Day 1: Sacred Valley of the Incas to Aguas Calientes
This tour begins in Cusco at 8:10 a.m., with the meeting point at the Okidoki office (located inside Okidoki Hostel). From there, we board our private tour bus.
We drive for approximately one hour to reach Pisac, the first village of the Sacred Valley. Here, we’ll visit a traditional local handicraft market and explore the Inca archaeological site, where our professional guide will explain its history and cultural significance.
Afterwards, we continue our journey through the valley to the town of Urubamba, known as the capital of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Here, we will enjoy a delicious buffet lunch (included).
Chinchero
Moray
Salineras
Then we will continue on our bus to the archaeological site of Ollantaytambo where we will explore with our professional guide who will show us the Inkas temples, agricultural terraces, controls, astronomical sites.
Then we will have some free time before boarding our train at 6:30 p.m. to Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night in a hostel with private services.
Day 2: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – AGUAS CALIENTES – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO
We’ll start the day very early with a light breakfast before taking the first bus to Machu Picchu at 5:20 a.m. We’ll arrive around 6:00 a.m., just in time to witness the magical sunrise over the citadel.
Our guided tour will last approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, during which you’ll explore the most important and iconic areas of Machu Picchu.
After the tour, you’ll take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll have free time to explore the town, relax, or enjoy lunch at your own pace.
In the afternoon, we’ll board the train at 2:30 p.m. to Ollantaytambo, arriving around 4:30 p.m. From there, a private bus will take us back to Cusco, arriving at approximately 7:00 p.m. — or even earlier.
TRAVEL NOTE:
If you wish to hike an additional mountain such as Huayna Picchu (reservation required 4 months in advance during high season from May to September) or Machu Picchu Mountain (reservation required 15 days in advance), please let us know.
Available return train schedules:
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2:30 p.m. – Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, then bus to Cusco (Arrival: 6:30 p.m.).
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6:30 p.m. – Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, then bus to Cusco (Arrival: 10:30 p.m.).
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9:30 p.m. – Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, then bus to Cusco (Arrival: 1:30 a.m. the next day).
Note: The last train option (9:30 p.m.) must be booked 2 to 3 days before the trip.
Important points
Reservation and Cancellation Conditions
To make a reservation for the Salkantay Trek, you must provide the exact departure date.
Please note: Changes or cancellations are not allowed once the reservation is made.
Reservation Deposit
To confirm your booking and secure your participation in the trek, a deposit is required.
This deposit is used to reserve all services included in the trek, especially the Machu Picchu entrance ticket.
⚠️ Machu Picchu tickets are personal, non-refundable, non-transferable, and cannot be modified in date.
Cancellation Policy
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Cancellations or changes of date are not accepted.
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If you cancel, you will lose your deposit — no refunds will be given.
Why?
Your deposit is not a profit for us — it is used to purchase your Machu Picchu ticket and secure services with our local partners. These advance payments cannot be canceled, and canceling them would mean we lose the deposits made to third parties.
We are committed to organizing your trek with the highest standards, and that requires firm reservations made in advance. When we reserve spots with our providers, we are blocking availability that could be given to other travelers. Therefore, we ask for serious commitment when booking.
Student Discount Requirements
Please read this section carefully to avoid misunderstandings:
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❌ The ISIC card is not valid (due to frequent forgeries).
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❌ University certificates, notes, letters, or internship documentation are also not accepted.
✅ To qualify for the $20 student discount, you must present a valid university student card that meets the following:
🛂 We also need:
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A copy of your original passport.
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A scan or photo of your university card (plastic PVC only, not paper or cardboard).
This documentation will be sent to government authorities for validation.
The student discount applies only to the Machu Picchu ticket — not to the cost of the trek.
⚠️ Important: You must bring your original physical student ID on the trek.
If you don’t have it, your discounted ticket will be invalid, and you’ll need to purchase a new ticket — if spaces are available. Otherwise, you may not be able to enter Machu Picchu.
If you’re 25 years old or younger and meet all the requirements, please send us the documents before confirming your reservation.
Documents sent after confirmation will not be accepted for the discount.
If you are unsure about your eligibility, we recommend purchasing a regular adult ticket to avoid complications, as we are not responsible if the government rejects your student ID.
FAQs
🌄 What is Machu Picchu and why is it important?
Machu Picchu is a sacred Inca city built in the 15th century, set in a breathtaking landscape between the Andes Mountains and the Amazon rainforest. It is considered the most important material legacy of the Inca civilization.
Its massive stone walls and terraces appear to rise organically from the cliffs. This unique setting led UNESCO to declare it a Mixed World Heritage Site (Cultural and Natural) in 1983.
In 2007, it was also chosen as one of the New 7 Wonders of the Modern World, making it one of the top global travel destinations.
🏛️ What are the main areas of Machu Picchu?
1. Agricultural Area:
Includes over 600 terraces used not only for farming, but mainly as support structures to prevent landslides. You’ll also see ancient warehouses (colcas), llama corrals, and a watchhouse with incredible views.
2. Urban Area:
This is where you’ll find sacred structures such as the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana Pyramid, ceremonial fountains, plazas, and homes of the Inca elite. Each stone structure showcases the architectural mastery of the Incas.
📍 Where is Machu Picchu located?
It is located in the Urubamba province, in the Cusco region of southern Peru, at about 2,430 meters (7,970 ft) above sea level. You can reach it by train, car, or on foot via treks such as the Inca Trail, Salkantay Trek, or Inca Jungle.
🛤️ What are the different ways to reach Machu Picchu?
You can get to Machu Picchu by:
🧳 What should I bring with me?
See our checklist in the “What You Need to Bring” section: essentials include your passport, comfortable shoes, sun protection, personal medication, and a small backpack.
🕒 When is the best time to visit Machu Picchu?
The dry season (May to October) offers better weather, but it is also the busiest. The rainy season (November to March) sees fewer tourists and lush green scenery—just bring waterproof gear.
⚠️ Do I need to book in advance?
Yes, especially if you plan to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. These tickets often sell out 3–4 months in advance during high season.
🔒 How is Machu Picchu protected for the future?
Due to high tourist traffic, the Peruvian government implemented sustainable tourism policies. These include entry time slots, maximum visitor limits, and a master plan that includes a visitor center, access bridges, and improved conservation efforts.
📖 Extra questions you may have:
Q: How long can I stay inside Machu Picchu?
A: Visits are typically limited to 4 hours, depending on the circuit and ticket.
Q: Can I enter more than once with the same ticket?
A: No. Once you exit the citadel, re-entry is not allowed unless you buy a separate ticket.
Q: Is there a place to eat or rest inside Machu Picchu?
A: No food is allowed inside the archaeological site. Snacks can be consumed outside or in Aguas Calientes.
Q: Are there restrooms inside Machu Picchu?
A: Restrooms are only available at the entrance, so plan accordingly.
