Trip introduction
This trekking is a new alternative to get to know the stone quarry or also called cachicata in the town of Ollantaytambo which also has a Puerta del Sol that is oriented towards the snowy Veronica, and continue our journey by train until km 104 to start the Inca trail that will take us to the lost city of the Incas "Machu Picchu". In this tour we will not spend the nights in tents as it normally takes place in the classic Inca trail, we will have the opportunity to sleep in lodgings in the area and taste the cuisine in local restaurants in the valley.
Responsible Travel.
By booking this trip, you will be helping provide a special Christmas breakfast for low income children in Cusco.
Overview
A new option of the Inca Trail visiting the Puerta del Sol or Intipunku of the Sacred Valley and then taking the last section of the original Inca Trail that leads to Machu Picchu and having the option of enjoying the view of this magical citadel built over 500 years ago and which is still intact today.
**** This tour gives us the opportunity to visit the Puerta del Sol located in the Sacred Valley with a view of the snow-capped Verónica and, in turn, the Puerta del Sol, which was the original entrance to the citadel of Machu Picchu.
Day 1: CUSCO – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CACHICATA – PUERTA DEL SOL – OLLANTAYTAMBO
Our guide together with our driver will go through your hotel at 8 in the morning to pick you up and start the trip to Ollantaytambo, the trip takes approximately 1 hour and a half, and in the place we will organize our backpacks to start the walk to the stone quarry of Cachicata that was the place where the cutting and polishing of rocks for the different buildings of the Inca cities began. We will continue our walk until we reach the Puerta del Sol, which will give us the option of a spectacular view of the snow-capped Veronica, whose more than 5,000 meters of height make it imposing in the Sacred Valley.
After an explanation about the history of this place by our guide, we will go down the path until we reach the town of Ollantaytambo again, where we will spend the night in a local lodging.
Ollantaytambo is a small town, but with a lot of history you can take the opportunity to walk and explore each of its streets, we are sure that you will like this place very much.
Day 2: OLLANTAYTAMBO – KM 104 – MACHU PICCHU - AGUAS CALIENTES
After breakfast at the hotel restaurant we will go to the train station to board the train that will take us in approximately 1 hour to km 104 where the short Inca trail begins, we will pass the control point and begin the ascent visiting First, Chachabamba and then the famous Wiñayhuayna whose architecture and location will amaze us. Then we will continue our walk making the last stretch of 4 km to the Puerta del Sol where we will be able to see the great Machu Picchu from afar.
To have the classic photo of the place we will continue our descent to the guardian's house where we can take the classic photos for the memory.
Finally we will board the bus that will take us to the town of Aguas Calientes where we will spend the night but not before having dinner to celebrate the success of our walk.
Day 3: MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO
Depending on the visiting hours of our entrance ticket, we will visit Machu Picchu together with our guide who will show us place by place, each of the enclosures of this place that is considered one of the new wonders of the modern world, our The tour will be approximately 2 to 3 hours depending on the pace of the group.
Then we will board the return bus to Aguas Calientes where you will have time to have lunch and finally take the train back to Ollantaytambo where our driver will be waiting for you to return to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.
WHAT IS INCLUDED FOR THIS TREK?
- Briefing at your Hotel one day before the trek an aproximatly 6:00pm
- Hotel pick up for leave the city and go to Ollantaytambo
- Private tourist transportation from Cusco / Ollantaytambo
- Professional English speaking guide
- Meals along the Trail ( 1 breakfast , 1 box lunch , 1 dinner (optional: vegetarian, celiatic option upon request)
- First-aid kit, including emergency oxygen tank
- Expedition Tourist train ticket Ollantaytambo / km 104 - Aguas Calientes / Ollantaytambo
- Expedition Tourist train ticket Aguas Calientes / Ollantaytambo
- Private transportation From Ollantaytambo / Cusco
- Permit to the short Inca Trail & Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu Archaeological Complex
- Two hours guided tour in Machu Picchuy
- Bus ticket Machu Picchu / Aguas Calientes – Aguas Calientes / Machu Picchu / Aguas Calientes
- night Hotel in Aguas Calientes
- 1 night hotel in Ollantaytambo
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED FOR THIS TREK?
- Huayna Picchu Mountain: + $75 USD – you have to book mínimum 3 months in advance
- Last lunch at Aguas Calientes. (You can choose different options at the towm)
- VISTADOME Train – + $67 USD per person
- Tips for the Guide
BENEFITS OF TRAVELING WITH TERRA PERU AVENTURAS
- Assistance 24/7 a week in English.
- Qualified professionals on all tours
- Professional Guides in English on all tours
- Free transfer from the airport to the hotel
EXTRAS
- Walking Poles – +$15 USD per pair per trek
**HuaynaPicchu is optional trek in Machu Picchu which do not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please read the following information carefully. This will help you resolve your doubts and/or questions about our services
ARRIVAL IN CUSCO
All our services start at the airport of the city of Cusco where our driver will be waiting for the arrival of your flight to be able to drive you to the hotel of your choice, this service has no additional cost.
For which it is necessary that you provide us with your flight details and confirmation 1 or 2 days before your arrival in the city, our staff will be waiting with the Terra Peru Aventuras sign which you have to locate.
THE BRIEFING
The briefing is the information that is provided to our clients prior to a trip, this will be done one night before the selected activity at the hotel of their stay. In general, the schedule will depend on the other activities that you have planned to carry out, but many times it usually takes place between 6 and 7 at night.
HOW CAN I BOOK THE NEW INCA TRAIL TOUR?
To start a reservation, the first thing we request is your personal data along with the details of the date you would like to do the walk or trip then we will request an advance payment of 40% of the total value of the walk in order to generate the purchase of the necessary tickets for the tour.
After the deposit, our reservation staff will send you the confirmation of the reservation of the Tour which will include the DATE, NAME OF THE TOUR, PERSONAL DATA OF THE CLIENT, AMOUNT DEPOSITED AND AMOUNT PENDING PAYABLE UPON ARRIVAL IN THE CITY.
Terra Peru Aventuras offers you different payment methods depending on your needs, from bank deposits, transfers via Wester Union, as well as PayPal (consider +8% to the deposit to be made for reasons of bank commissions)
WHEN DO I MAKE THE FINAL PAYMENT OF THE TOUR?
In general, the total payment must be made upon arrival, we recommend making the payment in cash, due to commission issues from international banks that may be unfavorable to you in case you want to make a payment with your credit card. Our staff gives you more details about it.
CAN I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER I HAVE PURCHASED THE TICKETS?
For all our tours with the exception of Machu Picchu, Inca Trail, Salkantay, yes! is possible to modify the date without any cost, this must be communicated to our staff as soon as possible in order to carry out the procedures for the modification with a new date.
WHAT HAPPENS WITH ALTITUDE SICKNESS?
Any good experience will depend on a good physical condition, if you practice any physical activity regularly you should not worry about a possible altitude sickness, however as an additional recommendation we suggest acclimatizing, in this sense you should consider spending at least 3 days to do some walk and 1 day to be able to carry out some activity or cultural tour.
There are medications that could achieve better acclimatization, but since we are not doctors, we suggest you drink plenty of water and coca infusions to achieve better acclimatization.
WHEN THE TOUR ENDS, DO YOU TAKE US TO THE HOTEL?
Everything will depend on the style of travel that you chose. Our clients who travel in a private service have the option of ending the tours at their hotel. However, those who opt for a group tour, our tour ends in the Plaza Regocijo or close to it so that you can walk without any worries to your hotel.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO BRING?
- Original passport (the same used for booking the trek)
- Good daypack or backpack
- Water storage: 2-3 L (Camelbaks are encouraged)
- Comfortable hiking boots
- Headlamp
- Toilet paper
- Good rain jacket and pants
- 2 t-shirts
- 2 hiking pants at least
- 4 sets of undergarments
- 3 sets of hiking socks
- Fleece/ Thermals
- Warm clothes, down jacket — 2nd campsite its the higher and temperture drop to 2 Celius
- degrees
- Sandals
- Quickdry towel
- Battery Charge
- Sleeping bag: It has to be at least -15ºC Hand sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Personal medications
- Personal First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Sun glasses