Machu Picchu ''Wonder of the wolrd''

Machu Picchu (Quechua: Machu Pikchu, "Old Peak", pronounced [ˈmɑtʃu ˈpiktʃu]) is a pre-Columbian Inca site located 2,430 metres (8,000 ft) above sea level[1]. It is situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, which is 80 kilometres (50 mi) northwest of Cuzco and through which the Urubamba River flows. Often referred to as "The Lost City of the Incas", Machu Picchu is one of the most familiar symbols of the Inca Empire.

The Incas started building it around AD 1430 but was abandoned as an official site for the Inca rulers a hundred years later at the time of the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire. Although known locally, it was largely unknown to the outside world before being brought to international attention in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, an American historian. Since then, Machu Picchu has become an important tourist attraction.

Machu Picchu was declared a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary in 1981 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Since it was not plundered by the Spanish when they conquered the Incas, it is especially important as a cultural site and is considered a sacred place.

Machu Picchu was built in the classical Inca style, with polished dry-stone walls. Its primary buildings are the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows. These are located in what is known by archaeologists as the Sacred District of Machu Picchu. In September 2007, Peru and Yale University reached an agreement regarding the return of artifacts which Hiram Bingham had removed from Machu Picchu in the early twentieth century.

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Tour Description:

2 Day Tour Machu Picchu by train;

This trip takes you on one of the most incredible train journeys in the world to reach a magnificent site - Machu Picchu!!

The route zigzags up to the highest point of the railway (3668m/12033ft) and continues through typical Andean regions down to the tropical area of Machu Picchu located at 2400m/7873ft above sea level.

See and enjoy more...!

Itinerary:

Day 1:

Your Guide will pick you up at 5.45 (to be confirmed) am and take you to the train station - the train leaves at 6.15am. After a 4-hour journey of majestic views you arrive at Aguas Calientes (Hot Springs Town) where you will spend the night. There will be plenty of time to relax if you want to have a hot bath in the natural springs!!!

Things to do:

• Visit the Machu Picchu ‘Manuel Chávez Ballón’ museum and orchid exhibition ($5 or 20 soles). This is open from 9am to 4.30pm and is a 35 minute walk down the road to Puente Ruinas. It is a very illustrative museum that gives an interesting introduction to Machu Picchu. (It’s worth it!)
• You could go to the thermal baths – these cost 10 soles. There are lockers that you can use to store your belongings (1 sol).

Day 2:

After breakfast your Guide will get you on the first bus (6.00am) up to Machu Picchu. You will have a guided tour (approximately 3-4 hours) and then plenty of time to explore the mysterious city by yourself.

Things to do:

• You can climb Huayna Picchu (the mountain behind Machu Picchu). It takes 45 minutes to reach the top and the view from the top over Machu Picchu is worth it. (There is a limit of 400 people who are permitted to climb this, so if you want to do it, it is good to go immediately after your tour.) From the top of this mountain you can also walk down to the Moon Temple (a cave). It takes 45 more minutes to get there and from there, a further hour walk to get back to Machu Picchu itself.
• Walk up to the Sun Gate (45 minutes to 1 hour).
• Walk to the Inca Bridge (40 minutes).

You will take the bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes in order to catch the train back to Cusco. The train leaves at 4pm (to be confirmed) and we will arrive back in Cusco at about 7.30pm. At the Cusco train station you will be picked up and taken to your hotel.

Includes:

• Tour Guide
• Collection from hotel and train station
• Return train transportation (tourist train)
• Accommodation* in Aguas Calientes (includes private bathroom, 24-hour hot water and breakfast) 
• Bus up to Machu Pichu and down to Aguas Calientes
• 2 hours Private Tour of Machu Picchu.
• Entrance fee to the Sanctuary

What you need to take:

• Warm clothes/waterproof jacket (depending on season)
• Sun protection cream (depends on season)
• Insect repellent

Facts of Machu Picchu:

• Built in the first half of the 15th century by Inca Pachacutec (´'The Earth Maker')
• Altitude: 2400 metres/7873 feet (at the Holy Square )
• Altitude of Aguas Calientes Town: 2012m/6600ft
• Distance from Cusco: 112 km
• Weather: dry from May to October and wet from November to April

IMPORTANT: In the case that trains only go to/from Ollantaytambo (a small town 1 and a half hours from Cusco) to Machu Picchu, Llama Path will organize your transport to/from Cusco at no extra cost.


Train time tables are subject to chance depending on availability due to pick seasons and time of bookings (May to October is reccomended very well in advance).

N.B. Also, one day round-trips to Machu Picchu are available. For more information on day trips, pool (economic) services and train classes please contact us.

Prices***:

 1 person USA$ 295

  2 people:   USA$ 265 each

  3 people:  USA$ 255 per person.

  4 people:  USA$ 250 each

  5 to 6 people:  USA$ 240 each.

*If desired train can be upgraded to VISTA DOME (plus $70 round trip).

***Price includes a Private Guide for a 2 hours tour of Machu Picchu.

• There’s a $20 discount if you have a valid ISIC card.