguas Calientes at 6:10pm. We will pick you up at the Ollantaytambo train station and take you to your hotel in Cusco.
- 4* Accommodation: Costa del Sol Ramada, Casa Andina Private Collection or Novotel Hotels
** We recommend that you take the Vistadome train to return to Cusco because the departure of both trains is after dark and there are fewer benefits to the evening Hiram Bingham than the morning train. If you prefer the Hiram Bingham train, please request at the time of booking.
DAY 4: DEPARTURE & AIRPORT TRANSFER
Our Luxury Tour to Machu Picchu ends here. Airport drop-off is included and it can be done at any time.
- Meals: Breakfast
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
Included
- Transfer in from the Cusco airport
- Professional English Speaking Guides
- All transfers
- City Tour & Sacred Valley
- Entrance tickets to all the archeological sites & other exhibits
- Entrance to Machu Picchu
- Roundtrip bus ticket to Machu Picchu and back from Aguas Calientes
- Belmond Hiram Bingham train tickets from Poroy (Cusco to Aguas Calientes)
- Vistadome Train from Aguas Calientes to Poroy Station
- Ground transport by train, van and bus
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Meals as described in the itinerary
- Hotels all 4****
- Transfer out to the Cusco airport
Not Included
- Airfare and other transportation fees between your home and departure city
- All personal expenses, additional hotel services, and meals not mentioned in itinerary
- Optional tours and activities (prices and availability subject to change)
- Upgraded hotels to 5* upon request
- Huayna Picchu Mountain climb entrance- $75 USD
- Tips for your guide
***Huayna Picchu is an optional trek within Machu Picchu Citadel which does not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like the extra hike to be guided, please request in advance. There is an extra cost for this extra guided tour.
PRICES
- $1,297 USD per person without hotels; Hiram Bingham Train (1 way Cusco to Aguas Calientes)
- $1,667 USD per person 3 nights 4* hotels; Hiram Bingham Train (1 way Cusco to Aguas Calientes)
If a roundtrip Hiram Bingham Train trip is requested it would be $575 USD per person extra.
Our prices are all inclusive and the tour will be operated in a private service!
Our Luxury tour to Machu Picchu may be booked on any date that is best suited to you, as long as we have a minimum of 2 participants!
***This price includes a 1 way trip Hiram Bingham Train to Aguas Calientes which allows you to enjoy the gorgeous landscape of the Sacred Valley and travel in luxury!
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
- Huayna Picchu Mountain: $75 USD
- Hotel single supplement: $90 USD per night (for solo travellers with single room)
- Upgrade to 5 star hotels available on request
- Return Hiram Bingham Train upgrade: $430 USD per person
***Huayna Picchu is an optional trek within Machu Picchu Citadel which does not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like the extra hike to be guided, please request in advance. There is an extra cost for this extra guided tour.
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 IN 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.
CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE?
Of course! During your 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 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.
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 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.
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!
ALTITUDE SICKNESS
In general, if you exercise 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 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.
TRAIN INFORMATION
Our package includes the Hiram Bingham from Cusco to Aguas Calientes and the 14:55 or 15:20 Vistadome train for the way from Aguas Calientes to Poroy or Ollantaytambo, then we drive you back to Cusco in our van, arriving 19:00 – 19:30. If you have an extra hike up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, we will buy the later Vistadome train at 15:20 or 16:22.
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 that incorporates universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our local staff to know and understand, respect the places and the local 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
- Extra money for lunch, snacks and souvenirs
- Original passport (cannot enter Machu Picchu without it)
- Swimsuit for the hot springs (optional)
