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Ollanta Trek with Machu PicchuRoute: Cuzco - Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu - Cuzco vvEnjoy the spectacular natural surroundings of the Sacred Valley and experience the local way of life with this short Trek Peru module. During this Peru trip, you’ll go on a one day trek in the countryside around Ollantaytambo and visit Machu Picchu independently. Our Andean trekking module offers a short alternative to the busy and more expensive Inca Trail, without skipping Peru's star attraction. From Cuzco, you’ll travel to Ollantaytambo to explore the Sacred Valley on foot. The next day you’ll take the train to Machu Picchu where you can spend the day wandering among the ancient ruins of the Lost City. After a night in the nearby town of Aguas Calientes, you’ll travel back to Cuzco. If you'd like to see the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu without any trekking, take a look at our Machu Picchu by train tour or, to explore the valley at your own pace, check out our Sacred Valley tour. |
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3 days / 2 nights departure daily April - October, other months on request |
Accommodation |
Double room with shower/toilet, breakfast included (browse our photos here). |
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Price |
£335 per person - based on 2 people sharing |
Includes |
Transfer to Ollantaytambo, accommodation as described, guide during trek, 1x picnic lunch, train to and from Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu entrance fee. |
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Transport |
Minibus and expedition train |
Excludes |
Return bus from Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu, guide at Machu Picchu, other meals |
Day 1: Cuzco - OllantaytamboEarly in the morning of your Trek Peru module, you’ll take the minibus to Ollantaytambo, a historic Inca village in the heart of the Sacred Valley. This village once guarded the road to Machu Picchu and the first Inca, Manco Capac retreated to Ollanta after his defeat at Sacsayhuaman. The village is still very authentic and unspoilt by tourism, even though it boasts one of the best examples of Inca architecture in the country. The original Inca layout of the village has remained largely intact. Today, you’ll go on a guided trek through the Sacred Valley. It’s a challenging climb through the beautiful valleys. On the way, you’ll pass several small communities and get a good idea of traditional life in the valley.Arriving back in Ollantaytambo later that afternoon, there’s time to explore the village. There are a couple of restaurants, a bar, a small museum and a market square. Your hotel is very basic but it’s well maintained, there’s a lovely flower garden and you’re conveniently close to the train station and the plaza. If you’d prefer a bit more luxury at this stage of your Peru trek, we can upgrade you to a comfort hotel. Please let us know on your request form if you’re interested. |
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Day 2: Ollantaytambo - Aguas CalientesOn day two of your Peru trek, you’ll need to be up early to take the train to Machu Picchu. After about 1 ½ hours chugging up into the mountains you’ll arrive at Aguas Calientes, a small touristy but lively town close to the ruins. Everyone on their way to or from Machu Picchu needs to pass through this town which means there’s a constant flow of travellers, buses and trains. In Aguas Calientes, take the bus up to the entrance of Machu Picchu where you can spend the rest of the day exploring ruins. Instead of taking the bus you can also reach Machu Picchu on foot from Aguas Calientes. Leave your bags at the entrance and step through the gates into the lost city of the Incas to see The Temple of the Condor, the Sun Temple, the Royal Palace and the living quarters. The architecture and structures of the complex are simply astonishing and show how sophisticated the Incas really were for their time. |
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Whatever happened here and whatever turned the city into a deserted ruin, we’ll probably never know. Fact is that the Spaniards never found the city during their conquest of the Latin American continent and, it wasn’t until 1911 when archaeologist Hiram Bingham stumbled upon the ruins completely by accident, that Machu Picchu was finally revealed to the outside world. This is sure to be a highlight of your Peru trip and you’ll have the whole day of your Andean trekking module to wander among the endless network of basalt walls. When you’re done, pick up your bags at the entrance, where you’ll find the buses waiting to take you back to Aguas Calientes. It’s a lively place swarming with excited travellers. Take a look around the souvenirs along the railway lines or take a relaxing dip in the hot springs 700m outside of town. There are plenty of restaurants along the railway tracks, so you’ll have no problem finding a good place to eat this evening. |
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Day 3 Aguas Calientes - CuzcoAfter a tasty breakfast on the third day of this Peru trip, you’ve got the rest of the day to explore Aguas Calientes depending on what time your train back to Cuzco leaves. Look around the souvenir market, visit the hot springs or take a walk through the hills around the town. Don’t worry about missing your train, you can hear it coming from miles away. Once you’ve boarded the train, sit back and enjoy the view across the mountains and the Urubamba river. Get off the train at Poroy and take a taxi back to the centre of Cuzco. It’s probably quite late by the time you arrive in Cuzco, so it’s a good idea to book your hotel in advance.From Cuzco you can fly back to Lima at the end of your Andean trekking adventure or continue your Peru trip east where the tropical jungle of the Amazon jungle lodge awaits you. |
What to bring on your Peru trek:
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Trek Peru - Accommodation (Click to enlarge)
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