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Details of the Trip
ITINERARY
DAY 1: CUSCO – OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTE – MACHU PICCHU
Today is the day, Machu Picchu! We pick you up at your hotel 4:00am, then drive in our private van to Ollantaytambo Train Station to leave on the 6:10am Expedition train. (If you prefer to begin in Ollantaytambo, we will pick you up at your hotel 5:20 – 5:30am). Your train departs Ollantaytambo at 6:10am and immediately enters the narrow Vilcanota River canyon. The steep canyon walls on each side are covered with lush sub-tropical jungle. Look carefully for the Inca terraces across the river, some of which are still farmed today!
Arriving in Aguas Calientes, the guide will meet you at the train station. Then you will have a little time to buy a snack before you take the shuttle up to Machu Picchu. It is a truly mystical site and not something you’ll ever see anywhere else in the world! Your guide will give you a tour, which takes about two hours. See most of the important parts of Machu Picchu Citadel. Learn about how Machu Picchu is divided into three sectors: agricultural, residential and religious.
When you have had your fill of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on your train departure time, you may also have time for some shopping, sightseeing or a visit to the museum or hot springs.
The Expedition train will take you back to Ollantaytambo at 3:20pm, 4:22pm, 4:43pm or 6:20pm, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections of whitewater. You can also see Wiñay Wayna from the train, if you look up high on the steep canyon wall! Back at Ollantaytambo, the driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You can expect to arrive at the hotel by between 7:00pm to 10pm depending on your return train schedule.
- Hiking up to the Sun Gate and Inca Bridge its available since JUNE 1st, 2024 and the price for any of this option will be US$55 per person.
- Hiking Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mt. is also not possible due to the time restraints of the one-day tour.
- Return Expedition Train time depends on availability and how much in advance you have booked.
- Our day trip package include circuit 2A or Circuit 2B (If the tickets are available, for it, please book in advance).
EXPEDITION TRAIN
he Expedition service is a train designed for traveller’s comfort, with four passenger seats located facing each other, so you can share your experience with each other. For faithful backpackers, they offer racks placed above the seats for your backpacks. This train has panoramic windows, air conditioning, heating, snacks, and Andean music that creates a cheerful atmosphere.
Expedition service departs from Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, located 2 hours away from Cusco. You take our private van from Cusco to meet the train in Ollantaytambo and when you return from Aguas Calientes you meet your private van to return to Cusco and your hotel.
***Our standard tours and treks includes the EXPEDITION TRAIN which runs from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calienets and back to Ollantaytambo.
SCHEDULE FOR MACHU PICCHU TOUR
Enjoy Machu Picchu Tour in 1 Day with SAM Travel Peru, in a small group of up to 8 people!
- At 4:00am; transfer from your hotel in Cusco to the Train Station at Ollantaytambo. (Train leaves at 6:10 am)
- The train ride gives you spectacular views along the Vilcanota River.
- Upon arrival at 7:30am, your guide will meet you at the train station and go with you on the shuttle bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, about a 30 minutes ride.
- Your guide will give you a guided tour of most of the places of Machu Picchu Citadel , which lasts around 3 hours and then you have some free time for taking photos.
- Between noon and 1pm, you will take the shuttle back to Aguas Calientes town in time to enjoy lunch.
- At 3:20, 4:22, 4:43 or 6:20pm, you will return by Expedition Train to Ollantaytambo and transfer back to Cusco by van.
- You will arrive at your hotel in Cusco approximately at 7:00pm or later depending on your return train schedule.
***Return Expedition Train time depends on availability and how much in advance you have booked.
***Hiking Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mt. is not possible with the time restraints of a one-day tour.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
Included
Transfer at 4:00am from your hotel to Ollantaytambo by private van
- Expedition train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
- Round-trip bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (30mins)
- Admission ticket for the Machu Picchu Citadel – Circuit 2A or Circuit 2B, depending on availability.
- Guided tour in English about 2 hours – with free time for photos
- Small group from 2 to 8 people with an experienced guide fluent in English
- Expedition train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, then transfer to your hotel in Cusco
Not Included
- Hiking Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mt. is not possible due to the time restraints of a one-day tour.
- Drinks
- Meals
- Tips for your guide
PRICES
- $367 USD per person
The Machu Picchu Tour is available on any date that is best for you, as long as we have a minimum of 2 guests!
***Private service is available for $40 USD more per person.
***All entrance fees are included and we operate our tours in small groups averaging 5 people 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 for booking & 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.
WHY CHOOSE SAM TRAVEL?
SAM Travel Peru is a family owned travel agency and a local tour operator based in Cusco with personal experience over many years of trekking. SAM Travel Peru is a 100% Cusqueñian Company without any shareholders.
Our dream as a locally based company is to create small personalized tours & treks strictly and only operated by local professional staff catering in PERSONALIZED and HIGH QUALITY SERVICE.
We take pride in our reputation as a RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE tour operator. Our staff are our extended family. We ensure they are supported financially by offering them a fair salary. We are proud of our team without them , we wouldn’t be able to offer the best service and lifetime experiences to our clients.
SAM Travel Peru knows how important it is to trust in a reliable honest operator to create your adventure of a lifetime while in Peru. Check out our reviews and certificates of excellence on, TRIPADVISOR for yourself! Also we are highly recommended on Conde Nast Travelers, Lonely Planet and by many blogs like: “It’s the journey, not the destination…”, Lares Pass – Day 3, Trekking in the Sacred Valley.
SMALL GROUPS
To ensure a more personalized service for our guests, at SAM Travel Peru we have a policy that our groups will not exceed 8 people. This fact alone sets us apart from other companies that operate departures with bigger groups.
OUR TOP TOUR GUIDES
We are so proud of our guides! They are highly professional and speak fluent English. They are very knowledgeable and passionate for Inca heritage and history. Our guides are dedicated to continuous personal and professional development. They do research to ensure that you receive accurate and recognized theories in Inca and Andean culture. Our crew is fun loving, great sports and well-educated. They all hold degrees in one of the following: Archeology, Tourism, Botany, History or Anthropology.
OUR SERVICE PROJECTS
SAM Travel Peru has always believed that we should give back to the communities we pass through on our treks. Therefore, as part of our commitment in responsible tourism, we socially support and employee from these communities.
SAM Travel Peru is proud to be able to support these beautiful people, not only in hiring them for work but to bring things back to our own grassroots, building connections with their families. This makes us happy to have a holistic approach with our highland employees and their families!
A beautiful reflection of our attitude in everything we do, is that we wish to make life richer and more meaningful for all involved.
IMPORTANT INFO
Please read carefully the following information; it will help you answer all of your questions about our services and tour.
WELCOME 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 arrival. Look out for our representative holding an orange SAM Travel Peru board 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 207 (second floor) in the La CASA DEL ABUELO shopping center.
CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE?
Of course! During the Machu Picchu Tour your main luggage can be store at our office or at your hotel, whichever is more convenient for you. Please do not pack anything you will need for your hike.
HOW TO BOOK THE MACHU PICCHU TOUR:
FIRST, to book your 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 US$211.00 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.
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 Machu Picchu Tour, the deposit is not refundable at all!
DO I NEED MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT FOR THE MACHU PICCHU TOUR?
Yes for sure! 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. The rangers will check when you enter Machu Picchu. The train company will also check your passport before allowing you to board the train.
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 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. They are very strict about this here!!
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE IN THE MACHU PICCHU TOUR?
The weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee. We recommend you to bring a warm jacket for early morning and rain poncho in case of a rain shower.
ARE WE DROPPED AT OUR HOTEL AFTER THE MACHU PICCHU 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 will 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 its people.
PACKING LIST
WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING?
- A small daypack with water to drink
- Snacks if you like
- Comfortable shoes or runners
- Camera
- Rain jacket or poncho
- A fleece or jacket,
- Basic toiletries
- Hat for the sun,
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent.
- Passport (you cannot board the train or enter Machu Picchu without your passport)
- Student ID card if appropriate.
- Money for souvenirs and tips
