Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu
2 Days / 1 Night
Lagoon
Bridge
Archaeological Site
Lagoon
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Peak Elevation :
4,300 m / 14,107 ft
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Low Altitude:
2,040 m / 6,690 ft
Overall Difficulty:
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Itinerary
Please note that all distances and elevations are approximate. Trek times are estimated; various factors -- such as weather conditions, individual fitness levels, and how each trekker manages at altitude -- may affect the time it takes to reach each point.
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PRE-DEPARTURE BRIEFING
The evening before your trek, you will meet with your tour guide at your hotel. Your guide will give you an overview of your trek to help you prepare and pace yourself for the physical and mental challenges that lie ahead. You'll have the opportunity to ask any questions or raise any concerns you may have regarding the trek. Your guide can advise you on where you may rent or purchase last-minute supplies. Your pick up time will be confirmed.
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DAY ONE
Cusco | Tauca | Tauca Pass | Huchuy Qosqo Archaeological Complex | Lamay | Ollantaytambo | Aguas Calientes
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You will be picked-up at your hotel around 6 am; an earlier pick-up time will depend on your location and any additional passenger pick-ups. You will travel in a private vehicle to Tauca, a town close to Chinchero (about 1 hour from the city center). From here, you will begin your trek. It will be a 3 hour gradual climb to Tauca Pass where you'll have a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains. From there, you'll descend gently for 2 hours along a zig-zagged path to the Huchuy Qosqo Archaeological Complex overlooking the Sacred Valley. You'll break for a boxed lunch, then go on a brief guided tour of the site. Afterwards, you'll continue to descend steeply for about 2 hours to the town of Lamay. From here, you'll go by private transport to Ollantaytambo, approximately 1 hour. You'll then catch your train to Aguas Calientes. Just a short walk from the train station, you'll check into your hotel. You'll have some free time before you meet up with your guide at 7 pm to enjoy a fabulous dinner. Dulces sueños.
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DAY ONE OVERVIEW
Hours of Trekking
7
Elevations for the Day
Cusco - 3,400 m / 11,150 ft
Tauca - 3,750 m / 12,305 ft
Tauca Pass - 4,300 m / 14,105 ft highest
Huchuy Qosqo Archaeological Complex - 3,500 m / 11,480 ft
Lamay - 2,940 m / 9,645 ft
Ollantaytambo - 2,790 m / 9,150 ft
Aguas Calientes - 2,040 m / 6,690 ft lowest
Meals Served
Boxed Lunch / Dinner at a Restaurant
Accommodations
★★★ Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Notes
- You'll be doing quite a lot of trekking on this first day, but you'll probably be too distracted by the beautiful views to even notice.
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- There will be some steep downhill passes, so please be sure to watch where you step!
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DAY TWO
Aguas Calientes | Machu Picchu Citadel | Ollantaytambo | Cusco
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You should be up by 4:45 to have breakfast at the hotel and meet up with your guide to catch the early bus to Machu Picchu at 5:30. You'll have a 2-3 hour guided tour of the archaeological complex. Afterwards, if you had already pre-purchased a ticket, you may proceed to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain.
> click for more information <
You will then take the bus back down to Aquas Calientes, grab lunch on your own, retrieve your gear at the hotel, and wait for your return train to Ollantaytambo. Private transport will await you there to take you back to your hotel in Cusco. Thank you!
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DAY 2 OVERVIEW
Hours of Trekking
2-3 hour guided walking tour at Machu Picchu Citadel
Elevations for the Day
Aguas Calientes - 2,040 m / 6,690 ft lowest
Machu Picchu Citadel - 2,400 m / 7,875 ft
[optional: Huayna Picchu Mountain - 2,720 m / 8,925 ft]
[optional: Machu Picchu Mountain - 3,082 m / 10,110 ft]
Ollantaytambo - 2,790 m / 9,150 ft
Cusco - 3,400 m / 11,150 ft highest
Meals Served
Breakfast at hotel
Accommodations
Final Day - No Overnight Accommodations
Notes
- Machu Picchu!
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-You'll only be permitted to carry a small daypack no larger than 20 liters into the citadel. The rest of your gear may be placed in storage at the hotel. You may also rent a locker for S/5 (US $1.50) by the entrance of Machu Picchu.
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- Trekking poles are allowed inside the citadel only under special circumstances.
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- After your guided tour, you'll have several hours to explore the citadel, grab lunch and walk around town on your own before you head back to Cusco via train and private transport.
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Price
prices per person in USD
Group of 2: $695*
Group of 3: $645
Group of 4: $595
Group of 5: $545
Solo traveler: $1,375
please inquire about pricing for larger groups
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Our prices include these upgrades
- a ride on PeruRail's Vistadome train with a panoramic view and live entertainment*
- dinner at a top Aguas Calientes restaurant
- accommodations at a highly-rated hotel on the final night
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*most tour operators include tourist-class train service and offer Vistadome as a $50-$75 add-on
What is Included
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TEAM SUPPORT
- Experienced, Professional Tour Guide
- Responsive, U.S.-Style Customer Service
SUPPORT STAFF
- Safe, Responsible Drivers
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TICKETS / ENTRY FEES
- Machu Picchu Ticket
- Entrance Fee to Huchuy Qosqo Archaeological Complex
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TRANSPORTATION
From hotel pick-up on Day 1 to hotel drop-off on Day 4:
- Private transport from your hotel in Cusco to Tauca
- Private transport from Tauca to Lamay
- Private transport for Lamay to Ollantaytambo
- PeruRail train tickets:
- Expedition from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
- Vistadome from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- This is a comfortable, upscale service with panoramic views (side and ceiling windows)
- Consettur bus tickets
- From Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
- From Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
- Private transport from Ollantaytambo back to your hotel in Cusco
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MEALS
Day 1:
- A boxed lunch
- Dinner on will be at one of Aguas Calientes' top-rated restaurants on TripAdvisor (e.g., Mapacho or a comparable restaurant)
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Day 2:
- Breakfast will be provided by the hotel
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EQUIPMENT / ACCOMMODATIONS
- First Aid Kit
- Oxygen Tank
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Day 1
- Private room (double occupancy) at a top-rated hotel in Aguas Calientes (e.g., Panorama B&B, La Cabaña, El Quetzal or one on par with these hotels)
These extras and upgrades come as standard services when you book with
Banderitas Adventures in Cusco
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WHAT IS NOT Included
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HUAYNA PICCHU / MACHU PICCHU MOUNTAINS
- Ticket to climb either Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain on Day 2. It may be purchased through us for $30 USD. Please let us know as soon as you book if you wish to purchase a ticket as they are subject to availability.
> click for more information <
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EQUIPMENT for RENT
- Trekking Poles (rubber-tipped, per pair) $5 USD
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SINGLE-OCCUPANCY ACCOMMODATIONS
(Not applicable to solo travelers paying double)
- For your own hotel room based on availability $85 to $95 USD
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MEAL
- Lunch on Day 2
(you will have many restaurants and cafes to choose from in Aquas Calientes)
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GRATUITIES
Huayna Picchu & Machu Picchu Mountains
During your visit to Machu Picchu Citadel, you'll have the option to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. We prefer that you decide upon booking your trek as entrance tickets are limited to 400 per day per mountain. Tickets for each mountain cost $30 USD. Both are moderately challenging hikes with stunning views from the top. Climbing and descending Huayna Picchu, on average, takes 2 to 2.5 hours; Machu Picchu can take 3 to 3.5 hours. Tickets to Huayna Picchu tend to sell out quickly, but don’t be discouraged if they’re sold out during your visit; Machu Picchu mountain may not be as popular to climb, but it is less crowded, and the views are just as beautiful, if not more.