Biking And Trekking To The Lost City Of The Incas 4 Days / 3 Nights
Machu Picchu
Imbued with a magical silence, 120km (74mi) from Cusco on the slopes above the Urubamba River, lies one of the worlds most extraordinary archaeological sites. Machu Picchu (2400m / 7872ft) is probably the most familiar symbol of the Inca Empire. It is thought that the city was built by the Sapaq Inca Pachacuti, starting in about 1440, and was inhabited until the Spanish conquest of Peru in 1532. Archaeological evidence (together with recent work on early colonial documents) shows that Machu Picchu was not a conventional city, but a country retreat town for Inca nobility. The site has a large palace and temples dedicated to Inca deities Inca deities around a courtyard, with other buildings for support staff. It is estimated that a maximum of only about 750 people resided in Machu Picchu at any one time, and probably only a small fraction of that number lived in the town during the rainy season and when none of the nobility were visiting.
Machu Picchu, its name comes from the ancient Quechua word that means “Old Mountain”. This site was built entirely of stone, using every space in harmony with function. Machu Picchu has been known as the “Lost City of the Incas”.
The most common way is to take the train to Machu Picchu in the morning, explore the ruins and the afternoon return to Cusco. An other better option is stay overnight in Aguas calientes and the next day to get in earlier to the complex.
“Machu Picchu is a trip to the serenity of the soul, to eternal fusion with the cosmos, there we feel our own fragility. It is one of the greatest marvels of South America. A resting place of butterflies at the epicenter of the great circle of life. One more miracle”. Pablo Neruda (poet).el and end service.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco - Sacred Valley Of The Incas - Abra Malaga - Santa Maria
We will leave from Cusco at 7am in our private 4x4 vehicle, drive into sacred valley of the Incas, through Chincheros, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo until we reach Abra Malaga (4350m). From there we will begin our bicycle tour to Santa Maria (downhill and cross country). In this experience we will see archeological centers like Huamanmarca and Inca jail, and an incredible landscape. We will be able to appreciate birds of the tropics, as well as medicinal plants in the cloud forest. This trip also takes us past many exotic fruits plantation such as mango, pineapple, papaya, avocado, coffee, and coca plants. We can take samples and enjoy the different flavors of the region. We can also observe the coca and coffee plantations and see local families in their daily routine. We will have dinner in Santa Maria town nearby river. Stay in tents or basic familiar accommodation (B-L-D).
Day 2: Santa Maria - Santa Teresa
At 6am breakfast and then trekking along the banks of the Vilcanota River about 2 kms. From San Pablo we will go up to Inca jail where we will see waterfalls, and archeological centers of the Inca time. Plenty time to relax in the thermal baths, observation of the wildlife of this region. Have lunch at Inca jail. After 6 hours of trekking camp nearby of Santa Teresa town (B-L-D).
Day 3: Santa Teresa - Mandor Waterfall - Putucusi - Aguas Clientes
Trekking into the jungle canyon to the Mandor waterfall. The hike is flat for 5 hours, and we will see the mountains of San Miguel, visit the Putucusi viewpoint, located at the top of this mountain, nice award of Machu Picchu on the other side of the Urubamba River. Have lunch next to the river and continue hiking to the town of Aguas Calientes. Today is one of the best opportunities for bird watching along this day, the most common bird in this area is the cock of rock (Peruvian national bird). Stay at the selected hotel in Aguas Calientes, optional visit the hot sprig next to this town (B-L-D).
Day 4: Machu Pichu - Cusco
Early morning breakfast at the hotel and trekking up to Machu Picchu before the sunrise come up. To be the first people in the citadel is one of the best options on all day. Completely guide tour to Inca remain, free time to explore independently this Inca sacred city, if the time permitting climb to Wayna Picchu, the climb takes one and half hour. At 2pm is time to descend by van to Aguas Calientes. Backpacker train back to Cusco. Stay at the selected hotel in Cusco (B-S).
B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner S = Snack
Included
- Official English speaking guide for biking and trekking (two guides for groups over 8 persons)
- Public bus (backpacker service) or private van (private VIP service) for transfer from Cusco to Abra Malaga
- GT/TREK Mountain bikes (aluminum tubing - disk brake - shimano gear)
- Helmet and wind proof gloves
- Experienced cook
- Cooking equipment
- Teatime everyday (coffee, tea, popcorn, biscuit)
- Local family lodge to saty in Santa Maria and Santa Teresa
- Over night in a hotel of Aguas Calientes
- All meals on the trail (3 breakfast - 3 lunches - 3 dinners)
- Tourist bus from Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes, most of other companies dont include this service
- Backpacker train back from Aguas Calientes to Cusco
- New shimano parts and repair kit
- PERU ADVENTURE TOURS gift
- Biking & Trekking price include all local sales tax (19% as know IGV)
- First aid kit and oxygen bottle for any participant and our camp staff
| TOUR SCHEDULE & COST | ||
| DATE | TOUR | COST |
| Any day (Except Dec. to April) |
MACHU PICCHU ADVENTURE TOUR Biking And Trekking To The Lost City Of The Incas 4 Days / 3 Nights |
Backpacker service (Public bus) 1 to more paticipants US$415 each Private VIP service (Private van/guide) 2 participants US$715 each 3-4 paticipants US$675 each 5 to more participants US$555 each |
| Discount 5%: South American Explorers Club Discount 10%: Members and Tour Operators only Students: US$5 discount only with valid green ISIC card |
||
| Organized Groups: We offer private and any time departure | ||
| Group size: 8 participants per guide | ||
| We highly recommended to book space prior your arrival to Peru | ||
IMPORTANT:
Every night keep everything locked up in your tents to prevent any problems with robberies.Not Included
- Alcoholics drinks
- Sleeping bag, can be hired in our office US$5 per day (-15ºC)
- Breakfast on the first day and lunch on the last day
- Tips for guide and camp staff
- Optional entrance to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes (US$3 last day)
- 2 soles for towel to use in the hot spring
- Lunch on the last day in Aguas Calientes before the train back to Cusco
- Optional night in Aguas Calientes can be arranged easily
Rain Season
December to April. Some days are with blue sky permiting to cycle this zone.
Best Time For Cycle
After rain season (April to June) the mountains are completely covered with snow and the slops are covered with new variety vegetation making nicer for pictures. If you are adventurous and experienced biker you can do even the rain season, there are many single tracks along the way down.
Advice For Bikers
Normal physical conditions and summer clothes, bikers require good acclimatization over 4000m. One day before all the bikers will have meeting with the mountain bike guide at our office or your hotels, who will give a BRIEFING about this bike trip and also you can check the quality of bikes and gear will be used on this trip. This is available trip for beginners and people of all age, the road for downhill is in good conditions and not technical level, just nice downhill and cross country on the last part of the trip.
Tour guide advice you to book trip with private supporting vehicle because some time people feel tired on the last part of the trip. Another facility taking PRIVATE VIP SERVICE the vehicle can be used to stop and visit places along the sacred valley of Incas between Cusco and Abra Malaga. Also when you will be biking is better to leave your personal items in the supporting vehicle making more comfortable your biking trip without backpack in your back. In case you book this trip with public bus (backpacker service) you don’t chance to visit part of the sacred valley and if you feel out continue biking you will need to push you own bike till Santa Maria, this is not usual but is not nice if some needs to do it.
Is recommendable have yellow fiber vaccination (malaria) because you will be 3 days in the high jungle. We never hear news about problems with malaria in this zone but are better to be prepared.
What You Need To Bring/Carry
- Small backpack
- Rain jacket or poncho (December - April)
- Tennis shoes
- One complete change of clothing
- Bottle of water and purification tablets (Micropur are recommended and can be bought in local pharmacies in Cusco/Peru)
- Flashlight and batteries
- Hat or cap to protect you from the sun
- Sun block (sun protection cream)
- Insect repellent
- Toiletries, towel and toilet paper
- Selection of small snacks, chocolate, dried fruit, biscuits etc,
- Camera, plenty of film and spare batteries
- Sunglasses
- Swimsuit (for the hot springs in Santa Teresa and Aguas Calientes)
- Extra soles.
Stay an extra night at Aguas Calientes?
Stay an extra night at Aguas Calientes? Yes, if you want to stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes after biking and trekking tour this can easily be arranged. We will purchase your train ticket to return to Cusco the following day. You need to let us know at the time of making the trek reservation so we can reserve your train tickets in advance. Obviously if you stay an extra night then you will have to pay for your accommodation.Local kids and adults
Along the way you will met many people, specially kids walking long distance to arrive at school and study 5 hours and they back home after maybe 30 minutes or 2 – 4 hours depending how far they live from the school. Normally they are son or daughter of poor farmers living on the mountains. We strongly recommend help us to give some present to them like pencils, notebook, dictionaries, toys, clothes (socks, gloves, hat, t-shirt, etc) and something to eat. We don’t recommend giving them things like candies, chew gun, soda, camping knife or money. If you really like to make picture of them, especially of adults we strongly advise you to ask first. If you don’t speak any word of Spanish language (español) coordinate with your guide to see if is possible to have picture of them. Local people don’t permit take picture of them, because they believe you taking their spirit on your camera.
