Finally, our tour ends with a visit to the impressive Machu Picchu. You will wake up around 4:00 am to prepare for the hike to the main entrance of Machu Picchu. Each person will be given a packed breakfast and we will begin the 30-minute walk to the Puente Ruinas checkpoint where you will need to show your passport, Machu Picchu ticket, and student ID if applicable. After passing the first checkpoint, we will climb the stairs for about an hour to reach the main gate of Machu Picchu at 6:00 am. Once everyone gathers at the gate, we enter Machu Picchu and begin our 2.5 hour guided tour of the infamous ruins, where you will learn all about The Lost City of the Incas. After the guided tour, you will have free time to explore Machu Picchu on your own. The time you will spend in Machu Picchu will depend on how you are returning to Cusco (train or car) and whether or not you wish to climb Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu Mountain, which must be booked in advance.
We offer you two options to return to Cusco:
BY TRAIN: The train is a beautiful way to return to Cusco and also allows you more time (about 7-8 hours) to visit Machu Picchu. If you plan to hike Huaynapicchu or Machu Picchu mountain, we strongly recommend that you take the train, as these hikes require a minimum of 3 hours to complete. You should return to Aguas Calientes in time for your train at 6:20 pm. You may want to give yourself extra time, as some people like to explore the town. You will travel by train for approximately 1.5 hours to Ollantaytambo, where you will then change to a car and finish the last 2 hours of the trip, arriving in Cusco around 10:30 pm.
BY CAR: Returning to Cusco by car is a more economical option for those on a tight budget. However, keep in mind that with this option you will have less time to explore Machu Picchu, and if you plan to hike Huaynapicchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, you will have very little time. Returning to Cusco by car is a longer trip (a 6-hour trip in total), as there are no roads leading to Aguas Calientes and the driver must take a longer return route. If you are taking a car back, you will need to leave Machu Picchu at 12:00 a.m. and take the 3-hour hike back to Hidroeléctrica, where you will meet the car at 3:00 p.m. If you are considering this option and planning to hike Huaynapicchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, we recommend that you stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes and return to Cusco by car on the 6th day so that you can fully enjoy the experience.