Ollantaytambo

Culture & history

Your professional tour guide will pick you up from your accommodation in the historic center of Cusco, or from a nearby meeting point, between 6:00 AM and 6:30 AM. Travel first to Chinchero, a small rustic town with a long tradition of textile weaving. See various textiles woven using traditional Incan techniques, followed by a visit to the first archaeological site and a beautiful old church. Next, you will visit Moray and see the agricultural terraces built along the hillsides. These terraces were built by the Incas to grow an abundance of crops on less-than-ideal mountain terrain. Right next to this area, at Moras, there are over 5000 salt ponds which were used by the Incas for salt extraction. This helped preserve their foods for long periods. After learning about Incan agricultural techniques, make your way to Urubamba, the capital of the Sacred Valley, for a buffet lunch. After lunch, make your way to two historical towns, Ollantaytambo and Pisaq. At Ollantaytambo, you will climb over 200 steps to reach the top of the ancient terraced fortress that overlooks the town. This was an important defensive location during Incan times. At Pisaq, you will also visit an archaeological site and learn about its important history, followed by some time to shop for souvenirs and local crafts.

Start the adventure by picking up your accommodation within the historic center of the city of Cusco, traveling by tourist bus to the train station in Ollantaytambo (approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes). Boarding the train to Aguas Calientes (approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes), arrival at the train station in Aguas Calientes (also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo). Assistance from the agency to take the bus to the entrance gate of Machu Picchu (approximately 25 minutes), Guided tour of Machu Picchu (approximately 2 hours), after the guided tour, assistance to take the bus back to the town from Aguas Calientes (approximately 25 minutes), free time to have lunch on your own in one of the typical restaurants in the area, at the previously indicated time, you must be at the Aguas Calientes train station to board the train to destination to Ollantaytambo station (approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes), when you arrive at Ollantaytambo station, the bus will be waiting to take you back to your accommodation in Cusco (approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes).

The first stop on this full-day tour from Cusco is the Mirador of Taray for spectacular views of the Andes and the Sacred Valley. Continue to the town of Pisac, the site of a popular market.. Visit the archaeological site and see the agricultural terraces, Inca cemeteries and royal buildings. Continue to Urubamba and enjoy a buffet lunch at a restaurant. Head to Ollantaytambo, built to guard the entrance to Machu Picchu, and to protect the Incas from possible invasions. Visit the picturesque village of Chinchero on the way back to Cusco, and see the remains of the royal estate of Tupac Inca Yupanqui. See also how locals dye alpaca wool with natural plants of the region.

Explore Cusco's Sacred Valley and see Incan Ruins, Salt Mines, and textile production. Make stops in Moray, Chinchero, Ollantaytambo, and Pisac on this full-day tour by van. Be picked up from your hotel in Cusco in the morning before heading to an archaeological zone and textile center located in Chinchero. See how locals dye alpaca wool with natural plants of the region. Visit the archaeological site in Chinchero and see its terraces before moving on to Moray to learn about the history of the Incas and wonder at their mysterious circular terraces. Head to the nearby village of Maras and learn about its history as a center for salt production at the Maras Salt Mines. Admire the unique quilt work of over 3,000 salt ponds spilling into the Sacred Valley. Travel to Urubamba and enjoy a buffet lunch at a local restaurant. Stop at the ruins of Ollantaytambo and marvel at the remarkable Incan architecture built during the Incan Empire's heyday. See an amazing rock formation that represents the Incan god of Wiracocha. Arrive at the last tour stop, the archaeological site of Pisac, after which you will visit the nearby town. Return to Cusco and be dropped off in the town center after the tour is over.

Explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas on this full-day tour that includes hotel pickup from the Cusco historic center. See archaeological sites at Chinchero, Ollantaytambo and Pisac, the Maras Salt Mines, and textile production sites. Savor a tasty buffet lunch that includes a vegetarian option. Begin with an early morning pickup from your hotel in the Cusco historic center. Relax on the scenic drive to Chinchero where you can step back in time at the archaeological sites and stroll through its colorful artisan market. Head to the town of Maras and capture pictures of the sprawling salt mines where salt has been gathered from hillside pools since Inca times. Continue to the mountain-surrounded town of Urubamba for a delicious buffet lunch. After lunch, travel to Ollantaytambo, to take in the Ollantaytambo ruins where there is a a massive Inca fortress, a Sun Temple, and the Princess Baths fountain. Finally, visit the town of Pisac to discover the the Pisac archaeological site and go for a stroll in a vibrant artisan market. Return to the city of Cusco in the early evening and be dropped off in the main square where you can find a nice place to have dinner after your tour. Note: Because we will be visiting 5 tourist atractions, take a note that the time to visit each one will be limited and the information will be given on the bus.

Marvel at one of the New Seven Wonders of the World on this day trip to Machu Picchu from Cusco. Soak up the scenery from a panoramic train, take a guided tour of the Inca sanctuary, and enjoy lunch before returning to Cusco. Start your tour bright and early with pickup at your hotel in Cusco. Head to Ollantaytambo Train Station to board the Vistadome panoramic train to Aguas Calientes, the closest town to Machu Picchu. During the 1.5-hour train journey, appreciate the fascinating scenery along the sacred Vilcanota River. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, meet your guide and board a bus for a 30-minute ride up to the main entrance gate of Machu Picchu. Enter the UNESCO World Heritage Site with your guide and learn about the history, traditions, and more surrounding this mysterious and enigmatic Inca citadel. Afterward, board the bus back to Aguas Calientes for lunch. After lunch, board the train back to Ollantaytambo where your driver will be waiting for you holding a sign with your name on it. From the train station, drive back to your hotel in Cusco for drop-off.

Day 1: Hiking to Machu Picchu Your short Alpaca Expeditions Inca Trail tour to Machu Picchu starts with you being picked up from your hotel from 4 to 4:30 AM. Next, we’ll go to the train station and leave on the 6:40 a.m. train from Ollantaytambo. The trail follows the Urubamba River until we reach Km 104, where we’ll begin our trek. Along the way, you’ll see spectacular views of farmlands, snow-capped mountains, and the mighty Urubamba River. After hiking for three hours we’ll reach the most beautiful Incan site on the Inca Trail Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young) at 2,600 m/8,500 ft. Few people get the opportunity to see these elaborate water fountains, temples and agricultural terraces. A few minutes of walking from there and you’ll arrive at the Alpaca Expeditions campsite used by hikers who have chosen to do the Classic Inca Trail. Here you’ll be able to enjoy the hot homemade lunch that’s been freshly cooked by Alpaca Expeditions’ chefs. From Wiñay Wayna, we’ll walk to the Sun Gate. After taking photos and exploring the area, we’ll take the bus down to Aguas Calientes and head to your hotel. After that, we’ll head to the restaurant for dinner (included). After dinner, we recommend going to bed early to make the most of the next day. Day 2: Visit Machu Picchu “Lost City of the Incas” and return to Cusco We’ll wake up early so that we can catch one of the first busses so that we can catch the striking sunrise at Machu Picchu. You’ll have a two-hour guided walking tour by your private English-speaking Alpaca Expeditions guide. After that, you’ll have time to explore Machu Picchu by yourself. Those who have tickets to Huayna Picchu will have time to climb the mountain, which takes approximately an hour and a half round-trip. After exploring you can either take a bus or walk down to Aguas Calientes for a free afternoon. You’ll need to remember to catch your train, which will depart that afternoon to Ollantaytambo. Once you arrive at the station in Ollantaytambo we will be there to meet you and drive you back to Cusco and we will drop you off at your hotel.

Start your adventure with pickup from your accommodation in Cusco. Travel by tourist bus to Ollantaytambo (approx. 1.5 hours) and board the train to Aguas Calientes (approx. 1.75 hours). Upon arrival, receive assistance to take the bus to Machu Picchu's entrance (approx. 25 minutes). Enjoy a 2-hour guided tour of the citadel. Afterward, take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll have free time for lunch. Return to Ollantaytambo by train (approx. 1.75 hours) and then a bus back to your Cusco accommodation (approx. 1.5 hours). Pick-Up in Cusco: Collect your accommodation in the historic center of Cusco. Travel to Ollantaytambo: Take a tourist bus to the Ollantaytambo train station (approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes). Train to Aguas Calientes: Board the train to Aguas Calientes (approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes). Arrival in Aguas Calientes: Arrive at the Aguas Calientes train station (also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo). Transfer to Machu Picchu: Assistance to take the bus to the entrance gate of Machu Picchu (approximately 25 minutes). Guided Tour: Enjoy a guided tour of Machu Picchu (approximately 2 hours). Return to Aguas Calientes: After the tour, assistance to take the bus back to Aguas Calientes (approximately 25 minutes). Free Time for Lunch: Free time to have lunch on your own in one of the typical restaurants in the area. Train Back to Ollantaytambo: At the designated time, be at the Aguas Calientes train station to board the train back to Ollantaytambo (approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes). Return to Cusco: Upon arrival at Ollantaytambo station, the bus will be waiting to take you back to your accommodation in Cusco (approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes). Note: Options are subject to availability. Since there are various circuits at Machu Picchu, the most traditional is Circuit 2A. If Circuit 2A is fully booked, you can choose from Circuit 3 or 5. When making your reservation, if Circuit 2A is not available, you may opt for Circuit 3 or 5.

Get to know Machupicchu on an unforgettable trip with our full-day train excursion. Your adventure begins with a hotel pickup service in Cusco (Morning). From there, we will take you to the Ollantaytambo train station for a 2-hour train ride to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival, you will board a bus to Machu Picchu, where our expert guide will take you on a fascinating 2-hour tour of Circuit 2. You will explore the ancient ruins and learn about their history. After the guided tour, you will have free time to explore Machu Picchu at your own pace. Enjoy the stunning views. We will return to Aguas Calientes by bus, where you can have lunch before taking the train back to Ollantaytambo. From there, we will take you by bus back to Cusco,

During this Sacred Valley day tour, go to the must-visit sites of Cusco and have a chance to try traditional Incan beer. Get picked up from your hotel in Cusco's city center and head to your first stop, Mirador Taray.  Take in the spectacular views of the Andes and the Sacred Valley to prepare for your day of discovery.  Continue to the town of Pisac, the site of a popular market. See how locals dye alpaca wool with natural plants of the region. Visit the archaeological site and see its terraces, Incan cemeteries, and royal buildings.  Afterward, move on to Moray to learn about the history of the Incas and wonder at their mysterious circular terraces. Head to the nearby village of Maras and learn about its history as a center for salt production at the Maras Salt Mines. Admire the unique quilt work of over 3,000 salt ponds spilling into the Sacred Valley. From here, go to Urubamba and enjoy a buffet lunch at a local restaurant. Continue with a drive along the Urubamba River towards the town of Ollantaytambo to visit the ruins. Marvel at the remarkable Incan architecture built during the Incan Empire's heyday. In addition to the ruins, see an amazing rock formation that represents the Incan god of Wiracocha. After your time at the ruins, choose to return to Cusco with your guide or to stay in Ollantaytambo so you can continue your personal travels to Machu Picchu.