Machu Picchu by Train (1 day) 2012

Price per Person: US$ 250

In order to plan your trip to Machu Picchu you have to understand a little about the geography of the area. Machu Picchu lay hidden from the world for such a long time because its location is fairly remote and inaccessible. Machu Picchu is located high up on a mountainside. The nearest town is Aguas Calientes which is located down in the valley beside the Vilcanota River. Aguas Calientes is only a couple of kilometres away from Machu Picchu as the crow flies but it takes a bus about 20 minutes to climb the narrow, steep zigzagging dirt track that connects the two.

During the peak months of May to September all of the train tickets can be sold out several days in advance. If you are on a tight schedule it is absolutely essential that you make you train reservations as far in advance as possible. Do not wait until you arrive in Cusco to buy your train tickets.

Early Train Ride to Aguas Calientes & Guided Visit in Machu Picchu

Early in the morning, at 05:30hrs, transfer to the Train Station of San Pedro in Cusco. The train leaves at 06:00hrs towards Aguas Calientes, a modern little town close to the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. The train ride to Machu Picchu is one of the most beautiful journeys that visitors can experience in our country. The first 30 minutes the train makes its way up following a zig zag route ascending level by level to the upper part of the Cusco city, passing popular neighbourhoods and allowing travellers to enjoy a fantastic view of the sunrise over the Inca capital of Cusco. Afterwards the train starts to descend gradually to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, riding throughout lush fields and small villages. From this moment on, the trip offers great natural sceneries, with many staggering views for the Andes. After passing the village of Ollantaytambo, the train will start to descend more and more, riding along the edge of the Urubamba River, till finally reach the cloud forest. After approximately 4 hours we will have arrived in Aguas Calientes, where a representative from our agency will welcome you and then will escort you to the local bus station to catch the bus that goes up to the ruins of Machu Picchu. The bus ride to the sanctuary of Machu Picchu lasts around 25 minutes and it follows a steep winding path, offering spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.
Upon our arrival, we will get into the archaeological zone of Machu Picchu and our guide will show us the most important sectors of this great Inca City, such as the great Intiwatana (solar clock), the Sun Temple, the urban sector, the agricultural sector among others. Machu Picchu was long thought to be legendary. Then in 1911, the explorer Hiram Bingham stumbled upon it remains. Machu Picchu stands 2,430 m above sea-level, in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, in an extraordinarily beautiful setting. It was probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height; its giant walls, terraces and ramps seem as if they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments. The natural setting, on the eastern slopes of the Andes, encompasses the upper Amazon basin with its rich diversity of flora and fauna.
The guided tour in Machu Picchu will last about 2 hours, and afterwards you will have free time to explore the ruins on your own. At around 14:00hrs, we will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, where you will have time for lunch and also to explore this colourful town that utterly filled with souvenirs shops, restaurants, bars, internet cafes etc. Finally, at around 15:30hrs, we take the train back to the city of Cusco, arriving there after nightfall. End of the tour.

What is included on this day?

• Pick up from your hotel in Cusco.
• Expedition Train tickets to Aguas Calientes.
• Bus up/down to Machu Picchu.
• Entrance fee to Machu Picchu.
• English speaking guide.
• Expedition Train tickets back to Cusco
• Transfer to your hotel.

What is not included?

• Meals.
• Extras & Gratuities.
• Daily Departures Time:
• 5:30am

Tour Duration:

• From 05:30am to 21:00pm
• Additional Information:
• All your personal information is required at the moment of your booking.
• Comfirmation of the excurtion will be received at the time of booking.

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