Day 1: Hiking to Machu Picchu
Your short Alpaca Expeditions Inca Trail tour to Machu Picchu starts with you being picked up from your hotel from 4 to 4:30 AM. Next, we’ll go to the train station and leave on the 6:40 a.m. train from Ollantaytambo. The trail follows the Urubamba River until we reach Km 104, where we’ll begin our trek. Along the way, you’ll see spectacular views of farmlands, snow-capped mountains, and the mighty Urubamba River.
After hiking for three hours we’ll reach the most beautiful Incan site on the Inca Trail Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young) at 2,600 m/8,500 ft. Few people get the opportunity to see these elaborate water fountains, temples and agricultural terraces.
A few minutes of walking from there and you’ll arrive at the Alpaca Expeditions campsite used by hikers who have chosen to do the Classic Inca Trail. Here you’ll be able to enjoy the hot homemade lunch that’s been freshly cooked by Alpaca Expeditions’ chefs. From Wiñay Wayna, we’ll walk to the Sun Gate.
After taking photos and exploring the area, we’ll take the bus down to Aguas Calientes and head to your hotel. After that, we’ll head to the restaurant for dinner (included). After dinner, we recommend going to bed early to make the most of the next day.
Day 2: Visit Machu Picchu “Lost City of the Incas” and return to Cusco
We’ll wake up early so that we can catch one of the first busses so that we can catch the striking sunrise at Machu Picchu. You’ll have a two-hour guided walking tour by your private English-speaking Alpaca Expeditions guide.
After that, you’ll have time to explore Machu Picchu by yourself. Those who have tickets to Huayna Picchu will have time to climb the mountain, which takes approximately an hour and a half return. After exploring you can either take a bus or walk down to Aguas Calientes for a free afternoon. You’ll need to remember to catch your train, which will depart that afternoon to Ollantaytambo.
Once you arrive at the station in Ollantaytambo we will be there to meet you and drive you back to Cusco and we will drop you off at your hotel.