An adventure filled tour through the Sacred Valley all the way to the Inca City of Machu Picchu. Visit the colorful market and archeological site of Pisac. After visiting the Ollantaytambo archeological site, the last refuge of the Incas after the Spanish Invasion, we mountain bike downhill for 42km. Explore small communities inhabited by the real descendants of Incas. This tour is both thrilling and informative.
3399 m.s.n.m
Up to 8
Group or private
Biking, Hiking
Moderate
3 days / 2 nights
The guide will be at your hotel lobby at 7am. Board the private van where we will drive to a local farm. Have the opportunity to feed and pet breeds of alpacas, llamas and vicunas. See the local women weave beautiful and colorful garments with the wool from these precious animals. Discover their natural dyeing process with organic materials locally sourced.
On site there is a souvenir shop where you have the option of buying a wonderful selection of alpaca and vicuna clothing. What is great about the shop is that the local women who make the garmets are on hand to answer any questions that you may have. You should not feel pressure to purchase anything. Dont forget to get your certification of authenticity if you purchase from the shop.
Next stop at the Toray Mirador. Here you will get the best views of the valley below. Lush green vegetation and the Urubamba River curving its way through the valley are layed out before you below. At this time in the morning the lighting is perfect for taking the most wonderful photos of the Sacred Valley.
After we have taken all the photos we need, drive to the ancient Archeological site of Pisac. Here you can learn about the Inca and their farming practices. See how they used the different levels of terraces with their different micro climates to their advantage when farming. See the living quarters and food storage warehouses on top of the hill where the Inca took advantage of the colder temperatures to preserve their food.
The biggest Inca cemetery is also located here, with thousands of niches wrapped around the mountain side adjacent to the archeological site. According to local legend, there are still human remains inside some of the gravesites.
Continue driving through the valley, passing many small towns. Stop at the biggest town in the Sacred Valley Urubamba for a delicious lunch. Usually the restuarant will feature a buffet, where food is in abundance. (Lunch is not included).
After filling our bellies, we head over to the Pre-Inca Salt Mines of Salineras. As you approach the salt mines be met by thousands of salt pans spread out before you. The locals have been mining salt for generations. They have full ownership and rights to the pans and they have passed down from one generation to the next. The small stream at the top fills up all the salt pans and once the water evaporates, they cultivate the salt to be sold for profit. Any salt bought from the vendors at the mines, directly supports this small local community.
Next, we visit another set of Inca Ruins. The ruins of Moray are a great example of how advanced the Incas were for that period. Even though they did not build initial structure, they did however see the opportunity to use this as a natural ¨greenhouse¨. Each layer has different temperatures, they used these different micro-climates to test the optimum growing conditions of their crops. They brought in different samples of soil from the Empire to achieve maximum results. The sun hits each level at different angles, making sun absorption different at every section, they also installed an intricate irrigation system. The locals were still using this for farming until it was reserved for tourism in the 70s.
Finally, we head to the bustling town of Ollantaytambo, a wonderful little town, that you can still see the influence of the Inca. Here you will catch the train to Machu Picchu and the world-famous Inca trail. We stop here to spend the night.
After breakfast tour the archaeological site of Ollantaytambo, the town has some remarkable channels and stone streets. In Ollantaytambo the last and greatest battle was fought, between the Inca and the Spanish conquistadors. Surprizingly the Inca won this battle, but later they retreated into the jungle, as they suffered great loses in the war and with the many diseases the Spanish bought to South America.
At the ruin you will see many boulders that have been carved ready to be placed. The theories are that they were ready to be placed but never made their final destination. The other story is that the war with the Spanish so intense that these giant boulders fell in battle. Later travel by van to the Patacancha Pass visiting communities and interact with the locals. Get briefed about cycling techniques, before starting your 3 hour adventure on your bike back to Ollantaytambo, which is 42km. From Ollantaytambo take the train to Aguas Calientes the town below Machu Picchu where you will spend the night.
After an early breakfast take the bus, for the thrilling tour of the world-renowned ruins of Machu Picchu. Once there, visit one of the most important energetic centers of the world: Machu Picchu. A guided tour of 2 hours will take us into the fascinating history of this mysterious and charming place. After that, there is a possibly of climbing Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain if you have booked in advance. Then we will head back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch. Later in the afternoon, we will return by train to Ollantaytambo or Poroy and then to Cusco, arriving at your hotel in the evening.
Any day that is best for you as long as we have a minimum of 2 trekkers
Student Discount: US$20 (Requires “ISIC” Card to qualify)
Under 18’s Discount: US$20
Under 10’s Discount: US$30
OPTIONAL UPGRADES: Hotel and Train… VISTADOME Train to Cusco instead of Expedition Train, Please add US$67 per person
Group Discount or free Sacred valley Tour
If there are at least 6 people in your group, you will automatically get either: $30 per person group discount or a free Sacred Valley tour. This discount or free tour is valid for the following adventure trips: Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Salkantay trek, Choquekirao to Machu Picchu trek, Lares trek & Inca Jungle Trail to Machu Pichcu. etc.
Please note that this discount does not apply to private treks or any other trek not mentioned here.
“Please read the following information carefully; it will help clarify most uncertainties and questions about our services and the treks to Machu Picchu”
You will be met on arrival at the airport in Cusco, please ensure that you send us your full flight details at least 14 days prior to the start of your trek. Look out for our representative holding an orange board with INCA TRAIL HIKE at the arrivals terminal.
Any day that is best for you as long as we have a minimum of 2 trekkers.
Small Groups from 2 – 8 people, a small group provide for a more personalized experience, where the pace is set by you the trekker.
NOTE: Big groups can be organized on request.
It will take place the night before the trekking departure at 6pm in our office which is located at Garcilaso Street 210 , Office Nº:213 (2nd Floor) in the la CASA DEL ABUELO.
For treks that include accommodation at Aguas Calientes, we stay at a 3* “Ferre Hotel ”. In comparison to other companies, we will not be staying in basic shared rooms or sharing showers. Our hotels depend on availability.
However, if you would like to upgrade your hotel, let us know your preference and we will upgrade it for you at an additonal fee.
If you are thinking of climbing Huayna Picchu mountain you must book this at the same time as your trek or tour to Machu Picchu. Only 200 people can hike Huayna Picchu per day. The climb is not guided, if you want to guide please require prior to tour, there will be an extra fee to be payed.
Note: For Inca Trail trek hikers, Huayna Picchu mountain entrance tickets cost US$75 per person and it has to be booked in advance.
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 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:
SECOND, we require a deposit ofUS$200.00 per person in order to purchase 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 our booking page.
They are multi- lingual they speak English fluently, Spanish and Quechua (the indeginous language of Peru). They are all able to communicate with natives from around the area and of course they will have lots of history to share with you.
Some the customs and way of life may be different to what you are accustomed to in your own country. Local food can be different, but there are several retaurants that offer foods that are considered international. Culture shock should be expected, as in any other country you might visit around the world outside of your birth country. Peruvian people are warm and welcoming, for someone who speaks very little to no Spanish, this shouldn´t concern you. Cusco is an extremely touristy city, there is always an odd person around to help with translation and they are pretty patient and handy at sign language.
Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travelers may drink more than others while other travelers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to how much money to bring, allow for drinks, shopping, participating in optional activities and tipping.
If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is always appreciated. While it may not be customary in your country, it’s of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, it inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many INCA TRAIL HIKE destinations. Of course you are free to tip as much as your budget will allow, depending on your perception on the quality of service and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
The evening before you start your trek, you will be given a SMALL DUFFLE BAG to pack your clothes. Your weight allowance is 7kg/15p max. While you hike, the bulk of your luggage will be stored at your hotel or offices in Cuzco.
The Mountain Bike Tour to Machu Picchu is certainly not easy but you do not need to be an athlete or a trekking expert to complete it. Fitness is naturally important but the Inca Trail is the kind of trek that anyone with a positive attitude and determination can do. Obviously the more fit you are the more you will enjoy the trail and the more chance you will have to take in the scenery and appreciate the Inca ruins along the way. If you do not exercise regularly, it is advisable to do some extra walking or joining a gym in the months leading up to your trip.
Local sustainable & responsible tourism operator we incorporate the universal principle of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities respecting their culture and religion. To this end, we have trained all our local staff that know, understand, feel and respect the place and the people.
Yes, we treat our hikers, our porters and all the local people from the villages with the utmost respect. Travel in small groups to give personalized tours to each traveler, we pay good salaries to our porters and follow all the laws stipulated by Peruvian government in relation to all porters. We provide all our porters with their hiking gear such as shoes, pants, jackets, t-shirts, hats, sleeping bags and most importantly, with health insurance.
During the Mountain Bike Tour to Machu Picchu your main luggage will be stored in Cuzco and you will receive a small duffle bag at your briefing (briefings are normally set for the evening before you start the trek). Your team of porters will carry these bags together with the food and equipment for the trail. Please note that you will not have access to these items until the end of each day.
