Private Guide Machu Picchu

Day 1:

Private Tour guide.

After a morning Flight, you will be picked-up for a tour of the city.

The city of Cusco and Saqsaywaman (half day)
We begin with a visit to the cathedral, which was built between 1560 and 1654 on the site of the palace of the Inca Wiracocha. Its main altar is completely covered in silver, and the church contains many fine paintings from the Cusco School of religious art. From the cathedral we move on to Qoricancha, the Inca Temple of the Sun, where we see some of the finest remaining examples of Inca stonemasonry. From the city we will go on to explore the Inca remains in the hills around Cusco. The Saqsaywaman Archaeological Park is home to the great fortress temple of Saqsaywaman itself, as well as the ritual baths of Tambomachay, the temple site of Qenqo and the fortified construction known as Puka Pukara.   In the evening you will have the opportunity to enjoy Cusco’s fine Novo Andean cuisine – based on traditional local ingredients and international gourmet techniques – and a show featuring Andean music or dance.

Day 2: Private Guided tour in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, (full day) Pisaq market

Today will be spent in the Urubamba Valley – also known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Apart from the valley’s breathtaking scenery – with fertile slopes surrounded by towering peaks – the main attractions include ancient ruins, colonial villages and traditional markets. The quiet village of Pisaq is home to a colourful market and high above the village stand the ruins of the Inca ceremonial and fortress site of the same name.

Day 3: Inca Trail to Machupicchu

A complete network of interconnecting roads linked Cusco to its provinces and other kingdoms and the Inca Trail to Machupicchu was part of that system. Today it has become the most famous and popular trek in South America due to the variety of attractions it offers.
This spectacular trail runs from high mountains down to cloud forest, passing through a number of diverse ecological zones filled with an enormous variety of plants and birdlife. The route is also studded with archaeological sites which lead the visitor to the lost city of the Incas; Machupicchu.

DAY 1: CUSCO TO KM 82 (with a private bus) – KM 82 TO WAYLLABAMBA

Private guide will Pick you up from your hotel is very early in the morning (5:30 am). Once we’ve left Cusco by private bus we’ll drive through the famous Sacred Valley (Chinchero, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo) and will arrive after about 2 ½ hours at “km 82” that is the start of the trail. On our way from Cusco to km 82 our bus usually stops for around 30 minutes in Ollantaytambo in order to give our customers the opportunity to have breakfast or to buy something else (snacks, drinks etc.). Having arrived at km 82 at around 09:00 am you are going to cross the Urubamba river and follow the left bank of the river for about 1 ½ hours. The first little climb will be to Wilka Rakay; from here there is a spectacular view of the Inca site Patallapta and the Kusichaca Valley. The subsequent descent down to Kusichaca river is very simple. On the way to our first camp side there are great views of the Urubamba mountain range with the snow-capped Peak Veronica (5’750 m, Wakay Wilka). We’ll follow Kusichaca Valley for approximately 7km up to Wayllabamba (3’000 m), where we will spend our first night.

Trekking distance: 12km
Estimated time: 6-7 approx.
Maximum altitude: 3000m
Campsite altitude: 3000m
DAY 2: WAYLLABAMBA TO PACAYMAYU

After an energetic breakfast we will start climbing up for about 1 hour to Tres Piedras (The Three Stones). A little farther we will enter into the beautiful cloud forest. After having trekked for around 2 hours through spectacular vegetation we will reach the tree lines and Llulluchapampa at 3’800m. Here we will stop to have a short break with some tea or coffee and some sandwiches to regain your strengths. You’ll need them for the next 1 ½ hours of hiking that will bring us to the highest point of the Inca Trail – Abra de Warmihuñusca or dead woman pass (4’215m). Predominant flora of this part of the trail is the vast grassy land that you’ll cross when getting closer to the pass. Once we have reached the summit of the pass, we’ll celebrate all together for having completed the most difficult part of Inca Trail. The following 2 hours descent will bring us to the base camp in Pacaymayo (3’600m) where we will spent the second night.

Trekking distance: 12km
Estimated time: 6-7 hours approx.
Maximum altitude: 4215m
Campsite altitude: 3600m
DAY 3: PACAYMAYU TO WIÑAYHUAYNA

The third day starts with a 40 minutes hike from Pacaymayo to Runkurakay. These small ruins occupy a commanding position overlooking Pacaymayo valley and offering a very nice view. Another 45 minutes hike will bring you to the top of the second pass, Abra Runkurakay (3’950m). The descent down to Sayacmarka (3’500m) takes around 1 hour. From here the trail descends into the magnificent cloud forest full of orchids, hanging moss, ferns and native flowers. It takes 30 minutes passing by the small Inca site Conchamarka and then reaching Chaquicocha (3’550m), where we will have lunch. On the way to Phuyupatamarka pass (3’700 m) we will follow for approximately 1 ½ hours a paved stones road that also leads us through an Inca tunnel carved into the rocks. From the top of the pass we have a spectacular view of the snow-capped peaks Salcantay (6‘271m), Veronica (5’750m) and also of Machu Picchu mountain. The descent to the last camp site Wiñayhuyna (2’650m), close to Machu Picchu will take us around 2 ½ hours.

Trekking distance: 15km
Estimated time: 8-9 hours approx.
Maximum altitude: 3950m
Campsite altitude: 2650m
DAY 4: WIÑAYHUAYNA TO MACHUPICCHU

On the fourth day we will wake you up very early (at 4:00 am) to have breakfast and to be able start our hike to Machu Picchu at 5:30 am. Like this we’ll be in Machu Picchu for the sunrise. From Wiñayhuyna it will take us around 1 hour to get the sun gate (Inti Punku at 2’720m). From here you will see magnificent Machu Picchu for the first time. It is another 40 minutes walk down to Machu Picchu and to get to the classical viewpoint. From here we’ll be able to overlook and admire the entire Machu Picchu complex. This is also the spot where you’ll be able to take the classical post card picture with its terrific view of Machu Picchu. Now we have to descend to the main entrance to leave our backpack in the deposit (10 minutes). We will then return to the Inca site to start the guided tour of Machu Picchu with your guide. The tour takes approximately 2 hours. After that you will have free time to explore the site on your own again. Once you feel that you have seen every corner of Machu Picchu you will take a bus down to the village of Aguas Calientes to have lunch. Usually we take the bus at around 13:00 pm. The bus ride takes around 25 minutes and your guides will give you the ticket. Make sure that, before you leave Machu Picchu by bus, the guides give you time and location of the restaurant where the group meets in Aguas Calientes. You will get your train tickets back to Cusco.

Trekking distance: 6km
Estimated time: 2 hours
Maximum altitude: 2720m
Machu Picchu altitude: 2400m

Day 7: Private Transfer to airport